Just Pups

Deserves 0 stars. It’s like puppy prison when you walk in. I was interested in the behavior of a certain breed so I stopped in. All you see is 2 – 3 puppies in each cage that covers the entire length of the store, over 50 on one side of the wall. It’s so sad when you walk in there. The puppies look miserable and they aren’t socialized properly. Took a puppy out to play and she was wild as if she’s never been out of there. Meanwhile the wall of endless cages full of puppies are barking away at us for attention. Other pups are crying or non stop barking at each other. It’s insane in there. The playpen smells and it’s sticky and it’s in the middle of the narrow store. This place needs to be shut down and all those pups should be put up for adoption.

we purchased a boxer 2 years ago at the paramus store and had to return it because it was sick and not getting better, we made a big stink about it and got our money back — we are not surprised by the recent news and if you google, he’s had problems since 2011 when he owned other pet stores under different names

Sold us a sick dog. Went back and wouldn’t refund or help pay for surgery. Puppy died a few months later. So sad! Shut these stores down! We now have a rescue… the only way to go!

This is truly the worst place ever! They sold me a sick dog that died! We spent our Christmas all the way past New Years in and out of Vets and dog hospitals!!! Eventually the Vet told us that the dog wasn’t going to make it and it should be put to sleep! My wife and I had taken pictures of the puppy when we were at the pet store! We decided to look at them again after they put the dog to sleep. We noticed when we made the pics much larger on our phone that the dog had green discharge and mucus coming from the puppy’s nose! They knew the dog was sick and sold it to us anyway!!! Truly a despicable place that only cares about making money! The place smells terrible and the dogs are kept in horrible conditions! I truly hope they close this place down soon and the owner goes to prison for a very long time!!! Our complaint has been filed with the NJ SPCA!

This place is frightening. My fiancé and I went here to look at puppies a few weeks ago and were absolutely appalled at what we saw. All of the puppies seemed lethargic and just miserable and most of them had this terrible cough. A few of the puppies were barking in their cages (they’re puppies they bark) and the kid working there was kicking the cages and screaming at them to «Shut Up». I was so shocked, I couldn’t believe it! Then we asked about a particular puppy and the girl working said «I’m not sure what it is but it’s $ 1600, I think its a Wheaten» She didn’t know what ‘IT’ was? These poor little puppies are scared, cold and just want to be loved and these people were so terrible to them. It made me so upset. I truly can’t believe that the way this place operates is legal, its cruelty to animals and it made me sick.

My 2.5 lb chihuahua that I got from their Valhalla store came with double pneumonia and kennel cough. They signed off that she was healthy. Now they’re giving me trouble about reimbursing me for $ 1000 plus in vet bills! They said they never would have let her go if she was sick! Their own Dr agrees with my doctor! I won’t stop til I get my medical expenses paid. Next I call the better business bureau

