T
thomas712
Guest
STEPS to follow when you spot abuse in a ***** store
If you recently visited a ***** store and saw animals suffering or in deplorable conditions, you have a very important role to play. You can help a lot, so here are a few suggestions to assist you in a cruelty investigation:
Where to Start
Refuse to turn your back. Are there any animals in immediate danger? If you see animals being abused or neglected, ask to speak with the store’s manager, the district manager, and/or the regional companion animal coordinator (RCAC). Be sure to call *****’s customer hotline at 1-888-824-PALS and/or e-mail ***** at AnimalsFirst@*****.com and copy PETCOCruelty@peta.org. For after-hours complaints, please call ***** at 858-453-7845, extension 5858. Be persistent! The animal(s) depend on you.
Gather Evidence
Document everything. Take detailed notes of what you witnessed, being very specific and descriptive. Don’t be emotional, and don’t exaggerate. Your statement must start with a date and time and be a factual record of anything you saw of concern and any potential violations you witnessed. Include details of conversations with management and employees.
A picture is worth a thousand words. If possible, take photos of the conditions you witnessed. Videotaping by a member of the public in a public place is perfectly legal, even with a concealed camera, as long as you are not in a restricted area where the public is not allowed. Unless you know that the state you are in is a “one-party consent” state, for audio taping, it is wise to turn off the sound. To see where the law stands in your state, visit http://www.rcfp.org/taping/index.html.
If possible, get other witnesses and collect a statement from each of them right away to document their experience. The more witnesses, the stronger your case will be. And others may notice things that you don’t.
What to Look For
Conditions: Are the general area, cage, and bowl clean? Are the animals overcrowded? Is there proper food (not just empty husks for birds or hard, big food for a small animal, or food that isn’t natural to that species). Is there water, and if so, is it fresh and clean? What’s the temperature like?
Symptoms of Illness: Look for runny or glossy eyes, nasal discharge, lethargy, sneezing, labored breathing, dehydration (such as that seen in snakes not able to remove their shed), birds sitting on the bottom of the cage, dead fish floating in tanks, diarrhea, shivering, vomiting, circling, rocking, head-bobbing, self-mutilation (feather-plucking), and wheezing. Be on the alert for signs of starvation or overcrowding, such as cannibalism. (See our animal factsheets on PETCOSucks.com)
Sickroom: Where are the sick animals kept? The most egregious cases of neglect happen to unlucky animals thrown in the backroom of the store once they show severe symptoms or returned to the store because of illness.
Where the Law Stands
Laws are written so that anyone can understand them. Familiarize yourself with your local laws. The laws that may apply to small animals in pet stores are your state anti-cruelty laws and local health regulations, all available in the local library or county law office. To find your state’s anti-cruelty law, go to www.findlaw.com/11stategov.
Find out who in your city, county, or state investigates and enforces the anti-cruelty laws. Pet store complaints are usually handled by the local humane society, SPCA, or animal control. Keep in mind that many of the nonprofit animal agencies that would respond to your complaint may not have law-enforcement authority. If you think you have spotted violations of your state’s animal laws and your humane society or animal shelter humane investigators don’t have authority, you may need to call on the sheriff or police department. Have a copy of the anti-cruelty laws with you when you report your complaint to the proper authorities, as they probably will not!
Pursuing Your Case
File a formal complaint with the local animal welfare/protection agency (usually the Humane Society, SPCA or animal control) that has law-enforcement authority over pet stores in your town or county. Remember: Stick to the facts, and be calm and businesslike, not emotional. Provide your written statement along with pictures, if you have any, but keep copies of everything. Be sure to include the date, time, address, store number, and a list of whom you talked to with their responses.
Contact any of the following who you feel might be helpful:
The local health department. In some states and counties, health officials inspect pet shops; in other states, they inspect for dirty conditions that may pose a public health risk, such as psittacosis (from beaked birds) and salmonella (common in lizards and turtles).
The Better Business Bureau and/or your state’s attorney general may get involved if any store knowingly sells sick or injured animals.
ALWAYS take any sick animals or those who die after purchase to a veterinarian immediately, for treatment or a necropsy. Obtain records and veterinary statements detailing the findings, and demand that ***** give you a full refund as well as reimbursement for all medical costs. If ***** refuses to refund the cost, go to your local courthouse and file a small claims form (it’s very easy, and you do not need an attorney—see www.peopleslawyer.net/smallclaims/ for more information). At the hearing, present all your veterinary and related bills.
