Complain about a product or service

Shake A Paw Puppies

Michael of Long Beach, NY May 30, 2009

We purchased a three month old pure bred english bulldog puppy (or so they say pure bred) from Shake A Paw in Lynbrook in April of 2008. The total cost quoted for her was 2600, however total actual cost came to over 3000. Long story short, the puppy came from Oklahoma most likely from a puppy mill. The salesperson said she was AKA certified, not AKC. I am not a dog expert but I have never heard of the AKA. Also, she does not have the features of your standard English Bulldog (she has less wrinkles, is a little scrawny) I was assured that the owner of Shake a Paw has two dogs of his own from this specific breeder.

At about 13 months old the dog developed epilepsy. She now experiences very violent seizures and cluster episodes every few weeks. We have brought her to numerous vets and emergency facilities to treat the disorder. One night she had 30 seizures in a 16 hour period. We have spent a total of over 5000 out of pocket (excluding the cost of the dog) in vet bills. When I brought all the evidence to shake a paw and explained that they had sold us a sick dog, the manager basically told me there was nothing he can do but give us a replacement dog if she dies. I've contemplated putting the dog to sleep but we are too attached to her. Now because of her idiopathic epilepsy she will be on at least two medications daily for the rest of her life. The dog is not even a year and a half old. NEVER BUY A DOG FROM SHAKE A PAW! No matter how cute.

robin of little egg harbor, NJ May 2, 2009

I bought a black cockapoo from shake a paw 3yrs ago, or thats what i thought my family has owned 3 other cockapoos before and she looks like none of them! The day i got her she was on a cold floor in a little box with a bull dog puppy nipping at her ears (which were all infected a week later). I took her in the room with me and she just gave me a look like get me out of here! that was all it took 10min later we were on our way home. Olive is know 3yrs old and has alot of issues, she is scared of people, always has her tail down, and pees and lets out a loud yelp anytime someone touches her! it is so sad! although she is great with me and my husband and we love her to death, i blame shake a paw. I know she is from a puppy mill AND I AM SO GLAD THERE STORES ARE CLOSED! that just proved something wasnt right with there stores!

Michelle of Oceanside, NY April 20, 2009

I have been searching for the perfect puppy for over 2 years, and I found him at Shake a Paw. I had gone to other stores in search of a puppy, but always came back to shake a paw for many reasons. We visited both stores many times over the past 2 years to look for a miniature schnauzer puppy. Each time we went in, we were treated well, were given the opportunity to play with the puppy alone and were given advice concerning allergies we may have. They even suggested isolating us with our puppy outside to test our allergies! Both stores are clean and offer state-of-the-art facilities for the puppies and customers, too. They have a huge selection of accessories, too. Everyone was patient with us during our search. We were given an excellent price and finally got a happy and healthy puppy 2 months ago. He is intelligent and loving. I had a wonderful experience and would recommend them to anyone who wants a puppy.

Michael of Levittown, NY January 23, 2009

My girlfriend, three kids and I purchased an English bulldog from Shake a paw on election day Nov 7th, 2008 for approx 3000. We named her coco and took her for all her necessary shots and vet visits. We grew to love her as a part of our family. On Inaugral day, approx 79 days later our puppy dropped dead right in front of me. Emergency vet said possible seizure or burst blood vessel in the lungs, possibly congenial. The vet also mentioned getting many unhealthy puppies from shake a paw. I would also like to note i have a healthy five year old bulldog purchased somewhere else that resides in our home and lives in the same environment our coco did before passing.

We purchased from shake a paw understanding they had a great warranty in case of health problems. When we brought the paperwork to shake a paw and explained our situation, expecting to bring home a new puppy (who could never fix the hurt we have been through but possibly quicken the recovery time) we were told there was no proof it was congenial and they could do nothing for us. That was another heartbreaking experience. I rushed to cancel the cremation of our puppy in case a autopsy is needed. I am awaiting to hear from my vet since she is out of the office to see if we can prove its congenial.

Arent there lemon laws concerning the life of the puppy? Do i have any rights to fight this further? we just bought a house and are struggling to get by as it is and cannot afford another bulldog yet I know that is the only thing that would make my family a little happier right now. please give me any information you have on this, and any other complaints against shake a paw. thank you for your time.

Almost 4000 already lost. But would just like shake a paw to replace a female english bulldog, like the sales reps made us think was in their warranty.

Seth of Cedarhurst, NY January 9, 2009

I purchased an English bulldog puppy mid December. I won't go into detail about what happened to her but upon having her in my home for 8 hours I could tell she had kennel cough which turned into pneumonia. My question is simple. Being contagious diseases it is obvious these dogs are all sick why do they not show symptoms in the store? Unfortunately the only explanation is these dogs are being drugged daily to mask the symptoms. I pray every day this place gets shut down

my 3,000 puppy has become a 6,000 puppy in a months time! Stores answer: why wouldn't you bring him to our vet it would have been free! Needless to say the reason I wouldn't bring my puppy to their vet is quite obvious.

Juliette of Garden City, NY December 24, 2008

My family purchased a puppy for our children for Christmas. Within 20 hours of puchase, we were at the vet and then the animal hospital. Two days later, the puppy died. We were crying and very sad. The puppy had Parvo virus. We looked up the breeder, Jessica F, and found out that she runs a puppy mill in Missouri, and there are many compaints against her. Yet Shake a Paw continues to do business with her. They stated they have worked with her for 4 years.

