Debbie's Petland opens on Cape Cod

[tatsxxx11]

I am so upset. Thankfully, I had never before lived in an area that supported a "Petland" that dealt with the puppymill trade. Now, one is opening up next weekend at the Cape Cod Mall!! "Debbie's Petland!"

A bunch of us at the kennel, several trainers and breeders and the Cape Cod Kennel Club have all banned together to make their opening day a less than pleasant one!! We have been given permission to set up a table outside the store where we will distribute flyers and literature and politely ask people to stop and read, or take with them, material describing the horror of the puppymill. It contains info. on how to organize a protest of your own, emphasizing the importance of boycotting all petstores that sell puppymill pups.

Amazingly, so many people are not even aware that such places exist. And of course, these well meaning people feel so badly for the poor "puppy in the window." I hope that this will be a real eye opener for potential shoppers. I hope even more that they will boycott this and other Petlands to stop this cruel practice.

If you or anyone you know lives in an area that has a Petland of similar type store and you would like to help, you can click on to the site below. It has all the info. necessary to help anyone, from an organization to just one person, legally and courtesously protest an opening, distirubte educational literature and flyers to shoppers and generally spread the word. You can even print off copies of their flyers. And sadly, it graphically describes exactly what the fate of these puppies is if people turn a blind eye!

www.puppymillfighters.com

[mugsy]

We, unfortunately, have a Petland here in Fort Wayne....I hated the place even before I knew what their practices were...I'm sorry, but puppies under glass is a turn off!

I think I may look into the protesting and check to see what my rights are with the local constabulaires.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to nail these idiots.

[tatsxxx11]

If anyone can give them a run for their money, it's YOU Molly!!! Go girl!

[mugsy]

Who have you been talking to Sandra?? lol You know me too well for not having even met me!! hehehe

When it comes to dogs' welfare I can fight with the best of them. I always say I have my dad's quick Irish temper and my mom's slow German burn and it's a deadly combination.

[lizbud]

Sandra,

I'm very happy and proud to know you !!! You and
your group of dog advocates can make a difference.
As you said, sadly, there ARE a lot of people who don't
know where these puppies come from. Education is key
in getting these mills closed down. With all the available
dogs in this country, it is totally insane to keep breeding
and selling more.I am a puppmill fighter also & want to
wish your group in Mass. the best of luck in your efforts.
I believe when people know the real horror of mill life,
they will be turned off of the puppymill business and not
support any store that sells these products of such misery.

[tatsxxx11]

Amen to that Liz! I have a PawPal named Blackie from puppymillresuce.com. Reading about his horrific life before fostering broke my heart. His and all of the other puppymill furangles need us to plead their cause and be their voices. Thank you so much for your kind words and support Liz! And please make sure you give Bud a goodnight hug from me, Star and Cody!

And Molly, Daisy Mae is in my prayers; she'll be home soon...hang in there Mom!! (I think there's a bit of the Irish in these Scandanavian genes too!)

[Angels3]

Sandra, I'm proud to know you, too. Your actions outside that puppy chain-store will 'educate' many people who do not know what puppies in such places have had to endure.

We have pet-store 'chains' here, too. We also have different animal welfare laws in different states. But a recent new law here has given our animal welfare groups & individual citizens more 'teeth' is standing up against poor treatment of puppies & animals generally.

This law, not only covers blatant cruelty, but it also says that people have a 'duty of care' for the everyday welfare of their animals according to 'acceptable standards'. We've just referred to this law to report people to the authorities who were selling puppies at 5 weeks of age. We claim that it is not acceptable to separate puppies at 5 weeks of age from their mother...& that, therefore, the owners are failing in their 'duty of care'. The animals welfare authorities now have the right to go check those people out. And they did!

The law gives the animal welfare authorities more power over puppy-mills & petshops...because they no longer have to wait until there are extreme cases of cruelty. Now those places know that they have to meet 'acceptable standards' in every aspect. And animal advocacy groups are speaking out very clearly & publicly on what those 'acceptable standards' should be.

