Heartland Pets

Ok so we just got our fish there and we bought 9 fish and they only charged us for 7. Now thats not the only thing but when the employee was getting us the fish she wasn't getting the ones we wanted, slamming the net against the glass when there was a fish in between them, and not being careful at all. When we asked them about a few of their other animals they didn't know anything about them. Now the 2 fish that were 10 dollars each both have 1 HUGE lump on their bellies but they aren't pregnant. NEVER EVER go to Heartland Pets, they don't know anything about the animals, the prices are CRAZY, and the pets don't last long and always have something wrong with them. PLEASE save yourself money and get a good pet by NOT comeing to Heartland Pets!

Posted 12/09/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I purchased a Pug from Heartland Pets in 2005. My pug is the light of my life, but thank God he is in My life and not Heartlands anymore! My heart sank the first time I held him in my arms, he nuzzled up to me and we had an instant connection. I knew he was meant for me, yet something told me to take him to a vet a.s.a.p. My little sunshine was diagnosed deaf and hypoglycemic, and just three years later with glaucoma and the list goes on. The pressure got so bad in his right eye, his eye came out of his socket. All of these problems came with the birth of my wonderful dog. However, could have been prevented if the owner would look further into who he does business with. I understand this is a business, but no and I mean NO business should be ran this way. He wanted $1700 for my Pug. I later found out my dogs sister was born blind in her left eye, she was also from Heartland Pets and $1700. Moral of the story, Heartland Pets is Horrible, there is NO heart in that "heart"land!!!!

Posted 11/11/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

My partner and I often go to Heartland Pets to play with the puppies and give them the much needed love and exercise they deserve. But it is always a very saddening experience, especially yesterday. You see, when I say we played with puppies, I mean we spent more than an hour crammed into a tiny room at Heartland Pets trying to comfort two 5-month-old miniature schnauzers. We've always had a soft spot for all the animals at the mall pet store, but we restrict ourselves to puppies to keep the heartbreak in check. Usually we spend our time with tiny, 2- or 3-month-old rascals who climb and kiss and chase each other non-stop. But yesterday, the pups were older, terrified and, I'm willing to bet, ill.

How can I tell they were sick? Well, if the one's eye draining some bloody liquid didn't convince me, then the "low" pricetags of $299 and $399 did. Apparently the average price for puppies at Heartland Pets is $1000-$1500 (which is up from five years ago when it was an already outrageous $800), but they do go as high as $3900 for their bulldog puppies. Why? "Because they're expensive to breed and expensive to own," said the sales girl. But then why were these schnauzer puppies so low? "Because they were older." Sorry, not buying it. Literally.

The puppies we chose to interact with were half brothers (same father), so they were caged together and very, VERY bonded, so much so that they had to be dragged out of the safety of their cage so that we could see them. When the sales woman left them with us, she warned that they were quite timid dogs and would take a while to warm up. Another salesman gave us a similar schpeel and even went so far as to say that the store "made a mistake by taking them when they were older instead of when they were 8 weeks old." (NOTE that 8 weeks is the absolute minimum age a dog should leave its litter, and most professionals now argue that that is still far too young and that 12 weeks is much healthier in regard to socialization and mental development.)

Consequently, the puppies spent the first half hour cowering in the corner of the cubicle, and just when they'd start to relax, if either my partner or I moved, they'd huddle together and back away again in fear. We eventually were able to pick each of them up and hold them individually, but they still sat frightened and immobile for most of the time they were being held. In addition to their extreme timidness, they were also filthy and wreaked of urine, suggesting they're only ever removed from their cage if a prospective buyer wants to see them.

After an hour, we had to get going, so we returned the pups to their cage one at a time. I watched the two reunite after a mere two minutes apart, and it made me upset to know that the two would someday be split up. They were each other's only comfort, each other's only friend.

