Citipups

Hi again citipups!
I noticed you had my review taken down — I did actually go into your store and did witness the conditions of the animals and rudeness of your staff. Again like I said in my original review if this Unilocal page were accurate citipups would have one star.
I have not experienced but have heard and read about employees accosting and sexually harassing people from numerous people.
Again this store has been found to buy from puppy mills here is the link from the humane society’s website
Citipups is listed on page 3.
Citipups also tried to sue protesters but when the court found that citipups did actually get its puppies from disreputably sources citipups was unsuccessful in its suit.
Please don’t buy from here!

I purchased my first puppy here about a month ago, she is a pompoo, now named Mia. I was only planning to walk in and browse after a few months of looking into getting a puppy. I played with her and I really couldn’t leave her behind! She has been very healthy — and she’s so playful & smart! I was glad she was already given vaccines (with a few more needed after I got her) and that she was microchipped. Emilio walked me through easily and told me how to housebreak her. I bought her supplies there as well. I was also very satisfied that they gave me her first physical exam free at a vet to check up on her health.

We bought a female mini aussie puppy a few months ago and she is great! She goes to daycare once or twice a week and loves it there. I can’t walk by the store with out her crying and pulling to go in which has to mean that they treat the dogs well or she wouldn’t drag me and cry to go in every time we wk by. The lovely blonde girl that works downstairs (I can’t remember her name right now but she is so sweet and kind to the dogs) taking care of the puppies is awesome and you can tell she loves all the dogs so much and her job taking care of them. Also I think his name is Alex is so kind and caring always to our puppy. We haven’t had any problems at all and our puppy is so smart and happy. Eventually we will get her a sister or brother here. This post is about the Christopher street location.

The staff here is so friendly. I buy all my dog food and necessities here. The customer service is so outstanding. I could order cheaper from Amazon, but this small business defines «support your mall business». They go above and beyond and always know what I need. They have great hours, grooming, and daycare. Love them

Scary place!
As a recent transplant to Chelsea, I was pleased to discover a pet supply store near my new home.
On my first visit to Citipups today I overheard a salesman trying to explain to a couple why the Pomeranian pup they purchased turned out to totally different breed of dog. .a very strange and disturbing story.
Then the owner owner began screaming personal abuse at an older woman who was just standing at the counter… very nasty language to anyone, under any circumstances.
I am from Chicago where our pet stores are usually non-​contentious pleasant places. To witness 2 unpleasant and aggressive situations in less than 10 minutes makes it an easy decision to avoid this place.

CONSUMER FRAUD/​MY DOG HAS MANY SEVERE GENETIC DISABILITIES — yes there was «legitimate paperwork” — BS! — $ 20,000 in medical bills so far– who is supposed to pay those!!! How about the «breeder» or store who «guaranteed the health of the dog»???
I don’t care what you SAY about what you «do» or where the puppies «come from” — my dog was bred at a place (sugar bear kennel in rush city Kansas by Marie Vondra) that may skirt whatever law defines a «puppy mill», but my dog, whom I purchased from your store, has: genetic blindness by age 5; genetic luxating patella (3 out of 4 on the scale) in both back knees– so she will lose use of her hind legs; a genetic heart murmur; genetic chronic allergies making her near deathly allergic to natural daily exposures like grass, pollen, cats…; Wheezing (you guys had to put her «on sale» for this because for 5 months no one would buy her), disposition to chronic ear infections, and more. So… She’s from a reputable breeder? They stand by the animals they breed? So– are they going to be covering the $ 20,000+ in surgeries, vet bills, and medications I’ve paid?

The guys here are great, I’ve gotten both my babies from them. A little morkie I named Maverick a year ago today and a little yorkie I named Goose 11 months ago. My babies are very healthy, in part because I take great care for them of course. The service here has always been amazing, I’ve gone back a few times to get a few things and they always remember me. Everyone provides great customer service, and I’m very picky who I say that too cause it’s very hard to come by. The store in General has decent prices on other stuff they sell there I LOVE their toys! All in all I’m quite please with this establishment and I have recommended several friends to shop here most of the have found their forever friends here. What I like most is that the pups look very well kept and healthy.

