Animals in Pet Shops | ZENOAQ [Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.]

The subject of pet shops and animal businesses in Japan has been brought up over and again. Though the issues faced by the country in this area are not unique and may be seen in other places that certainly is no excuse to let them remain unresolved. Of the several serious problems, one that is increasingly becoming the focus of public concern are the auctions, especially for puppy mill dogs that are the major source of animals for most pet shops in Japan.

There are several auction sites throughout the country where the puppy millers will take their newborn purebred dogs to sell to the highest bidders. It is literally a "wholesale market" where pet shop staff come to buy "their ware" much like a grocer would at a wholesale market for farm products. Since the puppies must be "cute and appealing" to the end customer when lined up at the pet shops, it is essential that they not be too advanced in age at the point of sales. This means that the puppies must leave their mother far earlier than the minimum of 50 ~ 60 days that any sensible dog person would recommend, in order for there to be enough time for them to be transported to the auction site, sold and then once again be transported to their respective point of sales. Early separation from mother and litter, being transported multiple times, being displayed and handled at the auction site, then finally being displayed at the pet shop, sometimes, believe it or not, in shops that stay open way past mid-night, are all serious stress factors that can add up to make a puppy very, very sick.

But unfortunately, latest statistics have revealed that close to 70% of pet shops that sell puppies, purchase these puppies through this notorious auction route. Why? Because they are looking for quantity and low prices, and not for quality. And how can they afford to do that as entrepreneurs? The answer is simple. They can do so because there are consumers who will choose their companion dogs for outward looks and affordable (or rather "cheap!") prices. In other words without a viable consumer education program pet shops will continue to sell whatever puppies they can lay their hands on, auctions will thrive, and puppy mills will carry on with their businesses.

Fortunately, however, the national animal welfare law will come up for review during the next session of the Diet and some sort of restriction on pet businesses, be it a certification or registration procedure for legitimacy, is one of the main points most likely to be considered as a part of the revisions that may take place. If this does indeed happen, then the "sellers", at least, will have to meet certain criteria or conditions in order to stay in businesses. How strict these conditions will be is, of course, an entirely different matter. At the same time it is imperative that consumer education take place in some form, preferably a form that is far more aggressive than what has been done in the past. Needless to say, aggressive here does not necessarily mean "militant", it means rather a "louder" and wider out reach program to the end consumers about what to look for when seeking a quality companion animal. Without this education a change in the law would not be as effective. Though the analogy may be bad, "illegitimate organizations make fortunes out of contraband because the demand is there" ...... future owners are the only ones that can truly put a stop to puppy milling.

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