Please, if you want a pet, do NOT buy from Heartland Pets or any other pet store. These dogs are unhealthy both socially or physically, and while it's in no way the puppies' fault (or, for that matter, ANY animal at ANY pet store's fault), purchasing from them only opens a spot for another baby animal to be taken from its mother and litter to live scared and alone in a cage.

Animal shelters and adoption sites like Petfinder.com are overflowing with animals -- pure breeds, babies, perfect family pets -- and they only cost as much as rescue workers paid in vetting costs. We ourselves own a pure-bred miniature schnauzer that we adopted from an Erie-based rescue organization. Our dog was rescued from a puppy mill in northeastern Ohio, where he spent the first four years of his life as a stud whose offspring were sold to pet stores and possibly even Heartland Pets.

Please read the poem "Pet Store Puppy" Cindy B. included in her review below.

Please help stop the cruelty.

Posted 09/19/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Buying a puppy from Heartland is doing nothing but supporting backyard breeders and puppy mills!!! these puppies are shipped there by truck and IF they survive they are sold for an outrageous amount of money. These puppies are most likely ill or sick in some way and were taken away from their mothers way too early.

There parents most likely live in tiny rusted cages with little food and filthy water. There only purpose it to breed and make money, a breeding stock.

...so please dont buy a puppy from here. If nobody bought from here they could go out of buisiness.

Also there is a humane society just minutes away filled with homeless dogs and cats in desperate need of homes. Please adopt, dont support puppy mills!

Posted 09/05/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Can't go less than 1 star, or I would. What many of you don't seem to understand is that by buying a puppy or dog from a pet store, YOU are guilty of perpetuating puppy mills!!! Sure, it's heartbreaking to see these puppies, but if you don't buy them, the store won't buy more from puppy mills and puppy mills won't be able to exist without buyers. GO TO A REPUTABLE BREEDER. Read this poem:
Pet Store Puppy - Author Unknown
I'm a little puppy, so cuddly, sweet and small
I live inside a cage you see
at Pet Store in the mall.
I'm not an only puppy, my sisters are all here.
My brothers, too, except for Ralph
who died cause he was scared.
It's lonely here at nighttime
when all the lights go dark,
We tremble in our cages
and we whimper and we bark.
But no one comes to hold us
or pet our fears away;
We sit all night in terror
till the store opens next day.
We don't remember mama left so far behind.
She did the best she could for us
till Man said, "It is time."
He crammed us all in cages
too small for us you see.
We rode for hours; we could not help
but lay in poop and pee.
And now we sit in Pet Store
where kids come taunt and squeeze.
They do not hear our whimpers
or understand our pleas.
We're miserable and it's scary here;
we all would rather die.
But since we don't, we do our best
to run away and hide
I know you think my story too sad to leave me be;
You want to take me home with you,
a happy little puppy.
But please, though it is fearful
to live here against our will
If you take me that leaves a spot
another pup will fill.
You can stop our suffering,
but not by taking us home.
You must be strong and leave us here,
unsold and all alone.
For if you do not take me,
then another pup won't come,
And maybe he will not be shipped
so far away from home
Though some of us may not survive
the cycle 'ere it falls.
If we don't sell, they will not need
more puppies in these halls.
And if they need no puppies,
then the Man will not bring more.
Eventually it can all stop!
You CAN close the door.
So when you see a puppy face
so sad and sweet and small
In a cage at Pet Store
at your neighborhood shopping mall,
The best thing you can do for him
is leave him sitting there.
That is the best way you can tell all dogs
how much you care.

Posted 08/28/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I struggle to leave a good review of Heartland because I can not stand the idea of pet store pets. I have loathed the thought of buying a dog from there and my husband was DEAD SET against it. But, I wanted a Papillon puppy in the worst way and could not find one near us at the time. I did find one at Heartland and finally convinced my husband to let me have him. Let me tell you that so far he is the BEST toy breed dog that I have ever seen. He is amazing. I couldn't ask for anything more from him. He is a very nice breed standard, he is wonderful with other dogs and kids and his demeanor is fantastic.

But...would I buy from them again? I'm not sure. It is still a HUGE risk. I don't care for the fact that there is zero screening of the potential owners. Children are talking their parents into buying them little chihuahas that required an immense amount of care and no one is stopping them. A few of them do look unhealthy but they probably are scared. As far as shipping them and having to go through that trauma...if you do not find a breeder close to you that has your desired breed, they will have to be shipped regardless and will go through the same process.

I do hate the price of these animals. I understand that the price may deter some people from buying them in less they are very serious about their purchase...but phew!!

I did contact the breeder of my Pap and she did answer my questions. Mine did not come with papers because he was rescued from a bad home and given to the breeder, who them sold them to the pet store. Again, not entirely responsible of that breeder...but she and her husband are both vets...so not sure what to think about that.

So...I gave Heartland 4 stars. I still HATE the idea of pet shop dogs, but when looking at the puppies it is hard to ignore the supply and demand idea and not think that those poor puppies need homes too. What is going to happen to them if someone who is a responsible pet owner doesn't adopt them? I thought of it as "rescuing" my Pap from someone irresponsible getting him since there is zero screening.

So Heartland...ADD A SCREENING PROCESS TO YOUR OWNER SELECTION!!! DON'T LET JUST ANYONE PURCHASE YOUR DOGS!!!

Posted 08/20/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

i have bought 3 mini schnauzer pups within the last few years (none related to each other ) and have never had any kind of health problems with any of them.they all were happy health very playful pups.iv contacted the breeders that sold these pups to heartland and they are not from puppymills.all 3 breeders were very reputiable ,so if your thinking yours came from a puppy mill contact them all the info you need to do so is on your puppys registration papers.(i would buy from them again).

Posted 08/04/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

This is a response to Cool P. I can tell you for a fact pups from a reputable breeder would not let just anyone come along and purchase their dog because he looked cute in a cage. Any REPUTABLE breeder cares about the pup and wants to meet the new owners plus have a signed contract to follow that pup just in case things don't work out they need to give it back to the breeder. Also when you purchase a pup from a store you have NO idea what the parents look like or what they have been through.Trust me I have been there and done that and that is what introduced me into the world of puppy mills! Many times a reputable breeder will want to come out to your house and see where the pup will be living to make sure the new owners aren't lieing about their circumstances. It is responsible breeders that do this.
And for the person that got lucky with a pup that wasn't deathly ill- great but lets put these sick bastards out of business instead of funding the horror! If we don't purchase yes it may be bad for a few in the beginning but it will cut down on the life time of torture for more to come-half of them will end up dead or in a shelter anyway due to behavioral issues.

Posted 07/11/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

i don't know much about puppy mills or heartland pets but all i know is when you buy your puppy from heartland bring a stool sample to the first mandatory vet check up because they will more then likely have giardia which is a microscopic internal parasite. Also if they had any case of kennel cough please please get them checked out if it persists.

when i bough my puppy they said it had a slight case of kennel cough which was not a big deal.....let me tell you it is a huge deal (CAN BE FATAL) for young puppies especially ones that have had a stressful life so far (aka puppy mill puppies or puppies from brokers which i have high suspicion this is where these pets come from...before someone gets their panties in a bunch over this statement i will say that this is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to one)

I suggest that you make an appointment for a few days before the 12 day cover charge for medical expenses is over to give your puppy enough time for the health conditions to fully show. That way heartland will pay for the medication if there is a problem. Also the vet will suggest that you get them re-vaccinated for somethings since (like my puppy) the vaccinations were given to close together and weren't given enough time to fully have an effect. Also these puppies aren't fully vaccinated with the important ones such as the lime disease one (so if your planning on taking your pup to presque isle get this done before you do!! there are tons of ticks and such there)

anyway if you do chose to buy from heartland (whether people agree or disagree where these puppies came from) they are here and alive today so lets keep them that way and get them the proper care and watchful eye they need.

