On November 20, 2008, The Humane Society of the United States revealed the results of an eight-month investigation into Petland Inc., the country's largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores. The results showed that many Petland stores across the country are supporting an abusive puppy mill industry, even while telling unsuspecting customers that the dogs only come from reputable breeders. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, Petland, Inc. currently has 140 stores in the United States and 63 in foreign markets.
According to Mary O’Connor-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs, “HSUS investigators visited 21 Petland stores and 35 breeders and brokers who sold puppies to Petland stores. They also reviewed interstate import records of an additional 322 breeders, USDA reports and more than 17,000 individual puppies linked to Petland stores. At many of these large-scale breeding operations, investigators saw appalling conditions: puppies living in filthy, barren cages reeking of urine, with inadequate care and socialization.”
In response to findings revealed during The HSUS’s recent investigation, and in support of Companion Animal Protection Society’s (CAPS) 2008 North American Protest against pet stores that sell puppy mill dogs, Columbus Top Dogs will be hosting a peaceful rally on Saturday, December 20, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM near the entrance to Petland stores located in Hilliard, OH and Lewis Center, OH.
The goal of this event is to raise awareness of Petland and its relationship to puppy mill breeders and to solicit support from the community asking that Petland stop selling puppies while Central Ohio homeless dogs and puppies wait to be adopted.
Columbus Top Dogs, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a group of independent pet consultants for Shure Pets, the premiere direct seller of pet products and accessories. Since 2005, the team has donated over $64,000 in financial and in-kind contributions to 33 animal shelters and rescue organizations located throughout Franklin, Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs.
As the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals, Companion Animal Protection Society's (CAPS) foremost concern is the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs. Founded in 1992, CAPS actively addresses this issue through investigations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations.
For More Information:
Mary O’Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs (Shure Pets)
Cell: 614-271-8248
www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment