Cornwall Square GVEAH Pet Shop Owner Speaks After Protest JAN 24, 2016

CFN spoke with “Gary”,  the owner of the GVEAH Pet Store in Cornwall Ontario that is under fire for its sale of kittens, puppies, and other live animals.

Unlike other stores that sell animals from the OSPCA, his store will take in litters of stray kittens, some away from their mothers early.

The warm and garrulous owner of Armenian descent also owns the leather goods shop across the way from his pet store.   He alleged that he invested money redesigning the pet store when he purchased it, and had actually reached out to the OSPCA locally about having cats from them, but that they didn’t respond after an initial exchange where he asked for their assistance in designing his pet section.

He stated that people who wanted to give litters to the OSPCA would be forced to pay and that he was simply trying to help while giving examples of incidents in which he paid veterinarians for assistance.    He also denied buying any puppies from “puppy mills”.

He also alluded that his store was being targeted by a small group with a clear agenda, and that he had broken no laws.   He said he’d be happy to sell animals that came from Shelters or rescues if they were available.

Saturday a protest had been called for 10AM in frigid temperatures.   It ended up starting late with about a dozen or so people showing up which was far less than had said they would be showing up on the social media protest page.

Brad Dewar from the OSPCA sent in the following statement, but did not answer any further questions.

The Ontario SPCA has received a number of reports and we are following up accordingly. I can’t at this time speak to any details of our investigation. I will be able to provide an update at the appropriate time.

In Ontario there are no laws specific to the sale of pets in pet stores. Some municipalities have implemented bylaws including a ban on the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores within their municipality.

The Ontario SPCA always recommends adopting from your local shelter or rescue. There are thousands of animals in Ontario located in shelters and rescue groups that need a forever home.

Gary cited financial issues that he feels puts the price of pet ownership out of the ability of many, and that he was providing a service that clearly, by the amount of sales he’s had, is desired.

What do you think dear CFN viewers?  You can post your comment below.

11 Comments

  1. only one correction for this story, the ospca will not refuse any animal, they do not “force” you to pay a surrender fee if you cannot afford it and will still take in the “litter” of kittens, I was there one day when 4 people came in with litters of kittens in October of 2015, out of the 4 people, only one offered money to help with the care.

  2. All nice and fuzzy words from Gary.but he had no explanation of why pets bought at his store are in such bad shape. Or why the cages in the store are so dirty and disgusting.

  3. Author

    Hugger the day I first went into the store last week the cages were not dirty at all. I cannot comment on others. I have asked for evidence each and every time someone sent me a complaint. As I’m sure you know CFN sticks to the facts.

  4. As he won’t allow pictures or videos evidence is hard to gather. Every time I’ve been in the store the cages are dirty and disgusting. He can say no videos as not to scare the animals. But……

  5. Author

    Hugger, first I want to clarify that I’m not defending nor taking a position on this situation, but I can guarantee you if you pulled out a camera in Walmart or another major store and were noticed you’d be asked to leave or stop. You also have to remember that in any story there’s a lot of “he said” “she said”, but we only report what we can confirm unless it’s clearly stated as opinion.

  6. I agree. However, IMHO, he’s using the no cameras /videos as a way to avoid evidence being gathered. His is the only store in recent memory that has that sign so prominently displayed.

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    This has been going on for years all over the world when it comes to pet stores. Some of us have been fighting them for years! What have we learned?? The only way to shut down a pet store is not to give them any business whatsoever! Not hard is it?? But unfortunately the ignorant don’t understand what they are supporting. DO NOT SHOP! Adopt! Little too late if you ask me..

  8. I made an earlier post about the owners pigeons which I should clarify…

    While I think he had far too many pigeons for a coop in the city, all the birds were healthy, well taken care of, and the coop was first class… just too many birds, especially for neighbours being close by.

    BTW… around 1:00 p.m. I was in the pet store and the OSPCA was giving the place a good going over, but I’d have to say from first hand; what I saw looked good…
    – the rabbits were cute as bunnies
    – the fish tanks were A-1,
    – the reptiles A-1,
    – and all the birds A-1,

    The OSPCA guy and gal were in the way and I couldn’t see cats or dogs.

    And of course once the inspectors get involved they’ll crack down so hard that even pet owners in their own homes would fail… and that’s not including second hand smoke.

    Maybe we could go easier on the guy.

  9. Simon…..or perhaps with this being in the news lately he decided to do a cleanup. He, perhaps, realized with his store being in the news that more people and perhaps the OSPCA would be visiting to see what is what.

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  11. Well, I WON’T be shopping there!

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