I will close this review with a little note: i love the puppy i bought from heartland very much and i would not trade her for any other puppy. She is for the most part healthy and is very smart. yes puppies are a lot of work but they are a wonderful experience.

thanks for reading

source: my personal experience buying a puppy from heartland pets not more then a week ago.

-Melissa H.

Posted 07/06/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

First of all, I happen to know the owner VERY well. Richard Winslow DOES NOT get his puppies from mills. He purchases them from reputable breeders. 2) THEY ARE PUPPIES! it is supposed to smell in there, they are not potty trained and just poo wherever. And because they are puppies that are adopted within a few weeks, even days ,they don't need a ton of room. They are small so they don't need full sized crates. Honestly, have you ever been to a pet store where their dogs have HUGE crates?
3) You all must be either joking or lying about their lethargicness...They are hyper and active, just as puppies are supposed to be. And after they let out all their energy, they sleep. and sleep. and sleep.
4) They get plenty of attention. Even if they don't they all get adopted within a short period of time and get a loving family.
5) LASTLY, YOU ALL WITH BAD COMMENTS LIE LIE LIE! "i know for a fact that the puppies come from puppy mills..." IT'S NOT True! my gosh, why do you all have such a grudge on such a great pet shop?

Posted 07/01/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I used to work for them. In the next month I plan on having them sent away for a long time. Ex: I had to give them their shots and I.V.s; to make them live; some were even adopted out without letting the owners knowing they had parvo, for example, a white husky about 2, 3 years ago.

Posted 06/04/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I work in the mall and go into Heartland quite often. The puppies are the most lethargic puppies I have ever seen. No energy, scared to death, living in tiny cages with wire flooring, no toys or blankets, nothing. Whenever I see people in there buying puppies I want to shake them and say, "what are you thinking???" These animals are overpriced, you're supporting puppy mills, and they don't even LOOK healthy. If you can afford a purebred puppy, get one from a reputable breeder. PLEASE. If you can't, go to a shelter.

Not only are the puppies ill, but all of the animals are...the bunnies, rodents, cats, all of them. The cats sleep in their litter - it's probably the softest thing they have!!!

To top it off, this place is next to the food court, and it reeks of urine a mile away. The smell is horrendous. Yes, the place appears clean, but it smells like a poorly maintained zoo. Oh wait, it is.

Posted 04/17/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Why would anyone buy puppies from such a place?

Where do you think pet store puppies come from?

Look into it...

Help Stop Puppy Mills!!!!

Adopt From A Rescue...

Posted 04/09/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I just bought a Pembroke Welsh Corgi from Heartland, and I am happier than ever! Of course she was a bit expensive, but for a puppy who will be with me for 12+ years!? I LOVE HER! The staff were amazing, and the store was clean. For the people who have been saying horrible things:
First off, puppies DO explore and get into everything they shouldn't. Puppies, unfortunately DO eat feces....
Second: the puppies are enclosed in smaller "tanks" if you will because it's A PUPPY STORE. Their areas are smaller so they can sell more dogs and so the public can view them better. It may seem cruel, but when you think about how puppies like crates, it isn't cruel at all.

I love my puppy to death, and she has a clean bill of health from the vet. I'm sorry to those who had a bad experience, but that happens at any pet store, I guarantee it.

Posted 04/07/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I purchased a boston terrier/jack russell terrier here almost three years ago. I found that the staff was nothing but helpful and I absolutely love my dog to pieces. I have never had a problem with him, he is in great health and our vet thinks he is perfect. Overall, I am really pleased with how things were handled and I loved the option to "finance" my puppy. The bad reviews here are really scary to read. I would like to know more from the person who did research and found that the dogs come from puppy mills. I am wondering how you found that as it could deter me from going back here in the future!!

