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Report: #395829

Complaint Review: Happiness Is Pets - Oak Lawn Illinois

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  • Reported By: Evergreen Park Illinois
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  • Happiness Is Pets 10338 S. Cicero Oak Lawn, Illinois U.S.A.

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Hopefully people looking to purchase a pet will research their pet stores ahead of time and google "Happiness is Pets" Unfortunately, I went there under the recommendation of a friend and immediately fell in love with a 3 1/2 month old Shihtzu. When I decided to purchase her I inquired about the breeders and was told that the family-owned business has used the same breeders for years and they are reputable and good. The sales girl even told me that she bought her dog from them as well.

It was not until I got my puppy home that a family member had noticed she was limping. I assumed that maybe she was stressed -unsure of her surroundings- surley nothing could be wrong with her! Two days later I took her into the vet for her "free physical" The doctor immediately told me she had kennel cough, and when I mentioned her limp she suggested they x-ray her. I am no veterinarian- FAR from it, but when that doctor brought the xray back, it was obvious that something was terribly wrong.

Her right back thigh bone was noticably smaller than ler left, and there was a sliver of a bone floating on the side of her leg. Turns out that sliver was her knee cap! The doctor knew it was serious and said she definately would need surgery and told me she would call the pet store. I decided that I would stop by the pet store and address the matter immediately. Mind you, by this time I had already named my dog, (Bernadette) bought her her bed, accessories, food, - essentially had already fallen in love with her. My five year old and husband did also.

When I went in the Happiness is Pets where I had purchased her three days prior, I was informed that the doctor had already called. They explained to me that I could get a full refund or an even exchange. I certainly had not anticipated this. It wasn't as if I had purchased a defective appliance. This was an animal! I asked the sales girl where the option was that I get to keep her and they help cover surgery costs. She then called the owner and he said that sometimes as the puppies grow their bones will "fall" into place (clearly he had no idea what the situation was). He said that if her knee cap did not heal itself and the surgery was necessary, I would be reimbursed for half of what I paid for her. - 300.00 for a 2,000 surgery!!!!

I am furious with this business. They are selling sick animals and they are a disgrace of a business. I love my dog and wouldn't trade her for anything. I believe this business takes advantage of their customers- using the emotional attachments people build with their pets to the business' advantage. Who is going to exchange a puppy after they have taken her home? - most likely to be put down?

My dog, Bernadette, needs to have this surgery in a couple months and I intend on demanding that Happiness is Pets cover the expenses. I do not mind that I spent 600.00 on my puppy - she is worth every penny- however, I purchased her under the pretense that she was healthy. - not with kennel cough and a gimp leg. If Happiness is Pets does not comply I am looking into taking them to small claims court. If anyone else wants to file a class action law suit, COUNT ME IN.

For anyone considering purchasing a pet from a pet store- PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH. Do not support businesses that con their costumers, such as Happiness is Pets.

Brighid
Evergreen Park, Illinois
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 11/28/2008 05:38 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/happiness-is-pets/oak-lawn-illinois-60453/happiness-is-pets-bad-business-sold-me-puppy-with-stage-four-patillar-luxation-2000-surg-395829. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
9Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#9 Consumer Comment

you're still not making any sense

AUTHOR: Devilsadvocate4education*just My Opinions* - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Thursday, January 22, 2009

*It seems to me that on the other post you said you had no affiliation with Happiness is pets, - affiliation n 1: a social or business relationship 2: the act of becoming formally connected or joined - another - noun an affiliating or being affiliated; connection, as with an organization, club, etc. - so what would posting here have to do with that? - I believe my research says they are in Illinoise and not nationwide? I haven't even ever BEEN to illinoise. So, not even possible.
*and now you are giving advice like you've been doing it your whole life! You seem to be an expert on medical procedures with dogs. - Thank you, yes I HAVE been working with animals, and people that own them, and other proffesionals which work with them ect. which gives me alot of experience. I've worked very hard to learn all I know, and have no intention of stopping. Again, how does this have anything to do with this post? If you do some research you will find it valid. LP's can generally be found during a physical examination. And I have yet to run into a good vet whom gets offended by a client educating themselves and participating in diagnosis and treatment. It IS all supposed to be about what benefits and is best for our pets, right? The best way to do that is to educate ourselves and to get as many other educated opinions as we can I think.
*Lies always catch up to you..... - What? LOL. What exactly are you referring to here?
Again, why exactly do I deserve to be attacked (feels like) for posting on a post having to do with this store? And oh yeah, I almost forgot, I DO have a dog with a low grade/mild lp whom does not at this point require surgery according to several vets, and will most likely never require surgery. He is a smaller breed, so, keep his weight under control, and watch the jumping. Of course, it is very common in his breed, and I knew that when I got him, if I didn't want it I would have chosen a different breed. Went into my responsibilities to him with my eyes wide open, and prepared for what I was likely to run into. Hoped for the best, kept my expectations reasonable, and so I am completely happy. I am quite thankful he doesn't have the heart problems associated with the breed though. That one IS a serious problem (as higher grade lp's can be, and even lower grades in the larger dogs as well). *just my opinions*

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#8 Consumer Comment

Gee Las Vegas

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 19, 2009

Las Vegas???

