On Sunday, March 1, I visited Poor Man’s Flea Market. While walking through the market, I noticed a man selling a single puppy in a crate. She looked scared and sad, and I felt compelled to help her.

After negotiating with the seller, we agreed on $400. The man aggressively pulled the puppy out of the crate and handed her to us. He claimed that he had already vaccinated the dog himself, which immediately raised concerns. Vaccinations should be administered by licensed professionals with proper documentation — not given casually without records.

Despite our doubts, we believed we were doing the right thing by giving this puppy a loving home.

We named her Molly.

Our family fell in love with her immediately. My child adored her, and she quickly became part of our family.

But less than a week later, Molly became very sick. We rushed her to the veterinary hospital and received devastating news: Molly had Parvovirus, a highly contagious and often deadly disease in puppies.

Despite efforts to help her, our sweet Molly had to be humanely euthanized.

The veterinarian informed us that Molly would have already been infected before she was sold, meaning the seller likely knew — or should have known — that this puppy was sick.

This was not just irresponsible. It was cruel.

No family should have to experience the heartbreak of bringing home a puppy only to watch it suffer and die days later. No child should have to lose a pet this way. And no animal should be sold while sick.

We are asking Poor Man’s Flea Market to take responsible action by implementing one of the following policies:

• Ban the sale of dogs and cats entirely at the flea market, OR

• Require verifiable veterinary vaccination records before any dog or cat can be sold

These policies would protect:

Animals from neglect and exploitation
Families from scams and heartbreak
The community from the spread of dangerous diseases like parvo

Selling sick animals is not just unethical — it’s dangerous.

If you are an animal lover, a parent, or simply someone who believes in honesty and humane treatment of animals, please sign and share this petition.

Let Molly’s story help protect other animals and families.

Sign and share in memory of Molly. If you could tag Poormans Flea Market and any local news outlets it would be greatly appreciated 🐾

Animals are not merchandise. They deserve protection.