Posted 01/10/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I can tell you for a fact that Heartland acquires most of their puppies from puppy mills. It breaks my heart to see weekly shipments of these terrified puppies being shipped in from puppy mills to Heartland. These innocent dogs are shipped in crates and flown on airplanes in the cargo bins...a terrifying experience for any animal to have to go through!
If we were all to stop purchasing animals from these horrible stores, then eventually we could drive all of these "pet stores" out of the "pet selling" business all together.
PLEASE, adopt from your local shelter!! It's all about supply and demand...if you continue to purchase these innocent animals from Heartland and any other pet store, you are just creating more of a demand for these puppy mills to continue the supply.
Please, think before you go to a pet store. There is a heart-breaking story behind each of these animals there.

Posted 12/30/08 | Report Abuse

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I recently visited Erie, PA for Thanksgiving and visited Heartland Pets while at the mall. Instead of shopping, my entire day was spent trying to give attention to as many dogs as possible. I was horrified with the number of dogs housed in cruel sized cages. There were no blankets, only toys for approximately 20% of the animals. The two terriers I took out to play were not exhibiting normal behavior. One spent its entire time trying to DIG out of the viewing room I brought it to...a sign of cage insanity. Animals need exercise, interaction with others and a great deal of attention. They are not bread to live in solitude in such small enclosures. Very sad. No animal deserves having to live in such conditions. It would be much easier to view these dogs if I knew they received proper exercise outside of their cages and at least a warm bed to lay on rather than the cage floors where their paws can fall through.

Posted 11/29/08 | Report Abuse

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I am writing to inform people of the pets that we have purchaed here. First, to all of those that have written about how sad it is to see the puppies in the cages-it is very hard-as someone pointed out, some puppies are shaking probably because it is a new environment and they are scared. Second-I know that individuals feel that we should not patronize and purchase an animal from these places, however, where would these animals end up if not in a loving home? Third, we purchased a beautiful chocolate lab and golden retriever from here in 2004. I have to say, our lab was going to be put down because he was thought to be " uncontrollable and untrainable". After getting him home and exercising both of our puppies to the point of exhaustion (meaning they ran and played like with each other and us for 2-3 hours) it immediately calmed them down. We did the same the following day and then we started our training. We never used shock collars or prong collars we went to the library and got our information there. Our dogs are now trained to hand, voice and whistle commands. Other people always remark how well behaved and well trained they are. Another point I want to make is if you are purchasing an animal from here, make sure you can give it a home. The reason I say this is because our golden retriever had a brother that was purchased by a woman as a birthday present for her daughter-after 2 weeks, the daughter did not want to take care of him, neither did the father or the mother-so the poor thing was returned to the store. The point is if you take on the responsibility of purchasing a pet you're committed to providing that animal with life long care and love.

Posted 11/20/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I was in this horrid store just this past Saturday while on a shopping trip from Canada. I was horrified at what I saw here. First I saw a dead lizard in one of the aquariums. Second, the dogs. I almost broke down crying. These dogs are obviously the result of puppymills because no breeder would sell a pure bred dog to a pet store (and I know these aren't rescue/shelter dogs either b/c they're being sold for $400+). I saw one dog EATING its own feces. I saw one french bulldog shaking in a corner of it's TINY cage (no toys or blanket for it either). I have never been so upset at a pet store in my life!

Posted 10/19/08 | Report Abuse

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I am a frequent shopper at the Millcreek Mall, and so spend a great deal of time at the pet store there. I have to say that the employees are wonderful there. They are very knowledgeable, especially the management staff, and willing to answer questions even about animals not purchased there. The cages are kept clean and the animals are obviously cared for. I have purchased both of my dogs from there, as well as a parakeet and an aquarium full of fish, all of which are doing wonderfully. I just wish that parents coming into the store would show some control over their children. On several occasions I have seen staff rescue animals from kids, only to then be yelled at by the inattentive parent. To the lady with the papers lost in the mail issue, blame the Post Office, not these people doing their jobs. You sound like a person who just likes to cause trouble. Jim has always been wonderful to me and my grandchildren whenever we come in. As I said, I am a frequent shopper and feel confident in recommending them.

