Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 04:10 AM

Twenty-seven Dogs Surrendered to Wisconsin Humane Society from Single Residence

The dogs arrived in a horse trailer, all coming from a single residence in Milwaukee. The dogs are mostly Rough-coated Collie mixes between the ages of 2-5 years.

The dogs have already received first vaccinations and an initial exam. WHS Veterinarians are now thoroughly examining each one of the dogs for illness and injuries. “Some of the dogs appear to have ear and eye infections and will need to receive more extensive medical tests,” reported Dr. Jane Pohlman, DVM.

Arriving loose in a horse trailer, the dogs had to be sedated for the journey. They were frightened upon arrival and may take a few days to adjust to their surroundings. None of them had ever worn a collar, walked on a leash or been treated by a veterinarian. After they have had time to settle and make friends, we hope that we will be able to begin to teach them how to be respectful companions to people.

read more>

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:08 AM

Truth about the Pet Trade
Different people in different regions, all with one goal – stopping stores from selling dogs

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

How much is that doggie in the window? Such an innocent question from a song of a long-gone era; however, today’s puppy mills are an industry that generates significant profits. They stay in business because of a market for the animals they sell. Take away the demand and there is no longer any need to supply “merchandise.”

That is the goal of many individuals nationwide, who take time out of their busy lives, because they feel the need to educate the public about the appalling origin of those cute little puppies featured in the store window. They brave freezing temperatures, glaring sun, gale winds, and driving rain; all in the effort to be a voice for the voiceless.

Pets Plus in Landsdale, Pennsylvania
In one of the states most well known for its proliferation of puppy mills, Jenny Stephens of North Penn Puppy Mill Watch is so passionate about the cause, she has attended every Saturday protest of Pets Plus since November 2006. Every week an e-mail reminder is sent to participants who gather in front of the Landsdale, Pennsylvania location for approximately three hours weekly to voice their disapproval of their puppy sales.

“We try to raise awareness about the plight of the breeder dogs kept in the mills and to educate consumers about the many wonderful dogs that are available by way of rescues and shelters,” noted Stephens. “We’re giving people the tools necessary to make a conscious decision as to what is and isn’t right.”

Despite her perfect record, Stephens has never actually been in the store, though she has been told that there is signage that states that the puppies for sale all come from licensed breeders. She is quick to point out that “licensed of course does not translate into reputable or ethical” and urges others to refrain from shopping at the store completely. “We don’t just tell people not to buy pets, we specifically say to not shop at stores that sell companion animals.” Instead, she believes that people should support businesses that do not sell puppies, even if that causes some inconvenience, such as paying a bit more or traveling a little further. “It in the end that is going to help reduce the suffering of these breeder dogs, then it’s worth it, because everything in life is compromise.”

The protests are peaceful and courteous and most onlookers support their efforts. They do not have bullhorns or chant, their signs are straightforward, and they do not partake in any intimidating or sensationalistic behavior. “All of us are professionals and we give up our free time to do it. So it’s not like we don’t have lives or don’t have jobs; this is how we choose to spend our free time,” commented Stephens.

She feels that a successful picket can be started with only four committed individuals and those new demonstrators do not need to invest a lot of time or money into a protest. Her group educates customers by distributing puppy mill literature already created from the Humane Society of the United States, PETA, and ASPCA. In addition, they have created their own puppy buyer’s guide that gives information on puppy mills, local shopping alternatives, and includes links to Petfinder and Pets 911. The other secret is to concentrate on one store, as occasional protests will not make any impact. “I think longevity is the key and I think that’s probably where some of the demos unfortunately fall short. They think they can do it once a week, or once a month, or once every other month. That’s not enough, it has to be a constant, in your face, message.” Her hope is that when people think of this store, they immediately associate it with their demonstrations.

While focused on the protests, participants also reach out to other animal advocacy groups. They push to strengthen the Pennsylvania Dog Law Regulations and members recently attended the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network (PLAN) press conference last month to support House Bill 1065, the state’s anti-tethering law. Stephens noted, “I think that by forming a group that is showing consistency and being able to have a cohesive relationship with other groups, where you are all working toward one goal, is paramount to success. The groups have to start working together.”

“If you’re not willing to do this for the dogs, how can you ever expect it to change?” questioned Stephens. “We all have our own personal talent in life and mine isn’t necessarily going out and taking dogs out of the mill, but I am absolutely dedicated to raising awareness about these puppy mills one way or another.”


Petland in Austin, Texas
Julia Hilder, of Spay Austin is a relative newcomer to pet store protesting. A Petland opened in Austin, Texas in late March and she and others from the area have been protesting weekly. She believes that there are many people who are unaware of the pet overpopulation problem, who believe it is okay to purchase pets, as opposed to adopting. “The goal is to go ahead and raise awareness of people who don’t know that we have a crisis on our hands,” Hilder stated. “I feel like this is too important to keep quiet and it gives us a really good reason to get out and talk about spay/neuter. It gives us the platform and the reason to be in front of the public.”

In February, shortly before Petland opened, the Austin City Council passed Ordinance # 20080228-057. The new legislation requires “pet traders” to pay a $50 animal processing fee for selling unaltered cats and dogs, microchip all cats and dogs when sold, and provide a document signed by a veterinarian licensed in Texas stating the health of the cat or dog. Hilder noted, “I was very pleased that they passed it, because I wasn’t sure that the City was going to be that interested in helping us out and giving us some backup on this subject. This gives us the support that we needed to really hold pet store’s feet to the fire and make them be accountable.” The protesters plan to be vigilant, making sure that the City upholds the new law and Petland is required to pay the dictated fees and file the required paperwork.