I truly regret having ever walked into this store. I had been thinking about buying another puppy since our beloved Yorkie passed away last October. On December 29^th, 2015, I put a deposit on a beautiful 8 week old Yorkie that had just come in that day. She seemed very healthy and alert. I was told that her papers would come in on Jan 7^th and that I could come in then.
I went back on the 7^th to pay the balance and take our baby home. The girl then explained that they had a 2.7lb weight requirement and the dog could not be released. This weight requirement is the same for a dog that will be 5lbs or 75lbs. The pup was gaining steadily for the next 7 days so I asked if it would be possible to have her released at 2.1lbs because I was very concerned about her health and wellbeing. I asked to speak to the owner and he told the store manager the pup cannot leave until she makes the weight. I have never heard of anything like this. I explained that I am an experienced Yorkie owner for the past 30+ years, and I have a 12 year old healthy Yorkie at home. I did not want to risk his health if the puppy contracted kennel cough or anything else. When I finally spoke to the owner’s son, he said he understood my concerns but that they have this store policy to guarantee a healthy puppy because small dogs can suffer from hypoglycemia, kennel cough, parasites, etc., so «if» she got sick then they would take care of her and give medication (without proper diagnostic tests). I expressed that the longer she was there the more her health was compromised by being exposed to the other sick dogs that are cycled from location to location and not to mention the very stressful environment. Living in a grid metal crate and sleeping in her food bowl with no daily exercise, as well as being exposed to the temperature changes from the back door, is their idea of caring for a puppy. He said she’s fine and if she doesn’t make the weight, I would have to wait till she was 16 weeks. I said that is unacceptable, I was losing valuable training time and bonding time. He then said that I can get a refund if I didn’t want to wait. I was very upset and I had already fallen in love with the puppy so I pleaded with him to please ask his father. He said he would contact him and call me with his decision. I heard nothing from either one.
I was at this store visiting with my puppy every day for the past month, and I was witness to all that goes on in that store. The front staff is comprised of very young girls with little to no knowledge about the dogs. I would stop in at all different hours and at any time I’d come in to loud, deafening music to drown out the crying dogs. The stench of ammonia/​poop made it difficult to stay for long visits. These «kids» are administering medications, putting these animals on IV fluids when they fall ill. They clean up the urine and feces with the same mop and spread it all over. The dogs are neglected, then are yelled at when being too loud. They have so many dogs in one crate there is not enough room, so the dogs attack each other. They’re supposed to isolate the purchased dogs in the back room but that’s also where they keep the sick dogs. Being there the last 4 weeks I saw these puppies with colds, coughs, irritation to their eyes and skin, and bite marks. These poor animals are distressed which also compromises their immune system. I stopped in Friday the 22^nd, before the snow storm to visit with my puppy; she was very anxious. I asked again if the owner had checked on the pup because I wanted to take her home. They called him and he said that he would review her chart and take a look at her next week. I went in on Monday ¹⁄₂₅ and it was obvious the puppy was not feeling well. I asked the MOD if anyone had noticed that she wasn’t feeling well and if the vet was scheduled to come in this week. She said the pup was just cold. On Wednesday «Tilly» was shivering, she couldn’t keep her head up, and she had a horrible croupy cough. My heart broke and I asked the girl to please call the vet immediately because she is very ill. She said she would start antibiotics and fluids before even having a diagnosis. I called Thursday morning to inquire and the MOD said the pup was eating and that’s a good sign. I asked again about the vet and they said she’d be in later. I called about 5:30pm. They said she was put on medicine for kennel cough. On Friday morning I received a phone call from the store telling me that «Tilly» had died. The girl said she didn’t know what happened. She offered me a store credit that could be applied towards another puppy.
I have recently come to find out that she was left in a cold crate alone without a heating pad. The store was closed during the storm. Her body temperature dropped so much she could not recover.
The owner hasn’t even had the decency to extend a courtesy call. Now, I grieve for two dogs. I was told that I would be refunded the full amount paid. Let’s hope that happens!

My family and I got a puppy from just pups about three months ago and when we first brought him home he was very shy and scared of almost everything (understandable because of new environment). By the time we took him to the vet for a check up it turns out he had giardia. Which was an extra bill for us to rack up. A week after that, our pup started throwing up and so we had to take him to vet again. Now it’s three months later and he’s a happy pup, but it took us vet trips/​bills and medications to get him to this point. Giardia is easily spread and the contact of puppy to puppy there is very close knit so most of them probably have it. Staff there was nice, but also kind of mysterious as they couldn’t give us much info on the breeders but the city that they live in. Our puppy is a Schnoodle but just pups doesn’t really give information about who the breeders were and lots of rumors talk of «puppy mills» so be careful.

Brought my daughter in to look for a puppy, what a mistake. The staff was rude, unknowledgeable about the puppies and got annoyed when you asked questions. The cages were filthy and a few of the puppies were sitting in diarrhea. They claimed one of the puppies I inquired about was only 10 weeks old but his nails were super long and he looked like he needed to be groomed already. Clearly not a 10 week old puppy. Some of the puppies were lethargic and looked sickly. When we were there another customer came in looking for the owner to speak to them in regards to his puppies health. After going home and doing some research it’s actually cheaper to buy a puppy direct from a breeder. We will never step foot in another pet store or puppy boutique again. I wish I could give them zero stars but that wasn’t an option.

I too bought a puppy from here. She had so many intestinal issues it took multiple trips to the vet to correct it. I love my puppy and she has the best personality and thanks to my vet she is ok! (Not the vet they recommend) however watching her struggle to go to the bathroom and the live worms crawling out of her poop are enough for me to never go there again.

