This is nothing more than a puppy mill. These people have no feelings or sense of responsibility whatsoever. The majority of these puppies will end up in shelters or in puppy mills themselves. This is inhumane. The "proud owner" is doing something that is just unconscionable and with the support or an irresponsible parent.
This MUST be stopped.... these are God's gifts to us to care for, love and respect. To sell them over the internet is bad enough, but for a Magazine as big as People to endorse a PUPPY MILL!! I will cancel my subscription and URGE EVERYONE I KNOW TO CANCEL THEIRS ALSO UNTIL A RETRACTION IS PRINTED!!!
How sad it is that you are promoting puppy mills in your magazine. Perhaps you would like to do a "follow-up" on the flip-side and interview people for an article on the horrors of puppy mills?
I've subscribed to People for several years and have never been as upset with an article as I was with this one. It is this kind of irresponsible, "in it for the money" kind of philosophy that is wrong with today's kids. Both Timothy and his mother should volunteer in the euthinization room at a shelter for about a week. I bet his "career" would change in a hurry.
PeopleMagazine should be ashamed publishing this kind of nonsense. The puppy miller is ignorant and has no interest in the dogs' welfare. Please publish an article with more informed opinions about this sort of salesmanship.
The media's done it again...please don't buy People magazine! Maybe that will get the message across that they need to be more responsible about their content.
There are enough unwanted puppies in this world without some child making a living ripping off ignorant pet owners by selling them overpriced, overbred mutts. No reputible, ethnical breeder would sell this kid a puppy, thus, there is no possible way any of his puppies are anything less than the lowest quality. Cute and loveable no doubt, but badly bred nonetheless. Shame on People Magazine for promoting something like this...sure it's impressive when I kid starts a successful business, but this is a disgrace to the ethical, honest breeders out there, and a disgrace to dogs in general.
People Magazine should be better informed than this - please take the opportunity to learn about puppy mills and do an article to educate others. I'm so sad that this slipped past your radar.
This is apalling.I volunteer for a rescue and this is the reason many of us do--puppymills. I can't even begin to think of someone happily assisting the puppymills for an after school project.Anything for a buck.How nice that people still think of animals as money making objects in stead of family members....
What a sad, sad example for our teens and children. Could you do a story on the reality of "puppy mill" dogs. How about a story on the rewards of helping a shelter animal...where a large percentage of these puppies will wind up anyway.
I AM A PROFESSIONAL BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR OF CAIRN TERRIERS AND FIND IT APPAULING THAT YOU WOULD RUN THIS ARTICLE. PLEASE SHOW THEM WHAT PUPPY MILLS ARE ALL ABOUT!
It is in my opinion that a 16 year old puupy broker is in this for $$ and should not b featured as an outstading entrepreneur. Its a puppy mill middleman, not a breeder who cares about the puppies.
Thank you Edie
Please devote at least as much space to the many folks in animal rescue-they selflessly volunteer many, many thousands of hours-and make no money! They just save lives. Now THERE is a human interest story!
It is time People Magazine educated itself and their readers on the cruel and inhumane puppy mills and the people that choose to participate in that industry.
I read your magazine every week I am very upset that you have allowed a article like this to be published. So upset I will seriously reconsdier buying your magazine again!!!
Marianne Claflin
Its disgusting that you can print such an article. By doing the article You are helping to fill up rescue centres even more than they already are. Those poor poor animals. I think you should now put an article in your mag about the dangers of puppy mills & how you *shouldnt* buy from one. Please put the record straight & tell it how it really is.
Sara J
This young man should get another hobby!I can"t believe a mother would allow this! Oh yea, I forgot, she's getting paid to.I will not buy "people" again, as long as they promote puppymills!1
I hope you will follow-up this example of dog breeder with a responsible article about puppy mills and rescue dogs. I buy and read your magazine every week, for now, so I'll be watching.....
The mother should have stopped this right away when he began breeding so many. Unfortunately, money talks. I am afraid this boy will be heartless in whatever business he does.
Creating unwanted life disgusts me. Many of this 'genius' money-makers will end up destroyed. Miniature pups best defense is BITING !!!! After furniture is destroyed and fingers and angles bitten... out they go. This 16 yr old is not an entrepreneur; he is a greedy kid.
Shame on People mag; this is just another backyard breeder/puppymiller looking for an easy buck...
Please inform people of how many animals are euthanized due to overpopulation! People need to be informed and encouraged to rescue dogs from local shelters, animal control, resuce organizations, etc.
Please write a story about the ongoing cruelty that occurs in puppymills!
Thank you!
How unfortuate your journalist didn't do more research!!! If careful investigation had been done, this article would probably not have been written. Never trust what you read in People Magazine!
This article is wrong is so many ways. I will never buy another People Magazine until a counter article is published. SHAME on People Magazine and shame on Timothy and his mother!!!!
Unfortunately, puppy mills are not yet illegal. I could understand that a teenager might be ignorant about the atrocities of puppy mills and not realize the pain and mistreatment that these animals endure. He needs to be educated regarding the impact that his business has on the lives of these animals. I am extremely disappointed that People Magazine would publish an article supporting a business of this type.
I support teenager entrepeneurs, but not in this form. A 16 year old does not fully understand what they are doing and the consequences of their actions pertaining to these dogs. They are promoting puppymills, which is a major problem in many different ways.
Obviously the bottom line is money, what are the consequences? Anyone can come up with new ways to make money. What counts is the impact it has on society/environment I suggest the mother and son duo volunteer at the local rescue or humane society for awhile and then see how great they feel about their entrepreneurial skills.
I was appalled when I saw this article in the most recent issue of People. Obviously someone at People did not do their research on this topic or they would have never praised this boy for making money from selling puppies. Shame on you People.
What do you think you are doing, dogs can not just go to any one who will pay for them Dog are just like us they need to be love and cared for, there ia an over population of dogs as it is, and this young boy is just adding to the problem. Maybe he should go and visit a puppy mill just to see what he is supporting, and how DARE he be reconized for such a horrible thing.
I beg of you to please run an article educating the public about puppymills and rescue dogs. You ran an article entitled "Teen Titans" which is only one side of the story. This teen and his family are only thinking of ways to make money but the public should know about these puppymills and rescue dogs. A lot of the dogs in shelters come from puppymills and have health problems. A lot of puppymills do not take care of their dogs as they should. They pump them out as if they were on an assembly line. Puppymills should be illegal. We need to think of the animals. God put us in charge of the animals to take care of them, not to use them for our greedy purposes. I would appreciate an article and if you could get back to me by email. Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter.
Not every story that features kids and pets is a happy one.
Please follow up to try to counteract the damage you've done. Maybe profile teenagers that don't make a profit off the pain and suffering of animals? How about a teen who is making no money, and instead of succumbing to greed helps adopt animals from shelters or breed rescues.
This heartless boy and his family are not role models.
I know People is a fluff magazine, but your readers deserve better than sugar-coating the bitter pill of puppymills.
As a subscriber to People magazine, I will cancel my subscription unless this story is retracted or a story about Puppy Mills is published. Hit People in the pocketbook, then they will listen!!!!
I can't believe that People magazine would praise a person who runs a puppy mill. Everyone involved - the 16 year old kid, his family, and People magazine - should be ashamed of themselves. How about praising a teen who is working to CLOSE puppy mills? That's actually worth commendation.
This like this is totally disgusting!!
As a rescue volunteer I see so many pets in dire need because of this kind of action!! This needs to be stopped!!!!