Do not go to this store and buy a pet. A group of my friends and I just saw cute puppies in the window eat one of the puppy’s fresh laid poop. It was unbelievable. They obviously do not feed the pets well or else the pups wouldn’t have been so quick to eat poop. Eat their own poo. Seriously, so sick.

I love Citipups, people are so helpful, friendly and warm. They help you finding a puppy. Special mention to Norman! Also Emilio and Marco (Village location)

I’m still mourning the loss of the French Bulldog I had named «Meatball.» Meatball and I met on the floor of Citipups, and it was love at first sight. The puppy was perfect: playful, healthy, loving, and darn handsome. I sat with the dog and my boyfriend – and he could tell we were done for, this dog was coming with us. This «AKC, microchipped, up-​to-​date-​on-​his-​vaccinations,» puppy was going to be ours.
PSYCH.
There was talk about leaving a deposit and pick him up Monday on our way out of NYC. I thought the deposit of $ 1,500 was the total adoption fee. He’s $ 4,200.00 U.S. DOLLARS. What, did they just tack on the extra $ 200 for an added sting. Four thousand dollars. I live in DC. I pay $ 1750/​month for a studio apartment – I understand location inflation and that nice things cost money. I GET IT. But, what?!
Meatball and I parted ways. I tried to be mature about it. I watched on instagram all week to see if Meatball had found a home. I called, left notes on their instagram, on their website and sent emails – no answer. I had devised a plan on how I could adopt Meatball and live off quinoa and a dream for a few months. They never got back to me, and days later I saw the photo of Meatball and his new parents. Ooof.
Pros:
Citipups looks clean and the puppies seem healthy.
They have a great selection of puppies
it’s in a convenient location.
Cons:
Their customer service is miserable. TAKE MY $ 4,200! TAKE IT. Nah.

Let it be known– I NEVER thought I would ever buy a dog when there are so many in need of homes in shelters. I adopted my 2.5 year-​old Pitbull from the San Francisco SPCA and have fostered through a local organization as well. I am ALL about the «Adopt Don’t Shop» mantra. Unfortunately, this has not been able to quell my ever persisting yearning for a French Bulldog. Alas, I have been on the hunt for one for two years. I have researched and visited dozens of pet shops in the Tri State area and found that the overwhelming majority bought their dogs from puppy mills. I attempted contacting local breeders but found their wait lists to be entirely full– a Frenchie is a hot commodity, apparently. Nearly a month ago, after countless calls to CitiPups in regards to their «puppy stock» and scouring Unilocal reviews, I made my way to the Chelsea location (after getting my boyfriend slightly tipsy so he wouldn’t put up a fight…) and met a 10 week-​old, cream male Frenchie. Yes, the store has a frenetic energy about it, but you’re in a store full of people freaking out over adorable, little puppies in one of the busiest cities in the world. Of course it’s going to be a little overwhelming… The staff is very helpful and patient. They let you play with the puppy in a little pen for as long as you need without making you feel rushed to make a decision.
It is safe to say, I hardly hesitated to drop the obscene amount of money on this little man. Beignet is perfect. He has an awesome disposition with a great sense of humor and is completely healthy (they throw in a free check up at their local Chelsea vet but beware, your pup will probably need more shots and I was charged $ 104 just for two. Take the free check up and wait to get any vaccines until you’re established with your local, and presumably cheaper, vet). The pups come with their AKC registration paperwork, family lineage, and their breeders address. I was able to research Benny’s breeder and ascertain that he is definitely NOT from a puppy mill. He also knew what wee wee pads were right off the bat– another sign he is from a breeder vs. a mill. CitiPups even called me a week after taking Benny home to make sure he is adjusting well– very thoughtful.
TIPS: Try to negotiate the price of the dog
Don’t feel pressured to purchase the «Puppy Package» they automatically assume you need and place on the counter for you. You will feel like you have to– but $ 12 for pump bottle of insulin for their blood sugar? I have never needed this for any of my previous dogs… Of course, I bought it because I was overwhelmed with the fact that I have a tiny, adorable, perfect puppy in my arms.
I feel silly even writing this review– but that’s how happy I am with Beignet and our experience with CitiPups. Adopt don’t shop, but if you’re going to buy– go here.