Posted 10/11/08 | Report Abuse

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Bought a silky terrier in Apr. waited and waited for papers. called them several times and was told papers could take up to 100 days etc. etc. finally found out 4 months later that they mailed them 2 months after we purchased dog... but we never recieved them... Sound fishy to you?? well, I had to about scream to get them to re issue them then manager Jim says they will cost me $30!! You got to be kidding me I never got them not my fault mail must have lost them.. What a joke!!!! Never will deal with them again. by the way they are getting new papers with no fee...after i had to argue with the managers....they are not good business people!!!!

Posted 08/12/08 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I've worked in a kennel for four years, and have seen too many people come in with "pure breed" dogs from this place. They paid full price, and it turns out, the dogs are either mixes or very badly bred. As someone who knows how to properly take care of dogs, upon a quick glance at this place, I have found at least 10 problems here that are detrimental to dog and puppy health. I had a family come in with a maltese, and upon being told it was a maltese, said that they paid the full price for a bischon frisee at heartland, and thought their dog was a bischon. My friend bought a puppy here, and two weeks later it died of parvo. A year later, after her house had been cleaned 3 times to rid the house of any lingering parvo virus, they bought another puppy from here, and it, too, died of parvo.

Bottom line, if you want a pure bred healthy puppy, and are willing to pay the full price for the pure breed, take the extra time and find a reputable breeder.

Posted 07/08/08 | Report Abuse

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

we traveled 3 hours to buy our golden retriever from heartland pets. they were very courteous and helpful. place was clean and employees helped with everything. where else can you go and "charge" your pet. we still have our retriever who is a year and a half now, she has no problems at all.

Posted 01/13/08 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I was on my way through the mall and just happened to see the two boxers at heartland pets. I stopped in to peek because I love boxers!!! When I got closer I saw the one boxer was napping in its own feces while the three employees I saw were chatting. The whole "store" is horrible in it of itself, but it would be a great relief if the employees even cared to pay attention. There were a lot of customers in the store at the time and I had to bring it to the employees attention that they should correct the problem. It is really sad...

Posted 11/26/07 | Report Abuse

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

My family purchased a Jack Russell Terrier nearly two years ago from Heartland Pets. Unfortunately, the dog has two deformed front paws and is of low breed quality - according to our Vet. We, of course, paid a tidy sum for the dog expecting a quality animal. We love our dog and he is an integral member of our family, but we purchased an inferior animal. Please think twice before you buy an animal from Heartland. I will never patronize that store again and would instead go to the Humane Society to adopt a homeless animal. The prices at Heartland are outrageous and you do not get what you pay for.

Posted 11/10/07 | Report Abuse

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Ok, so I had written a poor review for this place originally. We have since been refunded our money for our blind in one eye dog, which is all that we asked for. We just want to keep our little man and have some type of reimbursement since we didn't set out to buy a one eyed dog. So, this pet store will fix the problem if they can or at least refund some or all of the purchase price. I must say that although it took a few months, they stuck to their word and we are very pleased with how it turned out. I still wish that our puppy wasn't blind in one eye but we love him still! He is a fantastic dog that we love very much! We wouldn't trade him for the world! Thank you to the managers and owner at Heartland Pets!!

Posted 08/02/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

We purchased our puppy at the mall heartland pets nothing but problems! looked into it more all the breeders they deal with are mills! They returned the puppy after they tried to just fix it the poor thing would have no sight in its left eye (due to bad breeding) There are plent of other places to purchase your new best frined DONT GO HERE!

Posted 12/21/06 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

If you are looking for items for your furry friends, you can check here. The store is clean and the service is wonderful. They care enough to help you find what you need and you can always expect a smile when you go in. They even have stuff for your fish too. Nice, one stop shopping here!

Posted 11/18/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?