PETS, PETS, PETS, SOMERSET NJ - PET STORE SOLD ME A SICK DOG

PETS, PETS, PETS, SOMERSET NJ - PET STORE SOLD ME A SICK DOG

July 4, 2006 - Business Reply - From: Email User

RE: Complaint against Pets Pets Pets

Dear Sir/Madam:

Your web site has a complaint indicating that my store, Pets Pets Pets, sold a sick dog to Mariko Parr. This complaint is without merit and my attorney has settled this situation. In fact, this puppy was certified healthy 3 days after purchase and became sick 4 days later due to neglect by Miss Parr. Please remove the complaint from your web site. Please respond to let me know the timeframe when I can expect this complaint to be removed.

Respectfully yours,

Howard Berkowitz

September 11, 2004 - Consumer Message:

yORKIE TERRIER/ PET STORE SOLD ME A SICK DOG

complaint against: PETS, PETS, PETS

2 JFK BLVD

SOMERSET NJ 08902

On September 2, 2004 I purchased a Female Yorkie Terrier from Pets, Pets, Pets in the amount of $1,700.00. I called Easton Ave Animal Clinic while I was still in the store to schedule her first veterinarian appointment for 09/07/2004. Note:

Howe (store owner) gave me 5 to 7 pills to give her b/c of a runny nose. Owner stated that this was common in most puppies and I had nothing to worry about. 09/04/2004 On September 04, 2004 I bought the puppy back to the store b/c I wanted to return her for the following reasons: 1. Puppy would sleep all-day, up to 17 hours

2. Puppy didn’t interact with myself or family members

3. Puppy seemed tired all of the time (no energy).

4. Runny nose and coughing

5. We would have to wake her up to feed her Store associate advised me that Howe was not available and he couldn’t help me or make any decisions regarding the return of this puppy. When I left the pet store that day I requested that he have Howe call me. Later that afternoon, I called back b/c I never got a return call. I was told that he left for the day and to call back tomorrow. I advised the gentleman on the phone of the behavior of this puppy and he told me it was normal for puppies to sleep all-day and to give her Gatorade for energy. I followed his instructions and advised him again that I wanted to return this puppy, but he said that he couldn’t do anything for me at this time. I left my name and number for the 2nd time and advised him to

have Howe call me back as soon as possible.

09/05/2004 I attempted to call Howe again, but I was given the same story that the owner was not available. This is now my 3rd message.

09/07/2004 On September 7, 2004 I took the puppy to her Veterinarian appointment at Easton Ave Animal Clinic, which was scheduled at date of purchase. Note: Easton Ave Animal Clinic is the veterinarian for Pets, Pets, Pets I advised the doctor that I was very concerned about this puppy b/c of the following reason above. My main concern at this point was that this puppy was sleeping way too much and this behavior wasn’t normal. I was also concerned b/c her runny nose didn’t clear up and she was coughing. He never addressed my main issues and gave me medication (CEFA-DROPS/ CEFADROXIL) for an infection and deemed her to be healthy. I advised him that I didn’t agree with his observation and I thought that this puppy was unhealthy and unfit. I stated that something very serious was wrong with her, but he disregarded my concerns. At that point, I advised that I was going to seek a second opinion and the veterinarian advised me that this situation was between Howe & I. 09/09 2004 On September 9, 2004 my daughter came home from school and found the puppy to be unconscious and nearly dead. I called Pets, Pets, Pets and spoke with a young lady and advised her of the situation. I then called my daughter back with the pet store on the line to give my daughter instructions on how to help the puppy. I called my sister and she was 20 minutes away from the house. When she arrived she assisted my daughter and they took her to Easton Ave animal clinic.

When they arrived the office was closed, so she took her to Easton Clinic, which was 2 to 3 miles down the street. My sister saw the puppy about 2:00 pm that afternoon and she was sleeping. It didn’t raise any concerns at this point b/c that was apart of her normal behavior. My daughter can home around 3:45 to find the puppy nearly dead. I then arrived at the clinic maybe 20 minutes after my sister arrived. They veterinarian then advised me that she was very sick and they didn’t think she would make it through the night. They advised me to take her to Animerge, Pc for further assistance. I took the puppy to Animerge, Pc as requested and I advised the doctor of the entire situation. I explained to him that since the day I took her home the only thing she would do is sleep & didn’t have much energy to even eat. I advised of the appointment we had two days ago at Easton Ave Animal Clinic, but the veterinarian at clinic stated she was a

healthy puppy. Please review the following reports from Animerge: 1. Letter from Doctor at Animerge who certified that this animal was

not fit for purchase.

2. Bill from Animerge in the amount of $422.13

3. Report from Animerge stating Differential Diagnosis, Treatment

summary ETC.