We got our Boston Terrier from CitiPups. We are true dog lover and we went to couple other pet store locations and staffs who works at the Chelsea location are so motivated and could tell they truly love dogs as much as we do.
I wasn’t planning to get puppy from the pet store originally but just fell in love with my puppy and couldn’t help thinking about him over night and went back to the store next day.
They were so helpful when my puppy was having a appetite issue, and even monitored him a day. They patiently listened my concerns and gave me tons of advice.
My puppy is one healthy dog, full of energy and can’t imagine my life with out him!!!

I generally enjoy coming to Citipups but this week when I walked in to get me some puppy time, the guy with the tattoos on his forearms was all like «no it’s too much effort.» What do you mean it’s too much effort? What if I wanted to actually buy the dog? What if by me playing with the dog later converted into a sale? What THEN? To be fair, I wasn’t going to buy the dog but that’s really not the point. All i’m sayin is when a girl needs some puppy time, let her have it.

ME (excited): Hello, This is Louise, I call you as you recommended me to, to ask about new dachshund puppies !
HIM: Hi Louise, we’re sorry, we don’t have any at this time, but really soon, you should try next friday.
ME (concerned): Ok, I will, thank you. But just to be clear: it’s been two month now that you’re telling me this every week…
HIM (irritated): …Yeah, well it takes time you know, we work with the same breeder for 20 years !!
ME: I totally understand, yes, but that’s precisely why I’m concerned: if you work with the same breeder for 20 years, how come you don’t know if a new litter is on its way? Can you tell me if a Dam is pregnant right now ?
HIM: … (Hang up)
PUPPY MILL my friends. This shit smells like PUPPY MILL.
Oh, and yeah. After being hanged up, I came to Unilocal and I red the posts. I’m now aware that the owner’s probably gonna comment in an agressive way. CLASSY.
Bring it on, I don’t mind. I just wanna let people know what happened. They will draw conclusions themselves about these «20 years» of bullshit.
—- UPDATE — 04.21.15 —
Dear Jake M.,
There’s no need to curse, for acting like a-​hole.
That said, you should know I came to both locations Chelsea and Christopher’s many times, like… nearly every week, for more than 5 months (…too bad you can’t recall me, but I understand there are many Doxie lovers, so I don’t really mind). I also went to different shelters, to find the right companion. I’ve been careful, and very patient. I think that’s why a sales person gave me his Citipups business card, to call directly on friday, as I came many and many time to meet new puppies.
I was very disappointed by this reaction over the phone. It ment a lot to me… Looking for a new family member is a great emotional deal. It’s weird to feel that you are not allowed to ask questions about the breeders, and apparently be served the same empty catch-​phrase of «20 years» etc. and being hanged up… Talk about me using curse words… LOL.
I guess if you were confident about these matters, you wouldn’t be so agressive, and you would be transparent… That’s what make me finaly decide to go and adopt a puppy from a reputable breeder: and that’s a commitment: traveling hours and hours to find a healthy pup and a person who is confortable with answering me every single questions about my dog, his mum, his dad, his siblings… Questions I’m allowed to ask, as a futur responsible owner.
I do not particularly need to point finger at Pet stores… back to my country, I adopted a dog from a store 15 years ago. It’s a new and awfull discovery for me, this all «puppy mill» thing. I wasn’t aware of such things exist here. I even went to few other pet stores in Manhattan before, before I did my «homework», and came to this sad conclusions. I just wrote two reviews about those whose behaviors are really weird. The fact is: I just wrote down what happened.
I do not know Felicia. I’m sorry if you have a problem with someone, but you should start to act responsibly and may admit that there is more than ONE SINGLE person pissed off by your attitude.
PS. How can it be a «hidden agenda», when the purpose of Unilocal is to write down your advice and testify about your experience? To share with other people who are looking for as many advice as possible? And why should I go «elsewhere» ?! Is this some kind of private territory where I should only write Alice-​in-​Wonderland-​kinda reviews ?
—- UPDATE — 11.10.15 —
For those who had enough patience to reach this point of the review, here’s my last comment: The owner first commented my review in a very accusative way. Then, he deleted his own comment as follow to my very accurate answer. Then, he reposted a brand new comment, as if nothing happened. Needless to say I won’t waste anymore time answering him back; the multitude of hasty comments he spread all over Unilocal speaks for itself.

