Not sure if this is old news... my transport group recieved this:

The self-styled "upscale" puppy mill pet store, Woof & Co. -- which has opened two retail outlets in the Boston area and are planning to go national in 2005 -- is changing its name to Rufus Inc. and, in a brilliant PR move, positioning itself as a friend of companion animals! For those of you who are unfamiliar with this atrocity, this company calls its puppy sales area "The Adoption Center" and sells puppies from Missouri mills, brokered through the Hunte Corporation, for between $750 and $1800.

The link below will take you to a "story" about their new positioning. Amazingly, this "story" -- which is nothing more than a company press release -- appears in the newsletter of the American Animal Hospital Association, a nonprofit organization supposedly serving veterinarians.

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/...004-03-10.html

The AAHA has published numerous position papers on animal welfare, including neutering as early as possible to reduce the companion animal overpopulation problem. Please write to them ([email protected]) to complain about the free positive publicity given to this atrocious business venture by their newsletter editor, who is obviously unqualified at best and an idiot at worst!

We need massive action to stop this company from fulfilling its plan to open its pet stores all across the country next year. When puff pieces like this one are printed in the newsletters of veterinary organizations, it's a huge step backward for all of us.

Thank you.

Pamela Erbe
BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR PROTEST KAREN!!!