The CIty of Los Angeles City Council and others like them are taking the lead in this responsible action to try to address the animal euthanasia rate and allow our tax dollars to be used to support other issues rather than euthanizing animals.  If the Governor woudl ban animal sales State-wide, we could reduce city, county and state budgets, relief tax payers burdens and free-up funds for education and other much needed services.  

Irresponsbile breeders and pet stores should be held responsible for all aspects of their business.  Did you know that when puppy mills can no longer breed a male or female adult, they dump that animal in a local shelter to be killed?  Did you know that puppies in pet stores that are not sold, become sick or are retured to the store are dumped in local shelters to be killed?  Pet stores and irresponsible breeders should not be allowed to dump animals in shelters or abandoned animals in communities.  This happens all the time.   Even if you do not care about animlas, it should bother you that any business would be allowed to use our public system and your tax dollars in this way. When this occurs, your tax dollars are used to "clean up the mess of these private businesses".  

We need to crack down and stop this cycle.  Here is an example of how animal sales hurt individuals, the animals and our economy.  PLEASE SHARE!  

Meet Chloe.  She is a five month old Golden Retriever and her story is unfortunately not unique.  Following this introduction is her tradgic story.  Please help end these businesses from blatantly taking advantage of people and animals. PLEASE DO NOT SHOP AT CALIFORNIA PETS located at 1807 E. Chapman Ave Orange, CA 92867. And please do not take your pets to Tri-City Pet Hospital or Orange Veterinary Hospital. These businesses are owned by the same man, a Veterinarian. He is knowingly and intentionally selling sick and deformed animals, signing them off as healthy and then making a fortune preying on the emotions of pet owners and the pain and suffering of these animals. Please read this story and share with anyone and everyone you can think of. This veterinarian must be held accountable and these businesses must be shut down so they cannot continue to profit off of the pain and suffering of others. You are suppose to be able to trust professionals who take an oath to do no harm. This person is intentionally doing harm for his own financial gain.

CHLOE's STORY

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On May 26, 2012, we purchased a Golden Retriever puppy that we named “Chloe” from California Pets and we were provided with a “puppy guarantee”. At the time of purchase, we were told that in order for the puppy guarantee to be valid, we must take the puppy to one of their approved veterinarians. We took Chloe to Tri-City Veteranarian Hospital and were told that other than a cold and worms, Chloe was in perfect condition. Because this particular breed has been known to have hip problems, we asked them to check her very closely for any hip related issues. At that time we were told that her hips were “great, better than most”.

            Chloe is now approximately 5 months old and recently started limping and experiencing extreme difficulty after resting. We took her back to Tri-City Pet Hospital and we were told that she has hip dysplasia and needs a very invasive surgery.  We then took Chloe to two other veterinarians for a second a third opinion.  Each of them confirmed the diagnosis of hip dysplasia and one of them commented that he felt California Pets had to have been aware of the issue when they sold her to us.

            On August 4, 2012, we discovered a surgical option called Juvenile Pelvic Symphysiodesis (JPS) for Chloe that might be less invasive than the originally recommended surgery.  Based on the enormous cost and the anticipated trauma of the Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) or full hip replacement, we decided to contact the veterinarians who had been treating her at Tri-City Pet Hospital to see if would be a viable option.  Dr. Jeffrey Horner would be the surgeon performing the procedure and that the JPS surgery probably would not be a viable option for Chloe given her age.  Had this been caught sooner, this might have been an option.      

I then was told that Dr. Horner owns both Tri-City Pet Hospital and Orange Veterinary Hospital. I immediately found that odd and checked my original contract to see if both of these entities were the same as those listed on the California Pets original paperwork as the options of veterinarians for Chloe’s initial exams in order for the “puppy guarantee” to be in effect. When I realized that they were in fact the same, I decided to check to see the name of the owner of California Pets. According to the fictitious business names listing, it is none other than Dr. Jeffrey Horner.  I also checked to see who originally deemed Chloe as healthy upon her arrival at California Pets, this was DVM Dr. Rachelle Voll she too works for Jeffrey Horner at the office located at:  1100 W. Chapman Avenue, Orange CA.

Dr. Horner obviously has ties to California Pets, Orange Veterinarian and Tri-City Pet Hospital.   So, Dr. Horner would again be obtaining money from us for surgery on a puppy that one of his staff members (Rachelle Voll) originally deemed suitable for sale..          

When we brought these concerns to Dr. Horner's attention he stated that he indirectly owns California Pets because his wife owns it. I explained to him that there appears to be a conflict of interest and also a breach of contract for failure to disclose his ties to these entities. He claims that there is not and that he has worked for many pet stores throughout the years.   I told Dr. Horner that I felt he should take some responsibility for the surgery since 1) he owns the pet store that sold her to us.  2) one of his employees, Dr. Voll examined her upon arrival at California Pets and signed off on a clean bill of health. 3) Tri-City examined Chloe repeatedly and said her hips were fine.  4) when the dog could no longer walk, Tri-City confirmed hip dysplasia and referred us back to Horner for surgery (another conflict of interest).

I have appealed to Dr. Horner’s moral and ethical obligation to this puppy and he refused to take any responsibility. When I confronted him about his moral obligations versus financial aims of being a licensed practitioner, he stated “unfortunately, it’s a little bit of both”. I find these remarks to be deplorable. They speak to the professional integrity of this veterinarian.

He claims he is not required to do so but said he will tell his wife about Chloe’s situation so she does not continue to purchase puppies from this breeder. I argued that it is his duty to report medical issues he discovers. He claims it is not. I also told Horner that he should tell his establishment to reconsider renting sick pets out for children’s birthday parties. According to another vet.  “pets with roundworm infestations pose a public health risk”. Other vets have stated that infants and small children are more susceptible to catching worms from pets as they have immature immune systems and often poor hygiene. Humans can catch worms from a dog or cat. Equally important is to regularly treat your pets for worms.  He had no response.  Dr. Jeffrey Horner is profiting off of the sale and “rent” of young, sick and injured animals. Please help me to end this man’s profit seeking business.