Mandy, (my response won’t post to your entry….so I am trying it this way)

I think you are on the right track. Just be prepared for a long fight and don’t give up. I don’t step foot in Petland. I have a hard time even going into Petsmart because of the things I have read about their treatment of small animals and birds they sell. And, I agree, all of their policies are a crock…

There was so much I didn’t know when I got Scrabble…so I can’t really fault people when they run into these situations. You fall in love with a little dog and who thinks for a moment that they are going to run into all of these problems? The net has become a great place for investigating and for learning the do’s and do not’s of almost anything you can think of, especially when it comes to purchasing an animal companion.

There are websites that you can post your story on and you may want to consider making a website of your own. You'd be amazed at how helpful it is to others just like you. It's a good way to help prevent others from making the same mistakes and it brings a little satisfaction to know you are doing a little something in order to get useful information out there. It is also cathartic to some degree.

The trick is not to let yourself give up.... (because sometimes you'll feel like your efforts are getting you nowhere)....these things take time. Petland won't like bad publicity and you may consider getting in contact with their corporate office. Call them, write to them, send them emails.

I can promise you that I will never shop one of their stores....and I hope others will follow. It is the only way to stop places like this.

Here are some interesting links:

http://animalliberationfront.com/Practical/Shop–ToDo/Activism/Petstore%20Cruelty%20-%20Take%20Action.htm

http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/petland/letter_062000.html (this link brings you to the letter below) You may want to contact Mr Smith and see if he has useful information to offer.

IDA’s Letter to Petland’s CEO

June 23, 2000

Greg Hudson, CEO
Petland Corporate Offices
250 Riverside Street
P.O. Box 1606
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

Dear Mr. Hudson,
I am a former Senior Investigator for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reaching almost 19 years of service before accepting a position with In Defense of Animals (IDA). For over 15 years now I have witnessed unbelievable suffering and misery in puppy mills while working for USDA as well as in my present position as Director of Investigations for IDA. I have worked under cover in Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota investigating the pet production and distribution industry. These mills supply puppies and kittens to Petland as well as other pet stores across the country and abroad.

While on the puppy mill trail I have established a link with the pet production and distribution industry to various Petland stores. I have documented frequent shipments by numerous Midwestern brokers to Petland stores across the country. As you must realize most brokers acquire puppies and kittens from USDA licensed breeders. I am confident that your customers would be shocked at the conditions in which these mill animals exist breeding litter after litter till they are “spent up”. These mill operators view the puppies and kittens, shipped for vast distances in every direction, as commodities. Any references to love for animals in their care are an affront to logic, considering the deplorable living conditions and inadequate heath care.

The literature on your web page indicates that “...Petland stores will work with local animal shelters to place homeless animals in desirable homes...” I randomly contacted Petland stores across the country looking for an animal to adopt. In every instance I was told that pets were sold and adoptions were not an option. An employee at the Cincinnati Ridge store didn't even know if there was a pound or shelter in the area. I resent the pretense that you work with shelters while millions of adoptable animals are euthanized yearly. While mountains of dead bodies leave shelters in communities in which your stores operate, others suffer senseless misery in mills cranking out litter after litter for Petland stores.

I urge you to work as vigorously finding desirable homes for forgotten and homeless animals as you have to establish ties to the puppy mill industry. Unless and until you sever ties with the mills and the commercial production and distribution network of dealers that support them, I will lead a relentless boycott of your stores. The evidence is in and groundwork completed for a well-orchestrated campaign to enlighten the consuming public. I challenge and admonish you to take the path of greatest compassion for the animals and service to the communities in which you operate. I assure you that communities support and embrace businesses that demonstrate social responsibility and accountability.

My call for a boycott of Petland is not intended to inflict financial harm to your company but simply a means of ending misery and suffering I have seen in mills firsthand. I am willing to meet with you or your representatives to discuss the issues and hopefully avert any adverse impact our boycott will likely cause. Thousands of animals will die in pounds, shelters, and mills each day that you delay in reaching a decision that I view as a “no brainer.” At this point I will assume that your love and respect for animals is as genuine as your dedication to customer service. Your business acumen is apparently well honed and I shall anxiously await your reply. I have every confidence that you will sever ties to an industry driven by greed rather than love for animals.

Sincerely,
Marshall G. Smith
Director of Investigations
(573) 636-9291

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