* DIAGNOSIS: CONGENITAL DEFECT, SEVERE INFECTION, METABOLIC, TRAUMA EXPLANATION FOR UNFIT FOR PURCHASE:

LETHARGIC, DEPRESSED, TEMP AT 94.5, ANEMIC, MUCOID DIARRHEA,

SEMIRESPONSIVE DYSPNIC, BG(MAY BE DUE TO PRE TX OR MAY BE METABOLIC) R/O

CONGENITAL METABOLIC (SHUNK), INFECTION (SEVERE). I called Howe again and left him a message about the puppy with his sales associated. He finally returned my call and stated that he wasn’t responsible for the condition of this puppy because I let her fall into hypoglycemia. I explained to him that this puppy was sick from the very beginning and it was bad business to sell sick puppies to customers. I reminded him of the medication he gave me the day I purchased the puppy and how he said it was common for them to have runny noses.

09/10/2004 The very next day I picked up the puppy from Animerge around 8:00 am and they advised me that they were still very concerned with her health. He advised me to contact my Vet and take her there as soon as possible for further care. I took the puppy to Dr. Paulus in North Brunswick NJ around 8:45am and they kept her for observation until 6:00 pm that evening. I called Howe around 2:00 and also advised him writing that I wanted a full refund for this puppy and reimbursement for the medical expenses. He stated he wanted to speak to Dr. Paulus and then call me back. He returned my call maybe 1 hour later and advised me that he would issue a full refund in the amount of $1,700.00, but he would not reimburse me for the medical expenses. He also said he was doing this as a courtesy since I tried to return the puppy after the 2nd day I purchased her. I

pointed out that in the contract I signed with him on 09/02/2004 I had 48 hours to return pet. He also stated that the only way he would issue a refund for this puppy is if I signed an agreement releasing Pets, Pets, Pets for all of the medical expenses that I occurred for the care of this puppy. He stated that if I didn’t sign the agreement then he wouldn’t take the puppy back. I advised him that he was forcing me to sign this agreement and that he knew that the condition of this puppy was severe. He knew that I didn’t have the money, experience or support to care for her properly. I advised Howe that I was afraid to take her home b/c she wasn’t stable. I also pointed out that the contract stated the following: 1. If at anytime within the 14 days following the purchase of your puppy/kitten, a veterinarian certifies your pet to be “Unfit for chase due to a non-congenital cause”, Pets Pets Pets will offer one of the

following option with a certified letter from you veterinarian: A. To return the puppy/kitten and receive a refund of the purchase price, including sales tax, plus reimbursement of veterinary fees that incurred prior to your receipt of veterinary certification. I stated to Howe that I would review his term and that I would be at his store around 6:30 pm. I requested that the puppy stay with him until her conditions was better, but he refused to do so. He also stated if I dropped her off without signing his agreement that he would call the police and say that I abandon her. When I got to his office around 6:00 pm he wasn’t available once again. He left a faxed agreement with his staff for me to sign. I signed his agreement, but also stated on this agreement that I had no other choice to sign this agreement because it was the only way that he would issue a refund for this sick puppy. I also stated that Pets, Pets, Pets breached original contract signed on 09/02/2004 and I would be seeking a legal opinion. I stated that I submitted (unfit for purchase certification) and I was entitled for refund of puppy and medical expenses. The girl that he left in charge called Howe on the telephone and she must have read him what I wrote on contract. She came back 10 minutes later and stated that Howe will not take back puppy b/c of what I wrote on the contract. . At that point, I went back to Dr. Paulus to purchase the medication that would be needed to care for the puppy until she was stable. Pets, Pets, Pets, sold me a severally sick puppy and I don’t have the means to care for her properly. They have breached the contract that was singed on 09/02/2004 and refused to issue a refund unless I sign a release of reimbursement of medical bills. I’m requesting that Pets, Pets, Pets issue a full refund in the amount of $1,700.00 for the purchase of this puppy and reimbursement for all medical expenses I occurred. This is stated in my contract, but they refuse to do so.

Thank You

Mariko N. P

North Brunswick, NJ 08902

m p

Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: //

Comment On This

Pets Pets Pets is known for selling sick dogs since all of them are coming from puppy mills. Also their fish stock is always in bad shape.

Do yourself a favor and don't buy from this crook.

Dan

Comment On This

I have reported this store to NJ prevention of crulety to animals. I hope this store goes out of business and someone can love and save those animals. Whoever you are that bought this sick puppy and tried returning it you are sick! it is a puppy although u were misled to believe it was healtyh you should not return cause it was sick. Would you return your child if it was mentally ill??!?!? NO same goes for animals. If you could affor to pay $1700 for it you can afford to help save it!