My longtime best pal passed away not to long ago so I pass this place every day going home from work, I figured let’s stop and see.
I asked to look at a male boxer pup about 2 ½ months old, he was gorgeous, I lifted his lips to take a look and they were white, I mean white as can be… so I said to the the girl that the dog needs attention. well forget it she took it personal and started to get personal with me.
UNREAL…THE DOG IS SICK KID!!! I wasn’t attacking I was giving you my experienced observation… anyway don’t go here let’s put them out of business. Plus I’m going to engage in animal cruelty complaint first thing…

Never buy from this place. I should have known better the staff is nice at first but after the purchase they SUCK!!! My puppy has kennel cough the kennel cough of course was passed to my 6 year old pug:(It turned into bronchitis in my pug. I faxed bills to the CHILD manager they have and she said oh its nothing to do with me I will send it over to corporate. I asked if I can call them myself and she was like no I have to send it. after that they handle it and again I asked for corporates number and she said she didn’t have it… Really Then how do you contact them. What a lie. So I will continue to call this store and bug them until I here from the corporate office or get my 900 in vet bills back. I may even go there and bring the sick pup with me and see what they do or I may just file a small claims suit since I work in the courts already that’s the route I am going to go unless I receive a call soon your store will be summonsed with papers. No Joke.

blah

Got a beautiful puppy today. I absolutely adore him. Staff was very nice but in bad health horrible case of giardia, kennel cough and under weight.
Giardia can be deadly to puppies and caught very easily through contact. It requires medication to treat it. If you get a puppy from here have it check for giardia right away. The whole store must have it as its easily catching. Kennel cough is also contagious and can spread rapidly… it can last weeks.
I called the manager to tell her that my new puppy has it and I can’t say that I got a surprised reaction. She seemed to know or at least be very unconcerned.
Test your puppy for this and ask them or you will be very sorry if you don’t. You will have to sign a ton of papers saying you are not going to hold them liable for the puppies health. This is all bull, you are protected by state law and they have to deal with your issues … They are accountable for the health of your puppy. Don’t be intimidated.
I am going after them out of justice and fairness. This is wrong to have puppies suffer and wrong to cheat people.
It hardball time.
The only reason I’m giving one star is because I love my puppy and because it’s the owners fault for allowing this to and the staff at least tries.

Attention dog lovers! Save yourself a trip, do not buy from this store! On May 9^th I went in and left a deposit on a female mini-​schnauzer. I was told if I paid in cash I would receive a good discount, so I left a cash deposit. After the paperwork was completed I was told she could not come home with me but I would be able to pick her up on May 18^th. I was disappointed but reluctantly left without the puppy. On May 18^th I called to confirm that I was picking up the puppy and was told that the puppy could not be released as she had kennel cough and was on medication. I asked how much longer she would need to be held and they said at least another 7 days or until her medication was finished. Not having heard anything further, I again telephoned the store on Monday, May 26^th, asking if I could now pick up the puppy as 8 days had passed. I was told that the puppy was STILL SICK AND COUGHING and she would have to be held at least another week.
I asked that due to these events I would like to have my money back as this is not working for me and I am very apprehensive of this puppy’s general health. They told me ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS WHATSOEVER! They even had the audacity to ask if they could put the puppy back up for sale since I did not want her anymore! I wish I had read these reviews before visiting this store but I was so depressed from the recent death of my 13 y/​o mini schnauzer that I wanted to get another puppy right away. Now I understand why they encourage cash purchases because on a credit card you at least get a chance to dispute the charge in a case like this.
Don’t even purchase a pet from this store, especially if you cannot take it with you! This has been the most horrible and disappointing experience for me and I have owned dogs over 40 years! I plan on pursuing further remedies, but in the meantime I do not have a dog and I am losing $ 500.00 because I do not want a sick puppy!

After the home invasions started a month ago I came into the shop looking for a big protective dog. They didn’t have any German Shepherds or Rotties in the store. The puppies in there seemed sad and one golden retriever wouldn’t even come next to me. Very unsocialized animals here. I heard lots of things about this chain but finally saw with my own eyes. All of the dogs had either stuff coming out of their noses or bone dry noses. One puppy was a beagle and I asked to play with him and he was biting the sales guys arm and hurting him. I turned around and left. These poor babies are doomed.