It seems to me that on the other post you said you had no affiliation with Happiness is pets, and now you are giving advice like you've been doing it your whole life! You seem to be an expert on medical procedures with dogs.

Lies always catch up to you.....

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#7 Consumer Comment

Gee Las Vegas

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 19, 2009

Las Vegas???

It seems to me that on the other post you said you had no affiliation with Happiness is pets, and now you are giving advice like you've been doing it your whole life! You seem to be an expert on medical procedures with dogs.

Lies always catch up to you.....

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#6 Consumer Comment

Gee Las Vegas

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 19, 2009

Las Vegas???

It seems to me that on the other post you said you had no affiliation with Happiness is pets, and now you are giving advice like you've been doing it your whole life! You seem to be an expert on medical procedures with dogs.

Lies always catch up to you.....

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#5 Consumer Comment

Gee Las Vegas

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 19, 2009

Las Vegas???

It seems to me that on the other post you said you had no affiliation with Happiness is pets, and now you are giving advice like you've been doing it your whole life! You seem to be an expert on medical procedures with dogs.

Lies always catch up to you.....

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#4 Consumer Comment

Contact The Bureau Of Animal Health & Welfard

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, January 19, 2009

Brighid - Please do something and speak up for the ones who have no voice. There are news laws that have passed, and there are more laws that are going to legislature. IT'S ILLEGAL NOW FOR A PET STORE TO SELL A DOG THAT IS SICK.

You can call the Bureau Of Animal Health & Welfare at 217-782-6657 and state your complaint. Make sure you have the receipt from the store and your vet bills. Ask for a docket number and call back in a week to follow up on your complaint. You won't be the first.

It's time for change in our country and it's already happening. Time to shut down the puppy mills.

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#3 Consumer Comment

Some advice

AUTHOR: Me - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Re-read your contract number 1. Be sure of what you agreed to. Check on your state lemon laws. Did your puppy come with a written health check? And check with a few more vets. Do plenty of research on luxating patella's. Check with a few more vets. See how they grade it and whether or not they reccomend surgery. I have seen low grade cases in which it went away or they were never diagnosed again. I have seen the grade reduced as a puppy grows. I have seen several vets grade the same dog differently. If it is not severe it may not require surgery depending on several factors. Get as many vets opinions as you can, before your puppies surgery, so you can be sure of what you are doing.

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#2 Consumer Comment

Some advice

AUTHOR: Me - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Re-read your contract number 1. Be sure of what you agreed to. Check on your state lemon laws. Did your puppy come with a written health check? And check with a few more vets. Do plenty of research on luxating patella's. Check with a few more vets. See how they grade it and whether or not they reccomend surgery. I have seen low grade cases in which it went away or they were never diagnosed again. I have seen the grade reduced as a puppy grows. I have seen several vets grade the same dog differently. If it is not severe it may not require surgery depending on several factors. Get as many vets opinions as you can, before your puppies surgery, so you can be sure of what you are doing.

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#1 Consumer Suggestion

Please take action! This store is selling sick dogs day after day after day....

AUTHOR: Nopuppymills - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, January 14, 2009

If you have been sold a sick puppy from a pet store, a new law has been passed! It's time to take action for the puppies who can't speak up for themselves!

Contact information below:

Dr. Colleen O'Keefe
Division Manager, Food Safety and Animal Protection
Illinois Department of Agriculture
217-785-5680
217-558-6033-fax
colleen.okeefe@illinois.gov (She will forward your complaint via email to the Bureau Of Animal Health and Welfare directly and the complaint will be taken). No third party or anonymous complaints will be taken. You will need your receipt from the store and copies of the vet bills.

OR YOU CAN CALL DIRECTLY TO THE Bureau Of Animal Health & Welfare - 217-782-6657.

File the complaint, ask for the docket number, then follow up in a week to see what's happened.

I highly encourage you to read over the Illinois Animal Welfare Act http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1375&ChapAct=225%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B605%2F&ChapterID=24&ChapterName=PROFESSIONS+AND+OCCUPATIONS&ActName=Animal+Welfare+Act%2E as well as the Regulations: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/008/00800025sections.html.

You want to be able to cite specific statutes when you file a complaint.

For example: - If the pet store sells sick puppies, they would be violating 25.60 Health of Animals at Time of Release.

- If the puppies are thin, they would be violating 605/18(c) Licensee Requirements. The licensee shall provide adequate nutrition.

- If the place is filthy, they are violating 605/18(a) Licensee Requirements. The licensee shall maintain sanitary conditions

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