I already have two dogs (a 2 yr old Staffordshire and 6 year old Toy Poodle) and one cat (2 yr old Mexican Shorthair.) All three were rescue animals. One from the Pasadena SPCA, LA Animal Services and the third was found as a runty flea infested kitten in downtown Los Angeles.
I've never considered purchasing a companion animal from a breeder or store because it is true that there are so many animals in shelters just waiting for a loving home.
However... Fate brought me into Russo's @ Fashion Island last week. I went inside just to take a peak and liked what I saw! Never have I been to a pet store where the animals were so playful and happy. If they weren't sleeping they were cuddling or running about there cages. I'm not a professional but they all seemed to be in great health!
Both of my rescue dogs had kennel cough when I took them home and several medical problems, just want to say that pups and kitties from upscale pet stores aren't the only ones that have these types of common problems. (In response to some earlier reviews)
Before I knew it I had fallen in love with a Miniature Schnauser, a little girl who my family has now named Nona. We love her so much and are very happy for the new addition to our family.
Sumi was our sales assistant and she was such a help in providing everything we needed for Nona's homecoming. Russo's was very honest and gave us a $300 discount since Nona had been there for almost two months waiting for a home. I was so surprised by this! (And happy of course) Before leaving the store they gave us a bag of freebies and had Nona bathed and groomed. They even carried all of my bags to my car so I could hold Nona on the way out.
Thank you Russo's! I have a full house now but will definitely stop in next time with Nona for a visit.

My husband and I just purchased a puppy from this store and took it to it's initial vet visit. The dog has kennel cough and parasites, and we have paid out several hundred dollars already in vet bills. We have only had the dog for four days!

This store is one of the happiest pet stores in the southern California area. The pets are always lively and active and appear healthy. The store and employees allow petting to be done in top-open enclosures that are designed for interaction even with younger children, and the employees are friendly, professional and always eager to assist and answer questions. It is one of my favorite pet stores in southern California, and I have no qualms with buying a pet from this store.

Over the past 17 years years we have welcomed into our home 2 cats and 2 dogs from Russo's. We have never gotten a sick or illtempered animal -- only the loves of our lives! I still come in whenever I can to get my puppy fix since my 2 dogs and 1 surviving cat from Russo's are getting a little too old to welcome a new family member. When the time comes, I will not hesitate to bring home my next "baby" from Russo's.

I work near this place and walk through on occasion. Today i noticed a dog there that they told me had been sold over a month ago and claimed it was 3 and a half months old (which they told me the last time i saw it) and that it had been sick and just got back from the vet.
I believe the dog was probably returned because it was sick and it is much older than 3 and half months old. Unfortunately for Russo's Wheaten's got through many colors as puppies and clearly give away the age. This dog is between 9 and 6 months old, not 3.5 months.
Please do not buy from this place!!!