I was in the process of purchasing a puppy from the Paramus location and it has been the most horrifying experience. Initially I had not planned on purchasing a puppy from that store, but I held the dog and fell in love. I ended up leaving a deposit the same day, on a beautiful little yorkie. Due to their ludicrous store policy I was not allowed to take him home with me (as he did not reach 15 weeks [which is unheard of amongst breeders] or 2.7 lbs [also unheard of]. I had no choice at that point so for the past month or so I went to the store daily to visit my little guy. Each time I went to visit there was something else wrong with him, things I had to bring to the attention of the dimwitted staff. One of the girls was kind enough to take what I said seriously instead of brushing me off saying he just woke up. She then realized my puppy had not been eating. The dog becomes hospitalized. I am getting the runaround from the hospital claiming I do not have the right to know (as they are one of the ‘recommended veterinarians’ which essentially means they are in cahoots with the god awful store). Upon calling the store multiple times to find out what is going on with my puppy, they too gave me unreasonably vague answers and would only provide me with one update a day. After practically harassing both the store manager who hardly merits the name, as she is an extremely young and confused girl, and Teaneck Animal Clinic who most likely does disgusting back door dealings with these horrendous stores– I had enough. I called the store again to get my update, & was told I should wait until they contact me– that this is normal that puppies get sick sometimes & they can get worse and die so I should prepare myself. What kind of a statement is that to say to someone who has only wanted to be apprised of his condition? For days, I was lied to, saying he was fine and had an IV & now he may die? It was unacceptable. I demanded to speak to the owner. Upon asking for his number, I was denied. Upon asking for his email, I was denied. The veterinary clinic was now ignoring my calls/​hanging up on me. I strong-​armed the manager to have Vincent LoSacco contact me because I was enraged. The store manager was trying to talk over me on the phone, & when I asked her what right she had to be administering medication to my dog in the first place, she rebutted in a snarky manner claiming to be in training for a vet assistant position. Congratulations, honey. You’re still not a licensed vet & should not be pumping any medication into any animal-​period. And if that is the case, why did I have to point everything out for you? Then when I ask you a simple question you tell me you’re not a vet. Pathetic. For over a month and more specifically over those four horrific days my pal was in the hospital dying while I experienced this unprofessionalism, succinct disinterest in my position, and endured nonsensical comments such as «we still own the dog, we can’t tell you.» Each time I noticed an issue with my puppy I brought it to the attention of 3 members of the staff, and asked them what was wrong with the dog. 1 would state, «he has kennel cough we have him on antibiotics.» 2 would state, «He is fine he just has a cold, I don’t know-I’M NOT A VET». 3 would state, «Oh we are upping the dosage of the antibiotics for your puppy don’t worry he will be fine». It isn’t very reassuring when A) Unlicensed dimwits are pumping your dog full of god knows what however many times a day, which definitely played a role in his contraction of gastroenteritis which is a fancy word for STOMACH FLU. Additionally, there certainly is no schedule for the amount or type of drug being administered to the animals. B) I ask one question in the same format to three people only to get three different bogus answers. C) Can we revisit the fact that they are administering antibiotics to animals without having a license? The fear that grew in me more and more each day caused me to look further into their contract that I refused to sign due to an interesting clause stating that if I were to take my puppy to an outside veterinarian not recommended by Just Pups then I as the owner would assume sole fiscal responsibility for all health bills the puppy will have, then invalidating the ‘one year health guarantee’. This cute caveat allows for them to, in a sense, circumvent New Jersey state law insofar as their responsibilities are concerned for health bills. New Jersey state laws mandates pet stores must cover the dog’s expenses (even if I should go to an outside vet) for the first 6 months I have the dog in MY possession-​, which NEVER occurred. Needless to say after the huge stink I caused Vincent LoSacco called my cellphone from a conveniently blocked number (we all know this wasn’t his first rodeo) to inform me that my dog was euthanized. Due to a stomach flu and bronchitis? Their negligence cost my dog his life, these stores must be shut down. NEVER go here

