Winter 2001
IThe National Day of Action Against Petland on December 1 was a success! Activists and concerned citizens across the nation participated in protests and rallies that increased the pressure on Petland to stop selling animals bred in mills. From Florida to New York to St. Charles to Connecticut, participants reminded the public to adopt instead of buying companion animals during the selling frenzy that historically occurs during the holiday season.

Below are examples of some of the activities that occurred throughout the United States. Participants’ protests, demonstrations, and outreach educated countless people that for every animal sold at Petland who has suffered terrible conditions in a mill, another dies in a shelter.

Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Florida joined the campaign and targeted a pet store that had formerly been a part of the Petland chain. Activists in CT demonstrated at a pet store which had also been affiliated with the Petland chain.

In St. Charles, MO, over 25 activists displaying banners, homemade posters and IDA supplied posters covered two entrances at the shopping center where Petland operates. One supporter parked a motor home at the mall and provided restroom facilities and snacks to the demonstrators. The event was covered by 3 television stations that evening and one aired another report the following morning. Activists in the St. Louis area plan at least two more demonstrations prior to December 25th.

In Olathe, KS, protesters also enjoyed a great success and supportive feedback, including many thumbs up and waves from passersby as well as nonstop honking in response to "Honk if you Hate Puppymills" signs. Some drivers even pulled over to ask for information and promised not to shop at Petland. Organizers are currently planning more demonstrations for later in December.

In Huntington Station, NY, nearly 20 activists demonstrated outside a store which has been a longtime target in the area. Here too, traffic responded enthusiastically to signs reading, "Honk for the Animals."

Summer 2001
IDA was a sponsor of Boycott Petland Week, which was held June 22 - 30. We sponsored this event to increase pressure on the national pet store chain to sever ties with the commercial pet industry. This weeklong action is the latest in IDA's national campaign that will eventually eliminate puppy mills!

The campaign is gaining momentum by the day, with public support increasing due to IDA's ongoing demonstrations across the nation. IDA's Director of Investigations Marshall Smith and grassroots supporters organized protests this winter at pet stores in St. Louis and Kansas City, MO, even enduring subzero temperatures in their efforts to educate the public.

Recently, Marshall traveled to the Paws March in Harrisburg, PA. He addressed nearly 500 people at this event - the nation's largest rally against puppy mills to date. This demonstration garnered much media attention and public support for the campaign.

In May, Marshall and other activists coordinated four simultaneous demonstrations at Petland locations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, gaining enthusiastic local support, media attention, and educating hundreds of people. These actions, as well as other local demonstrations, greatly increased pressure on local Petlands to stop distributing puppies bred in mills.

And in early June, Marshall traveled to rural Missouri to check conditions at five puppy mills. Missouri's puppy mills provide Petland with thousands of puppies each year - in fact, the state supplies one third of the nation's puppies sold in pet stores.

The puppy mills Marshall visited were typical, each containing an average of 65 adult dogs and countless puppies. The majority of the dogs were kept in cages outside, exposed to weather extremes throughout the year. "I was struck with the stifling heat and incredibly strong ammonia vapors from urine," explained Marshall. "As a result of these conditions, many of the dogs exhibited respiratory problems and watery eyes. Many dogs had no food or water, and they lived in their own feces and urine since the mill owners had not cleaned their cages." Marshall also noticed cases of mange and cages that were much too small.

While IDA's efforts have been successful in involving the public and gaining media attention, much more must still be done to eliminate puppy mills such as the facilities that Marshall visited. More pressure must be applied to Petland and other pet stores that sell puppies, and Marshall is continuing his efforts to educate the public by organizing demonstrations, speaking at rallies, and continuing investigations. He states, "I believe even more people will join this campaign when they know the truth about puppy mills!"

For less recent campaign updates, click here.