Protest of Woof & Co

**Karen** · 03-19-2004, 02:04 PM

Great, thanks!

Paul's immediately commented that "following up" with the people is just another way to sell them more stuff.

Notice the articles do not quote any actual "animal activists?" Grrrrrrrr

**dukedogsmom** · 03-19-2004, 03:24 PM

I did a search and came up with this link. It tells the name/address/and phone number of the CEO of the company. Let's all send them some snail mail. That's more effective than phone calls.
http://www.inhumane.org/Alerts/Woof%20&%20Company.htm

**ramanth** · 03-19-2004, 03:33 PM

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!!!

**Karen** · 03-19-2004, 04:00 PM

Yes, we all got that story in the email from the protest organizers - hence my post talking about their desire to "follow up" with the puppies. As I replied to the protest organizers, even if I legally changed my name to Arnold Schwarzenegger, it wouldn't change the fact that I am neither male nor Austrian nor a millionaire governor. I'd still be who I am. No amount of marketing can change the facts. As long as they sell puppy mill pups, as long as they keep puppies in otherwise empty cages with no toys, blankets or any mental stimulation, the are still an awful place.

**lizbud** · 03-19-2004, 04:22 PM

As Karen said, the CEO of this company says he works with
"animal activists" in this business venture.

Woof & Co. to be Rufus Inc.
Several months after opening two stores in Boston, Mass., Woof & Co., a retail companion animal outlet, is redefining its image to encourage a holistic approach to pet sales and ownership.

Employees will counsel would-be owners about the demands of each breed and follow-through after purchases to ensure safe, healthy homes for puppies sold, said Don Jones, CEO. The new company – Rufus Inc. – will be announced to the public in May to “enhance the quality of lives of companion animals and the services that we offer,” said Jones. He is working with animal activists and veterinarians to ensure that the new stores will “enhance the communities where we live and work” by educating customers, establishing a welfare network for clients who cannot keep pets they buy and following up with pet owners at critical stages of a puppy’s life

No animal activist organization would ever be associated with
selling pups through a retail outlet.

I'd love to call him on
that statement.

**lbaker** · 03-19-2004, 06:04 PM

MAKE A STATEMENT ALL OF US. DO IT NOW. WE HAVE HAD POWER BEFORE, LET'S DO IT AGAIN. NO MORE OF THIS STOP THIS MADDNESS!!

**Cinder & Smoke** · 03-19-2004, 07:03 PM

The 2 open stores are >>

BRAINTREE
Woof & Company - Store # 101
South Shore Plaza
250 Granite St.
Room 2024 A
Braintree, MA 02184
Tel: 781-848-0178

SAUGUS
Woof & Company - Store # 102
Square One Mall
1201 Broadway Rt. 1 South
Saugus, MA 01906
Tel: 781-941-2291

THIS IS the Corporate Office for Woof & Co >>>

WOOF & COMPANY -
(Answers with "Woof & Co, Family Pet Centers"

55 CARTER DR.
DEISON, NJ. 08817
Tel: (732) 339-1232, ext 4200 = Don Jones

AND - the Corporate number I found on March 11 >>
Tel: (732) 339 4201 ~ Answered TODAY (3/19)
with "Rufus, Inc; Alan Brown".

I CALLED both the Corp Office AND the
South Shore Plaza Store (On March 11) ...

Store had

42 Pups "in stock"...
"Companion Size Dogs" = Goldens, Labs, a ROTTI (for $1400), Irish Setters...

I asked about a Shepherd...
"Too Big for us to stock; but we can 'special order' for you"

-
50% of $1100 down payment (sight UN-seen!)
(Takes two weeks.)

Store dogs "see a Vet" once a week...
Dogs do come from HUNTE Corp...
ALL AKC "registered" "companion dogs" (not intended for
show or breeding...
"We have a Rapid Turnover" - dogs only in store "a week or so"...

And they have a real (NOT) informative web site >>
http://www.woofandcompany.com/
No plans to have Puppy Info on the site -
"dogs don't stay in store long enough"...

Typical Puppy Store!

/s/ Phred

**Albea** · 03-21-2004, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by lizbud
Employees will counsel would-be owners about the demands of each breed and follow-through after purchases to ensure safe, healthy homes for puppies sold, said Don Jones, CEO.

I also read that, Liz. Who will take care to make sure that the puppies, and their parents, are healthy while they are at the puppymill?

This is making me more and more enraged every time the subject comes up.
The only solution is to attack the problem at the roots, to close all the puppymills. I've written to the Connecticut legislators many times. Perhaps if we do that for every congresman and senator from all the states, they might al least know how strongly we feel about it.

P.S.: I just sent an e-mail to AAHA protesting the publication of that press release.

**Karen** · 03-27-2004, 09:45 AM

Today's the protest folks! Anyone coming?

**lovemyshiba** · 03-27-2004, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke

Store had 42 Pups "in stock"...
"Companion Size Dogs" = Goldens, Labs, a ROTTI (for $1400), Irish Setters...

I paid $75 for my rottie, how stupid are people

I wish I could come.
This has also been discusses on the Shiba board I frequent, and I believe some people in the area are going.

**mugsy** · 03-27-2004, 10:35 AM

If I could I would Karen!! Give it to them from me too!!! Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

**mugsy** · 03-27-2004, 10:42 AM

WOW!!! I just got hung up on by the asst manager!!! lol Must have struck a nerve eh?

I asked why they furthered the growth of puppy mills by buying from the Hunte Corporation, the largest class B dealer in the country and she went off on a tirade about how they loved puppies and they loved and cared for them yada yada yada yada and then refused to listen to me and said thank you and hung up on me! Really professional behavior! NOT!