Basenji at the pet store!

Basenji Talk

  • I ran into the petstore today to visit the puppies- I like to say hi and show them some lovin' because I know how miserable they all are cramped up in those cages and there was a basenji! It broke my heart more than anything and I took him out and played with him, giving him lots of love.

    The petstore owners were trying to push him off on me like poor merchandise! :( Saying how good his breeders were (listed somewhere in MO) and he was and how my experience with basenjis would help. It's so sad!


  • Ive seen ONE since ive lived here in CT at the local Fin and Feather…its was a Tri...SOOOO Sad!!


  • There was actually a tan/white in the puppy store here that I had to go see. I don't want to know the breeder, because I think I may know who it is, because of how many basenji's I've seen in Greeley, and would rather not know. I can definitely relate to how hard it is to not take home all the little puppies and give them better homes. I am so tempted to pick it up for my parents to keep their dog company and my mom LOVES having Medjai sit with her during the day too. Whenever I'm at their house, when I leave, I come home to find Medjai just sleeping on my mom on the couch. I can't afford it though, and I don't think they want another dog either.


  • Please, as much as you want to, don't buy any basenji that is in the pet stores.
    Just don't do it.
    That just makes this store think this is a breed they can sell.
    Its awful, but the best think you can do is try to get b info into the sales packet for the buyer who gets this pup, and if not, then just keep walking.


  • Yeah, I know. Plus I'm on a waiting list for a puppy from a reputable breeder. I would love to just tell the store about all the possible health problems, and let them think they're more common, so they don't sell the pups anymore.


  • We would all like to get pet stores to understand about responsible breeders.. and health problems… chances are slim to none... sad as that is..... The people in the stores are told to say what will "sell" the pup... and to "heck" with what is real..... and they all tell the story that they came from a "real responsible" breeder... right... NOT


  • I did take some basenji info down to a pet store, and give it to the manager.
    I was polite, and tried to explain that we had lots of basenji activities that the new owner of the pup might want to learn about.
    I told them about the local lure coursing in the area, mentioned the breed club..that type of thing.
    I don't know if they gave the info to the new buyers, but it made me feel better that I did try to get some info out.
    Might be something to try….


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    I did take some basenji info down to a pet store, and give it to the manager.
    I was polite, and tried to explain that we had lots of basenji activities that the new owner of the pup might want to learn about.
    I told them about the local lure coursing in the area, mentioned the breed club..that type of thing.
    I don't know if they gave the info to the new buyers, but it made me feel better that I did try to get some info out.
    Might be something to try….

    Wow Sharron that's so awesome of you! Thanks for doing all you can to make sure our B's have a good future!

    What what it's worth, the breeder of this pup's name is Susan Mitchell and she's from MO. Anyone know any details?


  • That would break my heart to walk in a pet store and see a basenji. But that is why I won't go in pet stores that sell dogs and cats…that and I don't want to support their business in any way because they support puppy mills and bybs. We have a pet store locally that regularly advertises on the radio that you can buy your pure bred dog with payments as little as $10 a month. Geez.


  • Yes, and these pet stores do no education what so ever.
    Just cash and carry for the animal in the shop.
    Its just wrong!


  • Thank goodness that here in No. California very, very few pet stores exist that sell puppies/kittens…. Years ago however that was different... we all did the same, took info into the store about Basenjis and asked that whoever buys the pup, would they give them the information.... and most did, we knew that because then we were called to place the pup as a rescue.... sigh.......


  • Thank God its illegal to sell dogs in pet shops over here. I dont think i'd be able the stop myself from buying them just to get them out. It seems so cruel :( I hope that baby finds a lovely home…


  • Many pet stores in the area I live in have been going out of business lately. Hopefully, someday, there just won't be any left.

    I have only seen 1 basenji in a petstore & that was last summer. That petstore is actually now closed. They wanted $1200 for him!!! Oh & that was a "discounted" price since he was already 4 months old. I played with him just to get him out of his tiny cage. But, honestly, I could tell by his build & personality that he had come from a puppy mill. He looked…different. He didn't look pure-bred to me if that makes sense. His build was off. It's hard to explain how different this red/white boy was but I just knew he was "off" in some way from the pure breds I have been around.

    Anyway, enough of a rant. Petstores suck. It's sad to see any dogs, but specifically basenjis, in the window.


  • We can only educate those who will listen and be informed.
    We can only pray for the dogs we can't help.
    Sorry, but I have learned this doing rescue.


  • @sharronhurlbut:

    Please, as much as you want to, don't buy any basenji that is in the pet stores.
    Just don't do it.
    That just makes this store think this is a breed they can sell.
    Its awful, but the best think you can do is try to get b info into the sales packet for the buyer who gets this pup, and if not, then just keep walking.

    Reading this made my stomach sick. Trust me I know it's for the best but those poor Basenjis. I'm trying to block the thoughts that run thru my head what happens when nobody buys them.


  • When I take down the info re basenjis and local clubs, I always leave my card, in case the basenji doesn't sell.
    That way, they can contact me if they will give me the dog…
    Sadly, they just keep dropping the price until someone buys it.


  • I'm so happy there are now puppies sold here in petstores…
    In Belgium we see it sometimes, but never Basenji's..

    I think it's hard to resist taking him/here home...


  • @Buana:

    I'm so happy there are now puppies sold here in petstores…
    In Belgium we see it sometimes, but never Basenji's..

    I think it's hard to resist taking him/here home...

    Am I reading right, you are ok to see puppies sold in petstore???????????or did you meant no instead of now
    I though it was forbidden in Belgium to sell puppies in petstore.

  • Houston

    Kills me to see any dog caged. Heartbreaking. All I can do is love Pearl even more.

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