Charlotte Pet Store Shut Down After Death of 11 Puppies and Sale of Sick Dogs

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — A Charlotte pet store has been forced to shut its doors after a disturbing investigation uncovered that 11 puppies died under its care and sick animals were being sold to unsuspecting customers across the country.

State Investigation Leads to Store Closure

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services ordered the closure of Happy Puppy Universe following a formal investigation that revealed widespread mistreatment of animals. According to state records, the business was selling puppies with undisclosed medical conditions while advertising them online as healthy with polished professional photos.

Multiple complaints emerged on social media from customers who said they bought puppies that quickly fell ill, prompting state officials to act. The investigation confirmed that within just two months, at least 11 puppies died under the store’s watch.

Dozens of Dogs Transferred to Rescue Facility

Following the closure, 38 dogs were rescued from the store and relocated to Peanut’s Place Rescue. Founder Colleen Sowers said every single dog required immediate medical attention, contradicting the store’s claims that the animals were ready for sale.

“I have paperwork that says the dogs are ready for sale,” Sowers said. “Clearly, they weren’t. People from all over the country were paying $1,500 to $3,500 and they were sick.”

Sowers noted that each dog had to be placed on at least three different medications upon arrival. The rescue now faces a major challenge in rehabilitating the animals and preparing them for safe adoptions.

Puppies Came From Out-of-State Breeders

Documents indicate that the puppies were shipped to Charlotte from facilities in Missouri at just 8 weeks old, which is a very early and vulnerable stage for young dogs. Sowers described the volume of young puppies arriving as “overwhelming,” raising concerns about the breeder-to-retail pipeline that enabled this level of neglect.

Customers Paid Thousands, Received Sick Puppies

Victims of the pet store say they spent thousands of dollars for what they believed were healthy, well-bred puppies. Instead, they were met with high veterinary bills and emotional distress as many animals deteriorated shortly after purchase.

Efforts to reach the owners of Happy Puppy Universe for comment were unsuccessful, and the Department of Agriculture has not released additional details about potential penalties.

Want to weigh in on animal safety laws or share your experience with local breeders? Join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com and let your voice be heard.