DO NOT GET A DOG FROM HERE! I got a dog from here almost two years ago. While I love him so much, and he is a great dog, he was deathly ill when I got him. He had a very bad case of kennel cough. While this is common in dogs in pet stores and shelters, it is VERY dangerous in dogs under the age of 6 months. Since his cough was very loud, i question how they did not hear it and treat him (he was coughing the first night I had him – not weeks after I had him like the store tried to suggest). How could they sell such a sick dog? His medical costs were $ 500 to get rid of the kennel cough (multiple rounds of antibiotics and visits to my vet). I then got a certificate from my vet that the dog was unfit for sale. Unfortunately, because I was unfamiliar with the laws within the state of NJ, I filed the paper work too late and was not able to get any money back from the store.
I also contacted the Paramus board of health to report the store in order to try to save other puppies from living in horrible, unsanitary conditions. The board of health could care less and I question the intelligence of the people who work there. In the end, the store owner sent me an essentially illiterate letter and the stress this entire situation was causing me was way too much (dealing with morons is way more difficult than I ever imagined). I paid the 1500 just to be rid of them. These are PUPPY MILL DOGS! If you really want to «rescue» dogs from living in horrible conditions, adopt from a shelter or puppy mill rescue. I hope that people stop buying from here so that it will go out of business soon!

I don’t know how true their promise of reputable breeders only is. I like to take people’s word on things so we visited three times seriously considering purchasing a puppy here. However I seriously question why a good breeder would want the puppies they lovingly raised to end up here. The dogs are beautiful, the location is nice, and the many young people working there are very friendly and love and care for the dogs adoringly. There were several problems though. I asked several questions to the workers and they weren’t very knowledgable. I was looking at cavapoos and I asked if any were F1B mixes (would mean less shedding). This is very common language amongst designer breed mixes and none of the employees knew what I was talking about. I asked about parents and breeders and they didn’t have much more to offer than what state they were shipped in from. I didn’t ask about certified health clearances for the parents or the pups, I should have. However this information was not readily available or advertised and nothing on the website promises this, only that they’re dewormed and vaccinated. I see nothing on their website nor heard anything during our three visits about contractually requiring that puppies be spayed and neutered when old enough or that purchasers are required (or even permitted) to bring their dogs back to the store if they cannot continue to care for them, as good breeders are supposed to do. These are the problems that cause the overpopulation of pets ending up in shelters! The dogs were so cute though that we were ready to overlook all that. After spending time with several puppies, we noticed there was a cage of nearly 1yr old goldendoodles at reduced prices. We asked why the sale and the sweet workers said it’s because the older dogs deserve a better shot at finding a home than they have against the younger puppies. That makes sense and stretched our heartstrings. We seriously almost brought a 1yr old goldendoodle home with the mindset like this is a type of «rescue». However, real rescues have a greater advantage than pet store dogs in many ways (and I am not a rescue activist). This dog we loved had absolutely no manners or training and had been only peeing and pooping on wood chips in her cage her entire one year old life! She has never been brought outside. How terrible! Rescue groups I’ve visited definitely brought their dogs outside periodically. These dogs have a larger indoor play area than their cages but not adequate for the dog and paves a difficult path for an owner trying to train their pup. We were willing to take her home and give her all the love and hours of training that she would need to go from difficult dog to a good dog. However, we couldn’t morally choose to do it this way. If we’re going to put so much love into rehabilitating a dog it should be a rescue whose difficult life so far has been because of bad owners. This pet shop dog’s one year life has been unfortunate because she spent a year in a pet shop cage. Paying the store for the dog would be equal to paying the bad former owners of a rescue and would perpetuate the problem. My fear with this review is that it may cause the owners to decide to not keep those older dogs around any more. Where would they go, and where do dogs that don’t sell currently end up? I fear a shelter but of course I don’t know. The pet shop mediatory between breeders and owners is an overall terrible system though as every dog while in their possession is homeless and we need less homeless dogs in this world. Please either consider a rescue or purchase a pup directly from high quality breeders.

NOT REPUTABLE! BUYER BEWARE!
Took my boxer puppy to my vet right after taking her home. She came up positive for kennel cough. Went to the store for reimbursement under the lemon law and was told I would receive a check in two weeks. Never got the check. My vet later told me that they had seen three more instances of puppies with kennel cough that were purchased from Just Pups. We nursed our puppy back to health and all is well now. I wouldn’t deal with these people again but if you do make sure you take your puppy to the vet ASAP.