Still learning more with each demonstration, their approach is non-confrontational and respectful of traffic. Participants smile and wave at the thousands of cars that drive by on the nearby highway. Those vehicles that pull in to the shopping center are offered flyers which give background information on Petland, puppy mills, and offer alternate places to adopt and purchase pet supplies. The response has been heartwarming, with many commuters honking, waving, and displaying a thumbs-up gesture. Some interested people approach to learn more and a few, after discovering why the demonstration was taking place, even joined the protest themselves. Hilder further noted, “I think that we are getting through to some people who have never rescued or are not involved in the animal welfare community; who are showing up to our protests because they heard through Craigslist or they heard through the Yahoo group and the word is getting through to these people.”

Hilder has also been filming and photographing the demonstrations and plans to create a short video. She has interviewed people in key animal welfare roles who have chosen to oppose the new store and explain why taking part in the protests is so important. Once complete, the video will be posted online to further inform people about puppy mills.

“It’s not just that we’re protesting the opening of a pet store, it’s that we want people to know that there’s a lot more to this,” noted Hilder. “People need to know the crisis of pet overpopulation in Austin is there and it’s not going to go away unless we as a community solve it.”

read more>

Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 03:03 AM

Join in the next peaceful protest of Austin Petland:

Date: Saturday May 17, 24, 31
Time: 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM
Where: Southpark Meadows Petland store, 9900 IH 35 (the furthest southern end of Southpark Meadows, located off the service road of I-35 southbound, South of Slaughter Lane, between Chili's and the Cinemark movie theatre)

Shifts will be 12:00 noon – 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (you are welcome to stay for both shifts).

What YOU can do:

read more>

Monday, April 14, 2008 - 08:58 AM

written by former Petland employee, Jennifer Brown
reprinted from A Voice for Dogs

You hear a lot of gossip and rumors about some pet stores and some pay heed to them but others refuse to believe unless they've actually experienced a problem from that particular store. They wave off all concerns thinking that everything looks fine there to them so everything must be ok. Well for all you out there who doubt that Petland is a horrible place to buy pets or supplies from read on...

I went to work for Petland in Beaumont, Texas about 9 years ago because I loved animals and wanted the chance to work with them. That particular Petland location was closed down last I heard but Petland still operates in many, many states and even overseas. They displayed a plaque from the Better Business Bureau and everything looked so nice that I was very happy and excited when I was hired but during the course of working there about two years I learned what went on behind closed doors.

I've left out gossip and second hand information in this so everything in here are things that I saw with my own eyes. I cannot promise you that ALL Petland stores are this bad, or even this good, but I can tell you that ALL Petland stores should be boycotted because I've contacted the main office several times and the fact is that Petland, Inc. doesn't care two bits about the suffering I witnessed. As long as they get their money they'll continue to let any store abuse their animals. If Petland would care to contact me and work with me to put an end to these atrocities I'll be more than happy to help out in any way I can.

read more>

Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 04:52 AM

You may know purebred dogs are sold at auction. You may not know these dogs are bred as though they are livestock, a cash crop, except livestock are treated better than the dogs. Commercial dogs are sold through pet stores to homes who expect them to live long lives as companion pets. Instead, many commercially bred dogs turn out to be genetic nightmares. Puppy mills are commercial breeders, in business to make a profit. Many are USDA licensed. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills and the cottage industry.

The "cottage industry" breeds dogs for brokers. These are the “local breeders” Petland refers to when asked where they get their dogs. They whelp litters, then give them to USDA licensed breeders who consign them to auction or send them to pet stores including Petland. Names you will see on registration papers from "commercial breeders" owned by Hunte Corporation (one of Petland's primary suppliers and the largest puppy mill in the U.S.) are:
HONEY DEW/ I LOVE MY PUPPY/ DOBOTRI/BEST FRIENDS. They are ALL "commercial breeders" for THE HUNTE CORP or H & H Pets of Elkland, MO

You may also be surprised to learn that Petland has a history of “partnering” with local animal shelters through Petland's in-store 'Adopt a Pet' program. This gives just enough reputability to satisfy the animal welfare activists who don't see the big picture. Others, including the Spay Austin Coalition, remain outraged at the perpetual cycle of abuse, neglect, and infusion of intact animals into the community.

"Here's a national pet store that has a reputation for not doing what's right for the animals that threw out a bone and the Town Lake Animal Center bit,” said Julia Hilder, President of the Spay Austin Coalition. "We urge a complete boycott of Petland until they make a positive impact in the community by spaying and neutering the animals they sell. Until then, they will only add to the problem by selling animals to anyone with a credit card who thinks their new, expensive Petland animal should have puppies or kittens."

Now, after years of refusing requests from individuals and animal rescue groups offering to transport and showcase animals at PetsMart and PetCo, the Town Lake Animal Center has decided to partner with Petland.

The Spay Austin Coalition strongly opposes this partnership, believing it will not benefit animals in the long term. Petland and their puppy and kitten mill suppliers will continue to profit while intact animals, many with congenital defects, will flood into Austin.

Other cities have faced the same problem Austin faces now with the opening of a new Petland in their community.

read more>