Shake a Paw instructed us to throw out everything the puppy slept on or touched, as Parvo is highly contagious and fatal to many animals. So we did. We returned all of the unused products. At this point, they told us that they would not refund all of the accessories for the dog, which totaled over 500! When I started to cry at the store Mark took me outside and proceeded to have a tantrum and yell at me as if I had done something wrong. I felt threatened and walked away.

Lost 500. Pain and suffering for my family.

Marci of Yardley, PA November 28, 2008

We purchased a Yorkie in December 2007. Upon getting him home and observing him, we noticed her would drink huge amounts and pee as if the water would go in and straight out of him. This behavior continued and we brought it up with our vet. At first the vet mentioned Diabetes Insipitus but said it was rare. We took urine samples to vet and we found his urine had no Specific Gravity. This led the vet to diagnose Diabetes Insipitus and tell us that we had a very sick dog. My children were already attached to the puppy and we knew with this disease if we gave the dog back to Shake A Paw, they would probably have him put to sleep. The medication that he must take everyday twice is DDAVP,Desmopressin, a hormone that this dog is missing.

Since December we have spent approx 1800 on medication plus more in the vet bills. We notified American Express and had the charges for the dog disputed. American Express found in our favor and reversed the charges. Jeff then, fraudulently used our credit card number again, to charge us again. We were informed by American Express that it was illegal for him to use our credit card number to charge us again and also against AMEX's agreement with their merchants. AMEX once again investigated the charges and again, reversed the charges.

Now, Jeff from Shake A Paw is suing me for the charges. I go to court on December 17th, 2008.

Meds will cost us 300 per month for the rest of this dogs life. He must be monitored for his blood pressure and specific gravity of his urine monthly for the rest of his life. His condition will worsen and his kidneys will always be in danger of failing. Medication will be metabolized thru the liver so there is a chance of damage to his liver at any time.

Rachel of New York, NY September 12, 2008

My boyfriend and I have been to shake a paw in lynbrook numerous times and last week we decided to purchase a boxer.While I was at work my boyfriend went to the store to purchase te boxer without me. She was 5 month old boxer we called roxy she was kinda skinny but jeff assured us it was just normal. The dog was on sale for 850 and he gave my boyfriend a deal of 850 but after all these ludacris charges came out to a little shy of 1000 dollars

when I cam home to my new puppy i noticed she looked skinnier within in a couple hours she started vomiting and pooping blood then a gag then looked like dry heaves in human terms. As soon as my boyfriend paid thats when he said they started saying all the medications the dog was one the poor dog was miserabllleee!!!!

we ended up having to take her to a animal hospital in westbury,long island in the middle of the nite the vet was soo nice after seeing the dog she notified us that the dog was VERRYY sick and that if we were to keep her it woulld cost us thousands in medical bills she said the dog was extremley skinny extremley dehydrated a bacteria infection due to the boold in her fecal matter bad case of kennel cough etc. But most of all she believed that roxy had parvo which is an illness that 98% live so we were heart broken and very upset by the fact that they had sold us a sickdog...no wonder she was on sale

unfortunatley if i was more finacialy stable I would of loved to keep her but we decided we would have to give her back the vet issued us a form of unfitness that way we would get our money back which was the least of the worries at the time. My boyfriend and i arrived at the time they opened to be greeted by the very unproffesional and rude mananger Tashi letting us know we would be reiumbiursed in 10 business days by check meanhwile my boyfriend had paid cash.

Unfortunatly we had to call the police to help us settle the matter because my boyfriend was very upset the manager himself said that jeff the salesman are in no way qualified about dogs there pure salesman no knowledge whatsoever about our roxys health conditions.I will NEVER EVER go to shake a paw again horrible service and sick dogs and to put the cherry on top of our story our new puppy that lasted us a couple hours was put back for sale.

Jennifer of Northport, NY August 20, 2008

Shake a Paw is not only terrible for dogs, but for rabbits as well. I bought my 2 month old (sup. a flop, who knows) bunny and I was obsessed with him. He was so adorable and was doing great. My boyfriend works nights, so he was perfect and I could come home to him every night. He was so soft and fluffy and happy. About 5 days after I got him, I noticed he stopped pooping. I called the vet the following day and went in the next day.

After a vet (87), an emergency vet (257), and a super rabbit vet (398, so far), I found my rabbit to have GI Statis. It's a condition that clogs up the rabbits intense. He is currently in the ICU and it doesn't look good. I am so miserable. I bonded with this amazing, personable bunny. When I called Shake a Paw to complain, they said they would give me a new one and I could give them the sick one back. Ohhh, okay, so I would give them the sick bunny back and they would toss him...or try to re-sell him?

NO ONE there knew what they were talking about. My vet even called to complain. What are these people thinking? I am sorry, but I am an animal lover, not hater and I just don't toss out a 2 month old bunny and get a new one. My vet also said she has seen multiple animals come out of shake a paw with major problems. If my bunny dies, which would make me MISERABLE, I am going after Shake A Paw BIG TIME.

John of Mineola, NY July 25, 2008

Chocolate Lab was diagnosed with hip dysplasia when nutuered at 4 months of age and all that was offered was a new puppy and or half of the purchase price if we were to opt for the six thousand dollar surgery.

The lab is lame and is not a normal functioning dog.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |