Conflict erupted today between the Petland chain of pet stores and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The animal welfare organization released a statement that they had been investigating the practices of Petland across the country and found them linked to large scale puppy mills with sub-standard care and animal cruelty.
In an e-mail sent to members the
HSUS stated, “Our national, eight-month investigation shows that Petland stores in multiple states are marketing dogs from cruel puppy mills to unsuspecting dog buyers. The investigation into Petland stores in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio and other states revealed that many of the puppies sold at these stores came from massive commercial breeders in Missouri and other states in the Midwest where hundreds of breeding dogs are packed into filthy, crowded cages.”
“Most of the puppies bred at puppy mills are eventually sold over the Internet or through pet stores, including many Petlands in the U.S. The unseen victims are the mother dogs who are forced to live their entire lives behind bars – without exercise, without socialization, without ever being part of a family or even seeing the outside of their cages.”
They further state they wanted to get this message to the public before the holiday puppy-buying season gets into “high gear.”
When Petland first heard this news they refused to comment on it, but later in the day they posted a rebuttal on their website, “Reports such as those posted on the HSUS Website surface every year around the holiday season in conjunction with their annual fund-raising efforts. Unfortunately, we were not interviewed or consulted, nor were we a part of any of the editing process.”
Elizabeth Kunzelman, Petland’s director of marketing and communications further said,
“We get our puppies from USDA licensed facilities and hobby breeders as well, but we’ve established humane guidelines that we’ve developed in conjunction with the USDA. We do not and we never supported any substandard breeding facilities, never. The number one priority for all of us is the healthy living for the puppies in our care. It always has been. It always will be.”
The USDA also released a statement about the charges and said that they had not received a complaint by the HSUS about any particular puppy mill or about Petland. Annually the USDA completes 16,000 inspections with breeders, animal labs and other animal related industries.
Who is telling the truth in this matter? Could this really be a publicity stunt by the HSUS in order to drive up donations? Or is Petland spinning the story to look like the innocent victim?
I personally received the e-mail from HSUS today and their report seems to have documented facts as well as first hand accounts from Petland employees. HSUS is even offering to send a copy of their report to anyone who requests one. I find it hard to believe that HSUS would put their reputation on the line for a publicity stunt. Please watch the video about the investigation and decide for yourself. If you feel the HSUS did a thorough investigation there is also a petition you can sign on their behalf.
I hope to hear your thoughts on the subject too.
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