The Petland campaign continues to grow with help from IDA's Web Site. Barbara Stagno is now serving as Program Director and Joyce Friedman assisting with outreach. I have spoken with the two extensively over the past couple of weeks regarding the campaign.

The progress and interest in IDA’s Petland boycott that was launched this past July is very encouraging. IDA’s Web site now includes an area dedicated to the Petland boycott and allows feedback. One volunteer has assisted with development of brochures, flyers and is currently working on a poster. Discussions are also underway and a provocative concept in mind for billboards that will be strategically placed.

IDA’s Petland boycott is a comprehensive assault on the commercial pet production and distribution industry. Although Petland is specifically targeted by our campaign, we are supporting demonstrations at any pet store that sells puppies and kittens. Our educational materials highlight the plight of breeding animals in the mills as well as the millions of dogs and cats that are euthanized in pounds and shelters annually.

Campaign Highlights to Date:

In August I was invited to the Boston area as a guest on “Animal Agenda”, a half-hour program hosted by Christine Dorchak. The program is scheduled to air in Massachusetts this month with varying dates and times depending on locale. The short program allowed me to highlight the dual aspects of the Petland boycott for Massachusetts viewers unfamiliar with the suffering and misery associated with mills. During the taping of the program Ms. Dorchak also asked about IDA’s “They are not our property” campaign that clearly compliments the educational components of the Petland boycott.

September's highlight for me was a meeting in New York City in which I accompanied a couple of activists determined to dissuade the owner of “La Chien” from her long running ties to the puppy mill industry. La Chien was an upscale pet store in the Dateline expose since subjected to weekly demonstrations near the business. We encouraged the La Chien entourage to sever ties to the commercial pet industry and instead work with a local pound, shelter or rescue group. The miserable plight of breeding animals in mills was emphasized adding that while profiteering continued millions of animals would be euthanized.

Demonstrators at the Boulder, CO Petland met with the owners of the store who explained that the buy their puppies from the Hunte Corporation headquartered in Missouri. Again, activists in Boulder must convince the pet store owners that while facilities might surpass industry standards breeding animals endure a miserable existence and significantly contribute to “pet” overpopulation. The operators of Petland stores must adhere to the verbiage on their Web page that touts working with local shelters to find homes for adoptable animals.

Animal Watch Illinois led a protest against the Petland located in Rockford on Sunday October 15, 2000 from noon until 2:00 outside CherryVale Mall. There was a large group of over 30 participants at the demonstration that was covered by a local television station. The organizers of the protest have been active in educating the public through leafleting and letters to the editor.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a complaint has been filed with the Attorney General by a couple who purchased a puppy that was subsequently diagnosed with severe health problems. The Chambersburg Petland, who frequently obtain puppies from The Hunte Corporation and Best Friends sold the puppy to the unsuspecting couple. Hunte and Best Friends hold Class "B" licenses through USDA allowing them to purchase puppies from other breeders, licensed or not.

December 4th marked the beginning of a 13 day walk across Missouri by Gary Abelov, a 49 year old professional dog trainer. I have spoken to Gary and provided material for him to hand out during his walk. Gary's walk was orchestrated to bring attention to puppy mills and pet store puppies. Gary had refused any corporate sponsorship and won't carry any signs or posters. Although Gary supports animal rights organizations his walk is as an individual outraged by puppy mills. I met Gary at the end of walks terminating in Kingdom City, Columbia and Independence, MO. In Independence we met with the owner of the Petland operating in Independence Center. A vehicle driven by Missouri Animal Watch founder, Shirley Sostman, was stopped by security officers who insisted that her benign metallic sign be removed. We was also told that we could not take posters or flyers into the mall although some were smuggled in for distribution. I wore a "Boycott Petland" tee shirt that was visible during a conversation with the Petland owner outside the pet store in the mall.

New organization forming in Ohio that has joined IDA's campaign against Petland. Members of the group have pledged to organize leafleting and demonstration as they complete necessary organization activity. They were one of the first to publish the poem over the holidays and paid the ad fees.

The Petland posters should be available in the very near future. Posters are presently available that are not Petland specific but appropriate for the campaign especially targeted pet stores that are not affiliated with Petland.

I have spoken to Sarasota IDA regarding cooperative advertisements necessary to advance the Petland campaign. A poem was widely distributed for publication in newspapers during the peak buying frenzy. The poem was published in New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Arizona and other unconfirmed locations.
A modified version of the poem (see below) will be circulated for year-round publication with the deletion of the seasonal text.

An ad packet is being forwarded to my attention by People Weekly Magazine regarding ad rates in the weekly publication. Ads can be done on a regional basis that might allow IDA to conserve financial resources by targeting regions with higher Petland concentration.

I now have Petland contacts grouped through AOL so I can send messages to the entire group. I wrote a seasonal poem that was the first item distributed to the Petland group via the Internet.

Millions of forgotten animals are sure to die,
Because too many people would rather buy.
Our pounds and shelters are filled to the brim
If not adopted soon the outcome is grim.
Despondent and lonely they patiently wait;
Each day that passes may be too late.

Our pet stores are filled with puppies and kittens
One look in their eyes and consumers are smitten.
Treated as crops they are shipped to and fro
From breeders to brokers to pet stores they go.
Their parents suffer untold misery and despair
Could it be because the public doesn't care?

Breeding animals suffer in small cages forever
Our "best friend" reduced to a business endeavor.
Living conditions never meeting basic needs,
Prisoners of an industry driven by greed.
Avoid the pet store and "impulse buy"
Adopt instead, so homeless animals won't die.