Lucky Puppy

My girlfriend and I are in the process of getting a puppy from an ex-​Lucky-​Puppy employee who had rescued him from the store. He was going to be sent back to the breeders to be put down because he was walking funny. We took him to two separate vets who both said that his trouble walking was very likely due to the fact that the owners were heavily overdosing him on medication that can cause neurological problems in smaller dogs (this is part of the «preventative medical care» they talk about on their website. He’s been off the medication now for a few days, and he’s been improving by leaps and bounds!
It’s disgusting to know that the owners of Lucky Puppy can stay in business. The Humane Society has solid proof that this store continues to buy their puppies from puppy mills, in spite of the fact that they claim to hand-​pick their puppies from small breeders.
Do the right thing, folks: stay away from this store! They support an inhumane industry. If you want a puppy, there are countless beautiful shelter dogs that need a good home!
UPDATE: I received two angry, incoherent messages from «David W.» who questioned the evidence I mention regarding the store’s relationship with puppy mills. The obvious answer would be the news report by WCIA broadcast shortly after the store opened (
). If you want to see evidence for yourself, go check out some of their puppies and try to find out where they came from. David W., whoever you are, I stand by everything in this review. If you disagree with me, why don’t you write your own review instead of hurling cowardly insults at my girlfriend and I through private messages.
Also, our puppy (Tonka) is now walking very well and is actually able to run, no thanks to the owners of Lucky Puppy who would have sent him back to be put down.

Whenever this store gets bad press, the owners always insist that whatever negative things are being said are untrue, that they are really wonderful people who care deeply what happens to the puppies they sell, blah, blah, blah. Well, when I was walking through the mall yesterday, I saw a bunch of signs outside the store that revealed their true colors beyond any doubt. What did the signs say, you ask? They are advertising the fact that they now offer FINANCING!!! 90 days same as cash, if you want to know the particulars. Normally I would never post a review of a place I haven’t patronized, but this had me so disgusted I had to put the word out.
Someone please explain to me how someone who cannot afford to obtain a dog in the first place is going to be able to give it proper care, quality food, regular veterinary care, pay for health emergencies, etc. The simple answer is that they can’t. I cringe to think of the impulse buys being encouraged by this and the numerous designer puppies that will undoubtedly end up at the humane society, suffering neglect at the hands of unprepared irresponsible owners, or worse. Anyone who wanted to give the owners of this horrible little place the benefit of the doubt now know the truth: All they care about is making money, welfare of the dogs be damned! It’s sickening, and I really hope that someone finds a way to drive these despicable people out of business.
Lucky Puppy, shame on you!!! And shame on Marketplace Mall for keeping such a reprehensible tenant. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go make a donation to the Champaign County Humane Society since I imagine they’ll need the extra funds in a month or so when all the «lucky» puppies start getting dumped on their door step. Their donation page can be found here:

Recently the Wisconsin Humane Society bought out the puppy mill that was supplying Lucky Puppy. (
) Unfortunately, it’s likely they will find another puppy mill to buy from.
Also, a well known dog product company called Planet Dog pulled its products from the store when they heard what kind of business it was.
Lucky Puppy is still open, but hopefully these small victories will make a dent in its business.