If anyone else has witnessed the TERRIBLE conditions of Pets Pets Pets please report it to this site

http://www.njspca.org/report-abuse.htm

if you love animals please take 5 mins out of your day to complain about these appllaing people and the situation these animals are kept in.

Comment On This

I have walked into this place. The animals are kept into dirty conditions, one dog looked really sick. They let a shepperd dog out on the store and the poor animal was drinking from the fish tanks because he didn't have a water dispenser on his cage. The ASPCA should make a stop there!

And onto some other comments about pets prices....the shelters make it too difficult for people to adopt. If you want a puppy and don't have the patience to deal with the extensive questionaires, you pay the money. Shelters: Lighten up!

Comment On This

There are plenty of unwanted yet well cared for puppies and kittens in many shelters around NJ and PA. The shelters are filled with people that love animals and would take them all home if they could. They desperatly need people to adopt, with the lousey economy, people are dumping their animals at these shelters. These animals are in need of love and will be the best pets you ever had!

I also want to say, charging $1700.00 for a puppy is ridulous. And paying that much is even MORE ridiculous!!!!

Comment On This

I am very disappointed to read these comments. Pets Pets Pets has been in business for 23 years in this location. We have been selling puppies for almost 8 years and I do believe we are the most devoted puppy store in central NJ. I staff at least 3-6 people in the store at all times and at least one individual has the responsibility of keeping all cages clean and free of feces. If a cage has a mess in it we will never ignore it. Our puppies are vet checked on arrival and re-evaluated and kept current with their inoculations at least once per month.

Our puppies are socialized on a daily basis and we do our best to make sure every dog gets time out of his crate every day. We have worked very hard to make sure the puppies we buy come from quality breeders and not puppy mills.

I hope you will take the time to stop by the store ask for Howie (me) the owner and discuss any concerns you may have in the way we take care of our dogs, as well as our cats, fish, birds, reptiles and small animals. Replying anonymously on this website which provides no verification to its complaints does not provide for any resolutions.

Respectfully yours,

Howie Berkowitz

Owner and Devoted Pet Lover

Comment On This

I stopped by the Pets Pets Pets store in Somerset about a month ago to see their puppies. They all looked sick and neglected. One puppy was even eating its own feces. The customer next to me actually took the newspaper out of the cage. I feel sorry for all those puppies and I wish i could just take them all home with me. It was very depressing to see. Mariko, I am sorry to hear about your loss of your Yorkie. It seems as if the store owner has not made any changes since your incident in 2004 years to insure they are not selling sick pets.

Comment On This

If you don't have the means to care for a sick dog, you should not spend $1700 on a dog. Dogs get sick it's part of your responsibility as an owner to care for them.

I bought my puppy from Howard, and he's a happy healthy baby. In fact, howard offered to take him back when he found out he had 4 types of worms. We refused, got care for the dog, and moved on with our lives.

Comment On This

I have purchased three dogs from Pets Pets Pets. They are wonderful, happy dogs. I have also purchased two birds, a chameleon, an iguana, hamsters, mice and a rabbit. Not to mention a few fish. Howie is knowledgable and very fair. The people who work there know their jobs. Pets Pets Pets is a great employer for young people in the neighborhood who are enthusiastic about animals! Thank you Pets Pets Pets for your years of making my home warm and loving with healthy animals.

Comment On This

Mariko, I am sorry to hear this story. Pets, pets, pets is a place that me or anyone I know will NEVER be going.. The sad part is I feel like he is in it for money, and not the joy of bringing the love of a new puppy to a family... I hope all works out and if Pets, Pets, Pets does not refund your money then shame on them.

Comment On This

I love this pet store. I have bought 2 ferrets through them that were ordered from Marshall Ferrets. They turned out not only to be health, but the sweetest, most adorable and wonderful companions I could ever ask for. I plan on ordering from them again very soon. Also the store may not be the cleanest, but they have dogs, which are very pleasant, running around, Zeppelin playing on the radio, and happy associates who know alot about animals of every kind. Your situation is so sad and unfortunate, but I think it may have been just that. A mistake. You deserve all expenses, but as for the store, it is a lovely place.

Comment On This

I was going to take my new toy poodle to Easton Ave Animal Clinic. I don't think its going to happen after reading this story. Mariko Sorry to hear your experience.

Comment On This

Although I've never purchased a dog from this store, I have walked in to buy products. When you first come in the knob on the front door is falling off..... Once inside you can see that the store is filthy and so are the cages in which the dogs are kept in. The dogs themselves seem dirty and sad. These owners don't seem to care much about cleanliness or repairs. Very sad indeed...........