The decision by Petland to phase out the sale of puppies and kittens is the right move according to customers and an animal rights advocate.
Actions Speak Louder Calgary, a puppy advocate group, was pleased to hear the news.
“It’s a great step forward,” said Jennifer Kaiser, co-founder of ASLC. “It will definitely help bring more attention to rescue pets and pet overpopulation.
“I definitely think they made the right decision.”
Despite Petland’s decision, which was announced Friday, Kaiser said the ASLC will continue to push for the city to pass a bylaw that would effectively ban these types of sales.
Petland customers spoken to Saturday also agreed with the company’s new policy.
“The puppies made me sad,” said Tosheena Thompson, an owner of two dogs. “I’m glad because they have to stay in the little glass cages all day.”
Allen Maskell added Petland will be able to find a new way to make up the revenue.
“I’m glad they are still going to have the adoption to give people the option if they want to find a dog,” he said. “It’ll probably lower the foot traffic coming in since I know a lot of people come in to see the puppies.”
A Petland spokesperson said a campaign against the sale of companion animals by the ASLC had “very little” to do with their decision, instead it was a business move.
“We like having our kennel and we are going to change with it and move forward,” said Robert Church, a spokesman for Petland “It’s a huge shift for us, but it’s a change.”
He added online sale websites like Kijiji cut into the business over the last three or four years, something they couldn’t compete with.
On Saturday Kijiji Calgary had 954 listings for puppies and dogs for sale.
Church said the company has gradually been phasing out the sale of puppies and kittens since March when they pulled the animals from a Winnipeg store. Since then, they have also stopped such sales at the Coventry store in Calgary, as well as in Red Deer and a second store in Winnipeg.
Church wouldn’t disclose what kind of timeline they are working under since they don’t want to leave their breeders with an overpopulation of puppies.
As well, Petland has about 70 jobs across the chain they will try to “assimilate” into other roles other than animal care.
The company will still offer to set up adoptions. Rescue groups may be offered the use of their kennels, though that is still being negotiated, according to Church.
CalgaryHerald.com
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