Petland of Sarasota is located at Fruitville Road and Honore next to Target, at 5380 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL. 34232, (941) 343-9752. The unfortunate puppies that you see in the glass enclosures at Petland are immensely ill, and they need our help, today!
           First , lets go over a few facts about puppies. The socialization stage for a puppy is three to twelve weeks old. During this stage the puppy will need occasions to meet other puppies and people. By the time they are three to five weeks old, their play becomes exceptionally important as a puppy becomes aware of his or her companions, relationships, and surroundings. The influence of the puppy's littermates increases at four to six weeks old as he or she learns more about being a dog. From five to seven weeks old, a puppy needs positive human interaction as he or she develops curiosity and explores new experiences. A puppy at seven to nine weeks has full use of his or her senses. A puppy is refining his or her coordination and physical ability. At eight to ten weeks old, a puppy can experience real fear involving everyday objects and experiences. During this stage, a puppy needs support and positive reinforcement.
           The puppies of Petland Sarasota experience a different type of socialization. They are born into puppy mills, meaning that that particularly important socialization stage at three to twelve weeks old is lost. From the time they exit their mother's womb they are placed in cages that are overcrowded with other puppies. At the sight of eight weeks old, the puppies are placed in yet another crate and then transported across thousand of miles from various states to this particular location. Once inside Petland, they are placed in a glass enclosure with multiple other puppies; many larger breeds in the same size enclosures. The only exercise Petland puppies experience is when someone comes to "play" with them. That is also, the only time that the puppies will leave the enclosure. They will relieve themselves inside the enclosures that falls about two inches beneath them, which ultimately means they are inhaling their feces 24/7. There are multiple puppies that will never be taken out of the enclosures because no one wants to "play" with them for that day or week. Also, when puppies get "too old" for Petland and they cannot sell them, they transport them back to the puppy mill. These puppies will never experience the outside world until someone pays an outrageous price for them. Puppies ultimately need freedom to explore, to be curious about the world that they live in, and daily human interaction.
           I am not asking Petland Sarasota to close. I am asking them to stop selling animals and I need your help! I, instead, would like them to work with the local rescue groups to promote adoption, as several other Petland stores have done around the country. If you agree that puppies are not products of currency, that they are instead living, breathing, emotional creatures that deserve a life free from the misery of being locked in glass showcases, then please --- do not support the selling of animals at Petland Sarasota and instead, sign this petition to stop them!
           There are currently 53,326 residing residents in Sarasota, FL. I need your help to get as many of those people as we can to sign this petition to stop them! SHARE, SHARE, SHARE TO HELP ME BRING AWARENESS TO THE CITY OF SARASOTA! Please, tell everyone your personal experience with Petland of Sarasota below when you sign the petition. It would be a tremendous amount of help if you could send a copy of the story to me, and also, if you or anyone you know has worked at Petland Sarasota please let me know at: telajo@yahoo.com
           UPDATE: September 15, 2015 the Manatee County commissioners will discuss a proposed ordinance to ban pet stores from selling animals from puppy mills. You can read more about it here.

               The Sarasota County Commissioners are as follows:
Carolyn J. Mason, District 1 (Chair) cmason@scgov.net (941)-861-5344
Paul Caragiulo, District 2 pcaragiulo@scgov.net (941)-861-5344
Christine Robinson, District 3 crobinson@scgov.net (941)-861-5344
Alan Maio, District 4 amaio@scgov.net (941)-861-5344
Charles D. Hines, District 5 chines@scgov.net (941)-861-5344
Sarasota County Commissioners Website.