I’ve been thinking about getting a dog for a while since I’ve moved to NYC. I went to multiple places around the city looking at other dogs but the store and the people working there seemed shady. I also tried to adopt a puppy but the process was long and no one seemed to care enough to respond back to my adoption papers. I was walking along 8^th Avenue one day when i came across Citipups. My friend and I initially went in just to play with puppies but they were all sleeping so we decided to come back the next day.
When we went the next day, we had come just in time to see all the new puppies come in. Emilio, the sales rep, asked me a few questions to try and determine what dog would suit me best. He ended up bringing out my current Morkie, Oliver, and I fell in love the moment I saw him. He was playful and energetic but also affectionate and loving. Emilio did a great job at choosing the best puppy for me! He went through all the supplies I would need and set me up at a vet close to where I live. He taught me all I would need to know about taking care of Oliver so overall, as a customer, I was satisfied with the experience.
Furthermore, two days after taking Oliver home he developed a cough and Citipups was so helpful with getting me the treatment I needed for him. Their 24 hour hotline is an amazing service. Holly the general manager had helped me figure out what was wrong and she wanted me to keep her updated on what was going on. They even covered the cost of Oliver’s visit and the cost of his medication.
Three months after I had gotten Oliver, I had received a call from Emilio about Oliver’s sister still being in the store. My parents had fallen in love with Oliver so I decided buying his sister would be great for my parents to have a pet of their own. Best decision I ever made. My parents love our new Morkie LuLu and Citipups made this second purchase a breeze. I love that the store had remembered me and kept me in mind when LuLu needed a home. To me, that is the greatest form of customer service you can get.
I highly recommend this place to anybody in search of a dog. They cater to you in every way possible and I now have two beautiful and healthy dogs because of it!

I bought my little girl in August 2011, she is a Papillion, super friendly and healthy as can be… I call her my discount dog, because I got her when she was almost 6 month of age. The great thing about Citipups is that they will keep bringing down the prices as the puppy gets older. In my opinion facility who doesn’t care about their animals would not do this, they rather see the puppy get a good home. (My final price $ 360) I did my research, and do believe that Citipups does not acquire their puppies from Mills. The staff let me take my time in my decision, I visited the store several times before I decided to purchase her. They even let me put her on lay-​away because I was going on vacation, therefore I put a deposit down and took her home a week later. Best purchase I ever made. My previous dogs have all been from adoption facilities. I understand the whole dilemma on pet stores and how puppy mills work and I would never support them. However, I often think what happens to the pet shop puppies? It’s not their fault to end up where they did. It’s a conundrum. .
Thank you Citipups for my lovable baby– her name is Jersey.

It frustrates me when I read some of the reviews about this company. Full disclosure, I have bought three dogs from Citipups. All of the paperwork was correct and genuine and the health of the dogs since we have had them has been exemplary.
When we purchased our Shiba Inu he had a few issues and Citipups were incredibly generous to take the time to nebulize him and get him back to health.
Citipups like any business exists to service a demand. Sure we’d all love it if people went to shelters but the reality is that I wanted an Italian Greyhound, a Shiba Inu and a Boston Bulldog mix and these were not in shelters local to me.
Citipups should be commended for providing a space for rescue organizations to find adopters. I don’t see protesters outside of a PetSmart or a PetCo, the conditions some of the animals there are enduring is shocking!
Instead of hating on a business that provides employment, pays taxes and genuinely takes care of the animals that they are selling, how about the haters and protesters take your efforts elsewhere. Go focus on the food chain and how animals are treated on that or the genetic modification of crops. That is more damaging than a store that I have experienced three times and will continue to use as we grow our family of pets.

We bought our Havaneese/​Papillon mix puppy from Citipups. The staff was so sweet & loved her so much– they were even sad to see her go. We had an issue of her being in shock at home with us & wanting to return her for having no personality (it was really bad) the staff was so understanding and urged us to give her some more time, & couldn’t have been any more helpful & accommodating with our puppy issues. We ended up keeping her & they were right she became the most full of life and loving beautiful puppy. Puppy stores tend to get awful reviews but truly Citipups care about every animal and every potential customer.

