Linda Baxter <baxterlindam@gmail.com>
8 January 2021
To: joe.watson@petlandinc.com, scott.brenner@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
Mr. Watson & Mr. Brenner (members of TSCG) -
Although not surprised, I am disappointed to have not heard directly from anyone at Petland or TSCG as a result of my last email.
Our petition now has over 10,000 signatures of those that say "No!" to Petland in Memphis and it is clear that our community does not welcome the opening of your store in our area.
What does that say about ONE company when that many people lift their voice?
I encourage you to go read ALL the comments of our petition at https://www.change.org/NO2PETLAND but I've provided a few below to make it easier.
The signatures are not from people with a lack of education or understanding of where Petland gets their puppies from...
- they are voices that recognize our community does not need this burden, that we need no other animals brought in.
- They are voices that have personal, sometimes tragic, experience with the animals your company provides.
- They are voices that have clearly said they do not want Petland here and some of them go so far as to refuse to shop at any other shops in the area if Petland is there.
- They are voices that understand what USDA approved breeders can look like (it doesn't take more than a Google search to see some of the tragic environments these animals live in).
- They are voices that have seen the multitude of other petitions and locations that have fought to keep you out of their area.
- They are voices that understand there are over 150+ better business bureau complaints against Petland.
- They are voices that have experienced or seen the videos and images of your sick puppies, kittens and rabbits.
Once again - I encourage you to reconsider your intent to open a location in Memphis. I encourage you to reconsider your business plan at all.
Please stop selling dogs/kittens that are intentionally bred to be sold in a retail store. When you buy their animals you are only contributing to more being bred, taking away a home another pet already in existence could go to. And if calling them "puppy mills" is what bothers you, then clearly you're not seeing the issue.
I learned something today about "USDA inspected breeders" (which is who Petland is happy to say is they get their puppies from) - USDA inspected breeders have been the target of the most recent major puppy mill raids and that most states have only 1 or 2 inspectors to cover the entire state!!! Further, in a 2020 report by the HSUS, they identified at least 53 puppy mills that are licensed by the USDA to sell to pet stores and 1/3 of those puppy mills have a connection to the American Kennel Club. So if the phrase "puppy mill" bothers you, then maybe remove the words and just look at the facts. BREEDERS are not always quality suppliers of your "inventory".
As a true measure of caring about animals versus the profit you make off of them.... try getting involved in rescue/re-homing efforts that are so desperately needed across this entire nation.
- Stop paying breeders to make more puppies/kittens. The animals you're buying to overcharge and pressure sell to customers are no better (and sometimes worse) than pets found at shelters, with rescues, or rehoming groups.
- Stop telling interview candidates that you are "already working" with the local shelters and humane society - they have refuted that claim and have no interest.
Tomorrow several members of our community will be out to protest the opening of a Petland store in our neighborhood. In the midst of a pandemic, our community feels so strongly about your intent to move here, that we developed an approved Covid-19 plan so that we can be out in public to educate the rest of our community what your arrival will mean.
What does that say to you?
It says that Petland should close its doors - everywhere.
Determined in Memphis,
Linda M. Baxter
Memphis, TN
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AUTHOR NOTE: There are so many amazing, supportive comments - thank you all for leaving your opinions and experiences on this petition!