Mr. Watson and Mr. Brenner (and all of TSCG)
It has come to the Memphis community's attention that a Petland location is being opened at The Commons of Wolfchase, Giacosa Pl and N. Germantown Parkway, Memphis, TN brokered by The Shopping Center Group (TSCG).
This emailed letter is to ask that you reconsider opening a retail store here for the intention of selling designer or pedigree dogs; although you have advertised for a General Manager for this location and likely already signed a lease with TSCG (given the hanging sign over the space).
In Memphis, we do not believe a pet is a product to be sold and we do not need any further animals brought to Shelby County or the surrounding areas.
If your staff - or TSCG - had done their due diligence, you would find that Memphis is NOT a community that needs a retailer like Petland. This area has an overwhelming volume of companion animals already available for adoption at our shelters and our reputable rescues are always at max capacity helping place pets. These shelters and rescues work unwaveringly with breed specific rescues all over and are more than capable of helping someone find the perfect companion - without a store like Petland.
Memphis is not a community that can afford any additional influx of animals - no matter what breed (especially those of questionable health or origins). What our community needs is a focused effort and support for the homeless pets we have already, not the selling of overpriced and sometimes ill/injured animals that Petland has historically provided to customers.
There are enough documented concerns from HSUS's investigation of Petland, private "buyer beware" statements, Facebook groups trying to avoid having your store in their community, Better Business Bureau complaints and general reviews online from customers (and staff) that will support my saying, "You are not welcome."
I would like to strongly encourage your company to work with the many local shelters and reputable rescue groups in this area rather than try to sell designer/AKC pets. I am happy to provide you locations and contact details if your staff is unable to determine the information.
We have a petition denying you a place in our city and we have gathered over 7500 signatures in just 48 hours indicating our lack of interest in you coming to our city. What does that say to you?
I realize that petitions and public outcry are probably not unfamiliar to you and that perhaps you will not change your mind about Memphis - but as someone that has an in-depth understanding and awareness of the population concerns and the culture of our community regarding companion pets... I am personally asking you to please reconsider your intent to burden Memphis.
Because that is what Petland will be to our city. A burden.
Petland will be just one more battle that distracts our community from doing what we can to find homes for the volume of pets we already have on the streets, in the shelters, being adopted in the North and in foster homes... and yes, some of them are even "designer dogs" with papers.
I don't expect a response to my letter but hope you will reconsider your company's business plan - or that TSCG will look more into the history of your business - because in Memphis we need help with pets already here instead of those being bred for profit and of questionable origins.
Linda M. Baxter
Memphis Resident (Shelby County)
--------------------
If you're in a writing (or copying) and emailing sort of mood - please join me in contacting Petland CEO Joe Watson and COO Scott Brenner* about how they are not welcome in Memphis! While you're at it - you might want to include the Memphis team at TSCG (The Shopping Center Group) that leased to Petland!
joe.watson@petlandinc.com, jwatson@petlandinc.com,
scott.brenner@petlandinc.com, sbrenner@petlandinc.com
cc: Ada.Askew@tscg.com, Brett.Purnell@tscg.com, Danny.Buring@tscg.com, Dawn.Teevan@tscg.com, Dustin.Jones@tscg.com, John.Reed@tscg.com, Robert.Sloan@tscg.com, Robin.Fecteau@tscg.com, Shawn.Massey@tscg.com, David.Birnbrey@tscg.com
Be sure to give a special shout out to Mr. Brenner, who used to own Jack’s Pets - a collective of 32 retail pet stores in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana - as well as owning the ecommerce site petsolutions.com - and who also gone on record as admiring Petland.
--------------------
If you need some help writing your own letter, check out this link:
https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/uni201/wp-content/uploads/sites/1712/2016/04/How-to-write-a-letter-of-protest.pdf