Overview | Campaign Update


On July 5, 2000, IDA formally launched a national boycott of Petland, Inc., one of the country's largest pet store chains selling puppies and kittens. In 1998 an IDA employee documented numerous Midwestern dealers and brokers delivering puppies acquired from "puppy mill" breeders to Petland stores. Petland's CEO, Greg Hudson, was sent a courteous yet resolute letter insisting that they sever all ties to the large scale commercial pet production and distribution industry. After nearly one month of silence IDA learned that Petland officials planned a trip to the Midwest to scout out
some of their suppliers. Any subsequent announcements by Petland that they have dropped specific breeders should be viewed as inconsequential. The actions of Petland's officials clearly show that they value profits over the care and well-being of the unfortunate animals who are products of the puppy mill industry.

For over 15 years IDA's Marshall Smith watched puppy mills flourish with animals housed in unimaginable and heinous conditions. As an Investigator for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Marshall documented and submitted cases against puppy mill operators for
administrative hearings. In case after case, year after year, the USDA did not fulfill its responsibility to uphold the law. Policies have evolved that view puppy mills as an alternate agri-business. Enforcement initiatives clearly favor the vitality of licensees, rather than the well being of animals.

Please join us in our boycott against Petland and their puppy mill suppliers. Listed below are activities necessary to advance our campaign against the commercial pet production and distribution industry. The high demand for puppies and kittens will wane when "consumers" learn the truth about this cruel and heartless industry. Our campaign will also highlight the plight of millions of animals in animal shelters who are euthanized for lack of an adoptive family-another vile consequence of the puppy mill
industry.

 Join us in our fight
to end the cruelty
contact: In Defense of Animals
Director of Investigations
Phone: (415) 388-9641
e-mail: ida@idausa.org

Let’s keep the lives of these animals foremost in our minds and work hand-in-hand to end this suffering and misery.

What your organization/you can do »


  • Meet with the owner or manager of your local Petland/pet store owner/manager and explain your determination to educate consumers regarding puppy mills and how pet store purchases perpetuate mills. If there is not a Petland in your community, please "target" (focus on?)target any pet store that sells puppies and kittens. Admonish management at these establishments to offer adoptable animals from rescue groups and shelters rather than to continue supporting the "mill" industry.

  • Contact local rescue groups and shelters regarding the availability of adoptable animals. Find out how many are euthanized annually versus those who are adopted.

  • Identify and promote local and national pet supply stores that don’t sell puppies and kittens. Pet supply stores that don’t sell live animals at all would be preferable.

  • Send letters to the editor regarding the campaign, stressing the plight of puppy mill animals as well as the forgotten animals that who languish in pounds and animal shelters. (Enclosed is a sample letter)


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  • Organize volunteers to distribute educational brochures, carry display posters, etc., as close as possible to a Petland /pet store entrance. Coverage should be as consistent as possible, and should be most prominent during peak shopping hours, making sure to hit peak hours. Puppy and kitten sales historically drop during the summer months and pick back up when school starts; sales will intensify during the Christmas season. Contact IDA for free brochures, flyers and posters specifically created for this campaign or produce and use your own.

  • To maximize our combined efforts in this crucial campaign, display one of our banners on your organizations’ website, if you have one, including our "Boycott Petland" banner. (http://www.idausa.org/linktousf.html)

  • Please feel free to forward copies of local news coverage, (video or printed), that may be suitable for posting on our Web page.

  • Use the enclosed order form to give us information about your campaign efforts (which we will post on our website), and to order free brochures, flyers and posters specifically created for this campaign.


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The lives of millions of animals depend on us our making this campaign successful. I am confident that we can significantly impact the pet industry and their commercial suppliers. The images of mill animals permanently etched in my mind motivate my passion and determination to advance this campaign.

Please feel free to contact us at (415) 388-9641, or via e-mail at ida@idausa.org to get this campaign in full throttle.



In Defense of Animals is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. We welcome your feedback and appreciate your donations. Please join today! All donations to IDA are tax-deductible.