I like to walk around during the day to alleviate the lethargy forming due to my prolonged… everything. This place is a routine stop! I make it a point to walk here allllllll the way from my humble abode on the other side of the island. The dogs are all premium, with the breeds being your typical familiars with the added bonus of the new trendy hybrids, such as the Peagle and various –oodle variations.
But they also sell them like cars. And despite their assertions otherwise, I find it wholly inconceivable that they care enough about not making money to purchase their stock from places that aren’t routinely and actively sought out by PETA for cruel puppy mill practices.
If you don’t have a soul, buy here. If you do, find other options. Meanwhile, just browse. It’s far more humane. Plus, puppies are always the best to look at! Who doesn’t like puppies? Bad people.
One really good thing: they have adoption pups, too. An extra star for that :)

Citipups made one of my best friends cry, and since they don’t have an actual face I can punch them in, I’ll just post this one-​star review.
Cliff notes: They lied, they can’t be trusted, and they made it clear that they just see these pups as dollar signs. Here’s what happened:
I was here yesterday, in town with friends for the weekend, including one who happens to be looking to get a lab retriever. Like most well-​informed, even remotely socially conscious people, she’s technically against getting dogs from pet stores (puppy mills, people, look it up), but sometimes the heart wants what it wants, and she accidentally fell in love with an adorable yellow lab puppy. We were there for almost an hour as she wrestled with the possibility, got the okay from her housemates at home, researched dog walkers, solicited support from her parents, and, of course, fell more and more in love with the pup.
The store swore up and down that the puppy was from a reputable breeder (despite the puppy mills protesters out front), promising we could see the verifying paperwork after the purchase and that if we found a problem with it we could return the dog. Um, ok. Side note, we were also told first that it would grow only to around 40 pounds, later «maybe 50,» and much later «at least 60.» Shady.
Anyway, the friend finally decided to pull the trigger and went up to make a deposit to hold the pup, as we had nowhere to keep the dog overnight; we were driving back to DC the next day — today. At that point, they discovered there was some kind of paperwork issue, and said this dog’s paperwork may have been switched with those of a pup at another location. Because of this, we were told, they could not take a deposit, but they promised they would hold him for us anyway and they even put a sticker on his cage saying he’d been adopted. We told them we’d be back the next morning right when they opened to get him.
My friend spent the whole evening getting increasingly excited, looking over the millions of photos we’d snapped, texting and calling people about it, and trying out different names. She named him Chance. The next morning, she had a voicemail from the shop telling her to call before coming in. She called. They’d sold Chance to someone who’d come after her. They were sorry. They’d give her a discount on another dog.
My friend spent the morning crying in a coffee shop as we got ready to leave NY.
Screw this place. They were shady about giving any actual details about their «breeders» (puppy mills are breeders, by the way, just the crappy kind), obviously lied about having any idea what size the dog would be, had significant paperwork problems, and sold this puppy out from under my friend after refusing to take a deposit and promising to keep him overnight for us. I can’t say for sure whether Citi Pups uses puppy mills, but I can say definitively that you CANNOT TRUST THEM. Get an adorable puppy for $ 800+ cheaper with all available background info gladly provided upfront from a rescue society or animal shelter that actually has the best interests of the animals as their top priority — not making a buck.
Side Note/Don’t Judge Me:
I’ve always been adamantly against pet stores as a source for puppies since statistically speaking they’re probably from a puppy mill, but my friend is notoriously loathe to pull the trigger on big decisions, so although I’m anti-​pet-​store, I’m pro my friend getting a dog already. Anyway, bottom line is this place sucks and will happily screw you over if it means quick money in their pocket.
**************
Update:
Wow, the owner/​manager comment is infuriating. As I mentioned, CitiPups *refused* to take my friend’s deposit, due to a paperwork problem ON THEIR END. She obviously had filled out the buyer paperwork — that’s why they had her phone number. And when someone puts a «SOLD» sticker on the cage and tells you you can pick up the puppy in the morning, it’s pretty reasonable to assume you don’t need to check your phone for Sike-Actually-We’re-Selling-Your-Puppy-To-Someone-Else calls when you’re out later in the evening. (And by «calls,» I mean one call, no texts, that said to call back before returning in the morning.) Nice apology, Leo.