City Council or County Board of Commissioners. Send the members a letter describing your experience. Explain why this store is a problem for the community. Include copies of any photographs and investigation materials.
If no action is taken, you may wish to notify the local media. Call a sympathetic journalist whose name you have noticed when she or he wrote about local issues. Or write or fax a letter to various media outlets such as the local news station. Some stations will do investigative reports on neglectful businesses.
Write to ***** CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop selling animals now. Animals are not merchandise to be placed on a shelf like toys with flashy slogans and low prices, only to be purchased on a whim. Let him know that until ***** stops selling live animals, you won’t be caught dead in a ***** store. Write to:
Brian Devine, Chair & CEO
*****
9125 Rehco Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel.: 858-453-7845
Fax: 858-453-6585
E-Mail: briand@*****.com
Call PETA for Help
Visit our Web site PETCOcruelty.com to read other cases of neglect reported in ***** stores across the country. Send us a letter or an e-mail detailing exactly what you saw. Include pictures and other documents labeled with the date and description on back. Please include your contact information so we can reach you if we need your help with our campaign or lawsuit against *****. With your permission, we can post your comments on our Web site along with the numerous other hideous cases, so the public can get the real story behind ***** stores and the animals who are victims of the pet trade.
Contact us at:
PETA
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Tel.: 757-622-7382
Fax: 757-628-0796
E-Mail: PetcoCruelty@peta.org
Other Ways You Can Help
Boycott *****! Refuse to spend any money in ***** stores until they agree to stop selling animals.
Rescue animals from shelters and rescue agencies, rather than purchasing them from *****. Small animal rescue organizations are overflowing with unwanted animals that need loving, responsible homes. Most people don’t realize that small animals caught in the pet trade are facing the same overpopulation crisis as cats and dogs.
Educate others about the abuses that animals in ***** stores are forced to endure. Feel free to download any of our factsheets. Write a letter to the editor, distribute leaflets, organize a demonstration, etc.
Contact your state representative. Schedule a meeting to share the facts of your case, and ask him or her to propose pet store regulations.
If you recently visited a ***** store and saw animals suffering or in deplorable conditions, you have a very important role to play. You can help a lot, so here are a few suggestions to assist you in a cruelty investigation:
Where to Start
Refuse to turn your back. Are there any animals in immediate danger? If you see animals being abused or neglected, ask to speak with the store’s manager, the district manager, and/or the regional companion animal coordinator (RCAC). Be sure to call *****’s customer hotline at 1-888-824-PALS and/or e-mail ***** at AnimalsFirst@*****.com and copy PETCOCruelty@peta.org. For after-hours complaints, please call ***** at 858-453-7845, extension 5858. Be persistent! The animal(s) depend on you.
Gather Evidence
Document everything. Take detailed notes of what you witnessed, being very specific and descriptive. Don’t be emotional, and don’t exaggerate. Your statement must start with a date and time and be a factual record of anything you saw of concern and any potential violations you witnessed. Include details of conversations with management and employees.
A picture is worth a thousand words. If possible, take photos of the conditions you witnessed. Videotaping by a member of the public in a public place is perfectly legal, even with a concealed camera, as long as you are not in a restricted area where the public is not allowed. Unless you know that the state you are in is a “one-party consent” state, for audio taping, it is wise to turn off the sound. To see where the law stands in your state, visit http://www.rcfp.org/taping/index.html.
If possible, get other witnesses and collect a statement from each of them right away to document their experience. The more witnesses, the stronger your case will be. And others may notice things that you don’t.
What to Look For
Conditions: Are the general area, cage, and bowl clean? Are the animals overcrowded? Is there proper food (not just empty husks for birds or hard, big food for a small animal, or food that isn’t natural to that species). Is there water, and if so, is it fresh and clean? What’s the temperature like?
Symptoms of Illness: Look for runny or glossy eyes, nasal discharge, lethargy, sneezing, labored breathing, dehydration (such as that seen in snakes not able to remove their shed), birds sitting on the bottom of the cage, dead fish floating in tanks, diarrhea, shivering, vomiting, circling, rocking, head-bobbing, self-mutilation (feather-plucking), and wheezing. Be on the alert for signs of starvation or overcrowding, such as cannibalism. (See our animal factsheets on PETCOSucks.com)
Sickroom: Where are the sick animals kept? The most egregious cases of neglect happen to unlucky animals thrown in the backroom of the store once they show severe symptoms or returned to the store because of illness.
