Puppy Mills
Ok, so I've been doing a lot of research on puppy mills lately, trying to determine if the puppy store down the street from where I work buys from mills - and if so, I'm planning on protesting the store. Not with signs or anything, just standing outside and handing people packets of information on the mills, so they can make more informed decisions. I don't want to do so without proof that these puppies are from mills, and to this end I've been doing a lot of specific research on the particular breeders this puppy store buys from.
Today I went in to take a few more names down, and decided to ask if the manager was there. He was, so I asked if I could ask a few questions.
My first question was, "Do you know the conditions of the kennels for these puppies?" (or something similar, sadly this was unplanned or I would have brought a tape recorder.) He pauses.
"Where do you work?" He asks. I replied by saying I did a lot of things but that I was currently doing temp work, like reception. "Are you planning on buying a puppy?" he asks. I replied I was not. He asked why, then, I was here. I said that I was taking down the names of the breeders, trying to determine if they were puppy mills. He nods, then says, "I saw you writing down the names. Every once in awhile I get in people like you, people who come in here with these condescending attitudes when they don't know anything about how I do business. I want you out of here."
I reply, "All I'm asking is if you know the conditions of the parents of these puppies." He takes a step closer, and says in a raised voice (not quite yelling but close), "The proof is in the pudding, if I get complaints about the puppies, if they're sick or something, I'll take care of it."
Me: "And if I told you that I've done research on these breeders?"
Him: "I don't care! You can get out of here NOW!"
At this point I left. Now, it was well within his rights to ask me to leave his store, but you'll notice that he side-stepped every question I asked. He either knows that he's buying from puppymills or is intentionally burying his head in the sand in order to maximize profits.
As soon as I get proof from local (Missouri) vets that some of these breeders are in fact puppy-mills, I'm calling the ACLU and getting permission to protest the store. AND I'm bringing the video camera, because you know, I didn't feel particularly safe with that manager in my face like that, and if he decides to get violent, I'd like evidence.
If you'd like to read more about the puppy-mills, check out www.prisonersofgreed.org.
Today I went in to take a few more names down, and decided to ask if the manager was there. He was, so I asked if I could ask a few questions.
My first question was, "Do you know the conditions of the kennels for these puppies?" (or something similar, sadly this was unplanned or I would have brought a tape recorder.) He pauses.
"Where do you work?" He asks. I replied by saying I did a lot of things but that I was currently doing temp work, like reception. "Are you planning on buying a puppy?" he asks. I replied I was not. He asked why, then, I was here. I said that I was taking down the names of the breeders, trying to determine if they were puppy mills. He nods, then says, "I saw you writing down the names. Every once in awhile I get in people like you, people who come in here with these condescending attitudes when they don't know anything about how I do business. I want you out of here."
I reply, "All I'm asking is if you know the conditions of the parents of these puppies." He takes a step closer, and says in a raised voice (not quite yelling but close), "The proof is in the pudding, if I get complaints about the puppies, if they're sick or something, I'll take care of it."
Me: "And if I told you that I've done research on these breeders?"
Him: "I don't care! You can get out of here NOW!"
At this point I left. Now, it was well within his rights to ask me to leave his store, but you'll notice that he side-stepped every question I asked. He either knows that he's buying from puppymills or is intentionally burying his head in the sand in order to maximize profits.
As soon as I get proof from local (Missouri) vets that some of these breeders are in fact puppy-mills, I'm calling the ACLU and getting permission to protest the store. AND I'm bringing the video camera, because you know, I didn't feel particularly safe with that manager in my face like that, and if he decides to get violent, I'd like evidence.
If you'd like to read more about the puppy-mills, check out www.prisonersofgreed.org.