Best wishes with the wonderful work you're doing in facing down the pet-shop chain.
Marie

[Presley]

Hi guys,
We do have a petland here where i live. It is basically the only pet store i go to. I never go see the dogs or cats.. It breaks my heart and when i got Presley i went there to get her crate and toys.. The owner asked why i didn't go to him for a puppy and all i said was i wanted to know who my dog came from.. I wanted to see them with their mom.... I don't agree with puppy mills.. I am kinda ignorant that way i don't want to hear the bad and the sad... It is really depressing...

[wolflady]

{{{Sandra}}}
What a great way to bring this to the public's attention! Sadly, so many people are unaware of where these animals really come from and it's up to people like us to spread the word. I just cannot see why or how pet shops can live with themselves for supporting such a horrific thing as puppymills. It would be so much better if they would have adoptable 'pound puppies' available if anything, like Petsmart does with its cats out here. There is also a small store called the Pet Stop that has some of our Town Cats available for adoption. If stores must have dogs and cats, they should be in cooperation with local rescues. I can only imagine that it would help a great deal on the puppymill trade, too...if all stores started doing it that way...but alas...I know that won't happen.
Do let us know what kinds of reactions you get from the people on opening day! I'm rooting for you 100% You are such a gem
**hugs**

[yorkster]

Wow, I've never heard of Debbies Petland
.....and I don't know of anything like that around here. I'm sure there must be, but I have not seen it.
Either way what you are doing is great Sandra- you go girl! and let us know how things work out over the weekend.

[Rachel]

Originally posted by wolflady
It would be so much better if they would have adoptable 'pound puppies' available if anything, like Petsmart does with its cats out here.

That is my feeling exactly. Why can't they use their facility to be a showcase for all the wonderful animals that are available and in need of homes?

Sadly there is a Petland coming to my area too. We don't need another pet supply store as there are both a PetCo and PetsMart in the same vicinity. People are being very vocal about the association of Petland and Puppy Mills. We have a once a week feature in the local newspaper called *Sound Off* where people can call in their views and they are printed in the paper. The *Sound Off* section has been full of people voicing their objection to Petland, so word is getting out.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Sandra, I am proud of you and your fellow rescuers at the kennel, the trainers and the breeders getting together to let them know they are not welcome. I have never heard of Petland here in san Diego and I hope I never do and maybe we have just been lucky.
I will be rooting for you, give em he...............
Jackie

[tatsxxx11]

Thanks everbody for your great support and kind words! I've just finished assembling pamphlets and flyers for tomorrow! In the evening, there will be a candlelight vigil. Like many of you, we also have a PetsMart and Petco here. Both of those companies have wonderful Adoption Day events, featuring pets from many rescue groups and local shelters. Ironically, it is at Petco's that I participate in Dog Adoption Day events with Save-A-Dog and North East All Retriever Rescue! Right across the street!!! What was most heartbreaking was reading how at 4 months of age, when the puppy is no longer deemed saleable or desireable, these little shops of horror euthanize or sell them to viva section laboratories for "research." It might not come across here on PT, BUT I do have a rebelious side and a penchant for civil disobedience for the greater good....I would love to spring those babies out of there!!! If anyone of you would ever like info. on how to peacefully and legally protest such a petstore, obtain educational hand out info., etc. let me know! All day I will be thinking of all of you and will take strenght from the powerful love you all feel for these helpless creatues! Let you know how it goes!

[Rachel]

Oh, Sandra, I am so nervous. I know you will have plenty of supporters there with you, but there can also be people who are rather unpleasant, and I don't want anyone to say anything unkind to our Sandra.

What you are doing is a good thing and a brave thing. It is standing up for your convictions. Regardless of whether you can make a dent in Petland, you are opening peoples eyes to things they can't even imagine exist. Little by little it makes a difference. We are soooo proud of you.

p.s. Call if you need money for bail!

[tatsxxx11]

Rachel, I was just going to ask who to call in case I get thrown in jail! LOL! Actually, "these people" are accustomed to organized protests of their stores! I'm sure they are ready for us, unfortunately.