Petland, an Ohio-based chain with roughly 140 stores in the country, including one in Rio Rancho, says it’s dedicated to putting pets with good people and meeting the needs of both.

Susan Kern, who owns a Petland store in Rio Rancho, proudly stands by that mission statement.

“We match the right pet with the right customer,” Kern said. “I stand by the mission statement and I only want people that care for animals to work for me.” However, the Humane Society of the United States says most of the dogs sold at the store come from puppy mills. HSUS defines mills as a source of unbearable cruelty where breeding animals are kept in tiny cages without any socialization for the sole purpose of supplying pet stores with puppies.

The HSUS conducted an eight-month investigation into Petland. The results, HSUS says, show that many Petland stores across the country are supporting cruel puppy mills, even while telling unsuspecting customers the dogs only come from good breeders.

HSUS investigators visited 21 Petland stores and 35 breeders and brokers who sold puppies to Petland stores.

Petland corporate officials take issue with the Humane Society’s claim.

“At Petland, our number one concern is for the health and well-being of the pets within our care,” according to Petland’s Web site. “The fact that HSUS has conducted an 8-month investigation and at no time, did HSUS contact the proper authorities or call the police to shut these kennels down is completely unacceptable and demonstrates their lack of concerns for the animals themselves.”

Petland runs a program called “Adopt-a-Pet”, which has adopted more than 270,000 homeless puppies and kittens by working with local shelters, hobbyists and rescue groups.

The Humane Society did not visit the store in Rio Rancho or any others in New Mexico.

But, the Humane Society still wants people to avoid all Petland stores.

Kern said the accusations are false. She says all of her puppies come from United States Department of Agriculture approved professional or hobby breeders.

“I buy from very reputable people,” Kern said. “I just don’t go for the lowest price, but the best product.”

She said most of her puppies come from the Midwest. Kern says puppies that come to her store are well cared for. She said they come in a mobile kennel that’s air conditioned and heat controlled, with plenty of water and food.

With every animal sold, Kern said she gives the customer a guide on how to take care of the animal and a $50 voucher to have the animal spayed or neutered. She said she sells primarily companion pets.

She also doesn’t want unhappy customers. Petland is a repeat business, meaning that Kern wants animal buyers to continually come back to the store to buy food and supplies for the pet.

“I don’t want unhappy customers. Ninety percent of my customers are repeat customers,” Kern said. “They ask us questions and we provide answers. We want the animals to be well taken care of.”

Animal Protection of New Mexico is appalled that Petland might be selling sick puppies and encourages people to get their pets from shelters.

APNM Legislative Director Heather Ferguson said she’s working to close down puppy mills.

“This investigation of puppies sold in pet stores like Petland reveals many victims,” Ferguson said. “Families who buy pet store puppies often take them home and find them unhealthy. Ironically, the healthy animals at community shelters and rescue organizations go unadopted, and suffer a high rate of euthanasia.”

Ferguson urges the public to do their part to shut down the cruel puppy mill enterprise and adopt only from shelters and rescues.

Ferguson said there are several documented complaints that customers have had with Petland in Rio Rancho.

Currently, New Mexico has no puppy lemon laws; meaning that if you buy a puppy that gets sick or dies, the seller is not required to refund your money, give you another puppy or even help with medical mills.

Kennels and breeders are also not required to have licenses or pass inspections.

Ferguson said she will try to have new laws introduced to the Legislature to deal with the issues. She also wants to strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws and increase penalties for violators.