The hidden-camera investigation that ignited a public relations battle between Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio) and the Humane Society of the United States (Washington) hasn’t produced a meeting of the minds—but it might have opened the door to discussions. 

“We’ve talked to Petland about maybe sitting down and talking in more detail. I hope that will happen, but nothing has been set at this point,” said Stephanie Shain, an HSUS outreach director. Such a meeting likely would cover video footage from an eight-month HSUS investigation that reportedly followed 17,000 puppies from breeding facilities to 21 Petland stores scattered across the nation. 

Elizabeth Kunzelman, director of marketing and communications for Petland Inc., won’t rule out a meeting but thinks the organizations have different goals. “If they want to help work toward a solution to substandard breeding, that’s great, but we’re not interested in attacks,” she said.

In November, HSUS accused Petland of using puppy mills and misleading customers about their animal sources. Petland vehemently denied the allegations and fired back, charging that HSUS has a history of grandstanding—especially during the holiday season—to raise money. A war of words ensued, and the two groups spent the tail end of 2008 lobbing accusations back and forth.

“The bottom line is that the truth shall set us free,” Kunzelman said. “As we have stated repeatedly, Petland does not support substandard breeding facilities. We maintain a strict ‘do not buy’ list of operations that do not meet our standards.

This list is made available to all of our franchisees and we demand they comply to ensure high standards.”

Shain maintains that Petland employees continually misled customers during the investigation. “Every store we visited told us that their puppies came from great breeders, and if you showed a puppy buyer a place with 500 breeding dogs, they would not call that a ‘great breeder.’ They would call that a puppy mill,” Shain said.

Even if the organizations conduct a sit-down meeting, they’re not likely to find common ground when it comes to selling puppies.

“Our belief is that every puppy should come from a pet, and I think the majority of Americans certainly agree,” Shain said, adding that whether it’s a family pet or a breeding dog, it has the right to a humane life.

She said Petland was the focus of this investigation because it’s the largest puppy-selling retail chain and because its name regularly comes up in complaints received by the HSUS.

Kunzelman said Petland believes everyone has the right to own a companion animal and that the company consistently examines its animal-welfare practices, implementing positive change whenever possible. “We are the industry leader in pet selection and ensuring happy, healthy, well-socialized pets, regardless of baseless accusations from HSUS,” she said.

Petland also is fighting unrelated legal battles with former franchise owners who claim their stores had no chance of succeeding. Three suits have been filed; one seeks $20 million and class-action status on behalf of all franchisees since November 1993.

“The allegation that any Petland store is ‘doomed from the start’ borders on the absurd given the track record of success achieved by so many of our franchisees—even in these difficult economic times,” Kunzelman said. “We are confident in our position and will vigorously defend our case and the good name of Petland.”

—By Michelle Peterson [February 2009 PET AGE]