Position Paper:
PETLAND and other Pet Shops

   POSITION:

• The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project strongly supports AB 298: Relating to the Sales of Dogs and Cats by Pet Stores and Providing a Penalty, which was introduced into the WI State Assembly on June 13, 2019. AB 298, quite simply, would prohibit Wisconsin pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Provision is also made in the bill for "showcasing, in the pet store, animals that are available for adoption" by shelters and rescues. (Read more about AB 298 here.)

• The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project will continue to encourage our members and the general public NOT to shop at PETLAND Stores or any other pet shop that sells live animals.

• We do not support the opening of new PETLAND or any other pet shop that sells live animals in Wisconsin.

• PETLAND and other pet stores sell puppies from mass breeding facilities. We do not support the mass breeding of puppies.

• Pet Stores sell other species to “anyone who walks into the store with the money.” We do not believe that this leads to a happy and healthy relationship between pets and people. Too many of these animals are purchased on a whim and when the fun wears off, these animals are abandoned to our shelters. Shelters end up “cleaning up the mess” and taking on the responsibility for the care of these animals while the pet peddlers and distributors cash in.

   ACTION:

• The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project will fully cooperate with any action directed at educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the industry behind the “cute puppies” in the glass cages at pet stores.

• We support current legislation to prohibit Wisconsin pet stores from selling dogs and cats, and to "showcase, in the pet store, animals that are available for adoption" by shelters and rescues. (Read more here.)

• We support the boycott of Petland Stores.

• We will continue our efforts to encourage people to ADOPT rather than buy pets at pet shops like PETLAND.

• We will devote time and resources to gaining community awareness of the pet milling industry.

• We will continue to tell the pubic that over 8 MILLION homeless pets put to death every year due to lack of homes. Until pet SELLERS take responsibility for the lives they create, sell and make a profit from, we will continue to ask people to support pet supply stores that are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

   RECOMMENDATIONS:

       We recommend that pet stores like PETLAND use available space to operate legitimate ADOPTION CENTERS for local shelters/resuces in their stores. By doing so, they can be heroes for pets and pet owners alike. Adoption Centers help to save lives rather than contributing to the cycle of homeless pets and the waste of life created by the pet seller trade.

More information about PETLAND:

• 5/28/2019: HSUS undercover investigation reveals more sick, dead puppies at Petland stores
• Where Do Petland Puppies REALLY Come From?
• Read the original 2008 HSUS Investigation Linking Petland to Puppy Mills
• Petland, Pet Store, and Puppy Mill Investigations (HSUS)
• Petland Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Peddling Unhealthy Puppy Mill Dogs in at Least 20 States
• Read Class Action Complaint here (pdf)

   PRINTER-FRIENDLY RESOURCES:

• Download a printable version of this poster (pdf)

• Download a printable "generic" version of this poster (pdf)

• Download a Printer-Friendly Version of our Position Paper (pdf)

• Download the WPMP informational / "Boycott Petland" Brochure (pdf)

• Contact Us to ask about ordering BOYCOTT PETLAND bumper stickers!