Sterling Lab Puppies

Review: In January of 2013 we contacted a Labrador retriever breeder in Yuba City, Ca. We went out several times to meet the breeder, [redacted], and to meet the dogs. We were very specific with [redacted] about wanting a puppy at the beginning of summer since I am a teacher. She told us the possible litters that would be available at that time. One such breeding fit perfectly in our time line, so we told [redacted] we wanted to go with that litter. We also told her that we wanted a male and our first preference was chocolate color. We paid a $200 deposit to hold our picking order. We were very excited to find out that the litter contained a chocolate male. After six weeks, we couldn't get [redacted] to return our emails. Finally she responded to tell us that a virus had hit her ranch and wiped out several litters. My puppy was not infected, but was killed by the mother dog sitting on him. We were devastated, but she said there was one male puppy left. Since this was the litter we put a deposit on, I went out to meet the puppy and decided to go with him. Two days later, she called and told me this puppy had died from the virus. No other puppies were left from this litter and I was very concerned with this mysterious virus, so we asked for our money back. She said that she was too poor to give us our money back. She kept trying to sell us random adult dogs and other puppies who had been sick, but lived. I contacted several vets in her area and finally located her vet. They couldn't tell me specifics, but they thought it could be a parvo virus. I absolutely did not want a sick puppy, so I asked again for my money and she refused. Several other people experienced the same outcome (after making contact with one and seeing a review from other) of being robbed of their money. After additional research, it appears as if she is running a puppy mill since she has more than 20 dogs on her property and numerous litters at a time. She now refuses to respond to my continued requests for my money backDesired Settlement: I want her to please refund our $200 deposit and be done with her forever. She obviously has the funds since she sells each dog for at least $1500. Since she currently has four litters available and six more planned (according to her website), I find it hard to believe she can't afford to refund our $200. This has been an absolutely horrible experience for my family and we want to be done with it. I want no further action to be done once we are refunded our money.

Business

Response:

In March of 2012 She requested to be added to our waiting list for a male labrador puppy. Chocolate was her first choice and yellow was her second choice but the timing was the most important. She and her family visited our ranch to meet us and our dogs numerous times. We spent an excessive amount of time educating her about Labradors, more than the normal family her deposit was well earned. Our deposits are non-refundable which is well documented on our web site, bill of sale and also verbal. Deposits can be transferred to any sex, color or litter of your choice. Unfortunately, we had an airborne virus that came to our ranch and took the lives of several puppies. The virus did test negative at the time for parvo. Several local Vets , performed autopsys, extensive test, blood work and our Vet started working with State of California after extensive studies they believed it to be a new parvo virus. Our family and Vets were working around the clock caring for and trying to save the puppies, we were exhausted, stress and sleep deprived. As soon as things settled and we had answers customers were notified. Because we knew how important the summer timing was for her and her family we offered her a chocolate male that was the pick of the litter. We were planning on keeping him but he was from the same sire as the puppy she wanted that she never met but only a week younger. We did guarantee him for 25 months from any genetic disorder and 10 days free of parvo. As I explained to her, parvo is a virus and if a puppy does not get it and recovers they will have an incredible immune system and probably will be one of the healthiest dogs ever per our Vet. When she refused the chocolate male we offered her any puppy of any color, out of any litter or to remain on the puppy waiting list. We also tried to accommodate her my giving her a choice of an older dog. I have spoken with her numerous times and nothing seems to satisfy her.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

[redacted]e has not offered a resolution to the problem.

[redacted] seems to have her facts a bit off. I did indeed contact her on March 8th through email. I wanted to get some information on her business and find out if she had any planned litters. On March 9th, she replied back with the following e-mail:

"Good Morning , I would be happy to share any information about

our labradors. Have you had a chance to look at our web site and see

our dogs and some of our puppies? We have several litters arriving the

end of this month and beginning of April which would mean a puppy going

home with you in late May early June. What color and sex do you want?

Also do you know the difference between english and american labrador?

If not give me a call and I would be happy to explain

A

$200. deposit holds your picking order in the litter. About 3/4 of our

puppies are reserved before they are born. The puppies range in price

from $1,200 to $1,600. I would also like to know how active your family

is so I can help match the right litter to your family.