Where the Law Stands
Laws are written so that anyone can understand them. Familiarize yourself with your local laws. The laws that may apply to small animals in pet stores are your state anti-cruelty laws and local health regulations, all available in the local library or county law office. To find your state’s anti-cruelty law, go to www.findlaw.com/11stategov.
Find out who in your city, county, or state investigates and enforces the anti-cruelty laws. Pet store complaints are usually handled by the local humane society, SPCA, or animal control. Keep in mind that many of the nonprofit animal agencies that would respond to your complaint may not have law-enforcement authority. If you think you have spotted violations of your state’s animal laws and your humane society or animal shelter humane investigators don’t have authority, you may need to call on the sheriff or police department. Have a copy of the anti-cruelty laws with you when you report your complaint to the proper authorities, as they probably will not!
Pursuing Your Case
File a formal complaint with the local animal welfare/protection agency (usually the Humane Society, SPCA or animal control) that has law-enforcement authority over pet stores in your town or county. Remember: Stick to the facts, and be calm and businesslike, not emotional. Provide your written statement along with pictures, if you have any, but keep copies of everything. Be sure to include the date, time, address, store number, and a list of whom you talked to with their responses.
Contact any of the following who you feel might be helpful:
The local health department. In some states and counties, health officials inspect pet shops; in other states, they inspect for dirty conditions that may pose a public health risk, such as psittacosis (from beaked birds) and salmonella (common in lizards and turtles).
The Better Business Bureau and/or your state’s attorney general may get involved if any store knowingly sells sick or injured animals.
ALWAYS take any sick animals or those who die after purchase to a veterinarian immediately, for treatment or a necropsy. Obtain records and veterinary statements detailing the findings, and demand that ***** give you a full refund as well as reimbursement for all medical costs. If ***** refuses to refund the cost, go to your local courthouse and file a small claims form (it’s very easy, and you do not need an attorney—see www.peopleslawyer.net/smallclaims/ for more information). At the hearing, present all your veterinary and related bills.
City Council or County Board of Commissioners. Send the members a letter describing your experience. Explain why this store is a problem for the community. Include copies of any photographs and investigation materials.
If no action is taken, you may wish to notify the local media. Call a sympathetic journalist whose name you have noticed when she or he wrote about local issues. Or write or fax a letter to various media outlets such as the local news station. Some stations will do investigative reports on neglectful businesses.
Write to ***** CEO Brian Devine and tell him to stop selling animals now. Animals are not merchandise to be placed on a shelf like toys with flashy slogans and low prices, only to be purchased on a whim. Let him know that until ***** stops selling live animals, you won’t be caught dead in a ***** store. Write to:
Brian Devine, Chair & CEO
*****
9125 Rehco Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Tel.: 858-453-7845
Fax: 858-453-6585
E-Mail: briand@*****.com
Call PETA for Help
Visit our Web site PETCOcruelty.com to read other cases of neglect reported in ***** stores across the country. Send us a letter or an e-mail detailing exactly what you saw. Include pictures and other documents labeled with the date and description on back. Please include your contact information so we can reach you if we need your help with our campaign or lawsuit against *****. With your permission, we can post your comments on our Web site along with the numerous other hideous cases, so the public can get the real story behind ***** stores and the animals who are victims of the pet trade.
Contact us at:
PETA
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Tel.: 757-622-7382
Fax: 757-628-0796
E-Mail: PetcoCruelty@peta.org
Other Ways You Can Help
Boycott *****! Refuse to spend any money in ***** stores until they agree to stop selling animals.
Rescue animals from shelters and rescue agencies, rather than purchasing them from *****. Small animal rescue organizations are overflowing with unwanted animals that need loving, responsible homes. Most people don’t realize that small animals caught in the pet trade are facing the same overpopulation crisis as cats and dogs.
Educate others about the abuses that animals in ***** stores are forced to endure. Feel free to download any of our factsheets. Write a letter to the editor, distribute leaflets, organize a demonstration, etc.
Contact your state representative. Schedule a meeting to share the facts of your case, and ask him or her to propose pet store regulations.
