To the editor:

A California pet store linked to Kansas puppy mills? No surprise! Too often people with more money than good sense buy a puppy (on impulse) from a pet store.

The general manager of the California store said that we only get our puppies from the best breeders. Well, the “best” breeders never sell to dealers or pet stores. They carefully try to match their puppies with the right homes, asking many questions of prospective buyers.

The “best” breeders do genetic testing to produce healthy puppies. They only breed those dogs with stable temperaments and try to improve the quality of their breed. The “best” breeders insist that non-breeding quality (pets) be spayed or neutered to reduce the chance of accidental litters. The shelters are overflowing with these “accidents.”

If you want to have a healthy, happy puppy, do your homework. Contact the national breed club online or check with the local kennel club for referrals. Whether you rescue a shelter dog or buy your next friend, remember this is a long-term commitment lasting 12 or more years.

Jane Tusten,

Lawrence