Ethical, caring breeders would never sell their puppies through this young man. He is promoting puppy mills and unethical breeding practices. Shameful!
Shame on the teenage boy who is running a puppy mill in his backyard. Even more shame on his mother (and parents) for allowing him to do this. Even bigger shame on People magazine for running this story. People magazine is supposed to have higher journalistic standards. I would expect an article like this from National Enquirer but not People.
I geuss People magazine is all about money too; just like those who run & support puppy mills. Please try & show the other side of the story. There are some of us who are trying to educate the public & you are undermining our efforts by publishing articles like this. If you have an ounce of compassion in you; please tell the other side of the story.
This is disgraceful. How dare you hold this boy up to be admired. where are your morals! Those poor puppies can't speak for themselves and are being sold to who knows who and to what conditions. I'm very disappointed in People magazine. Shame on you!
Irene Zucker
it's appalling. these
people should be volunteering at their nearest shelter not contributing to a nationwide problem,
pet overpopulation.
Hundreds of THOUSANDS die in shelters each year - what makes them think their puppies will fare any differently?? or don't they care?
I have seen no mention of this minor being licensed as a pet shop, dog broker and kennel operator from the USDA? I see no mention of him adhering to the the Animal Welfare Act which states a puppy is to stay with the mother until 8 weeks of age? Because of people like them everyone is wanting to change the laws to require minimal levels of care and socialization. I still say we microchip every puppy and then when they end up in rescue or shelters -- it be the breeder and dealers held to pay the PRICE!!! Only then will we see puppy millers put out of business if they are held accountable for every dog they help put into this world.
I think the magazine should talk to people that have bought puppies from this kid in the past to find out how many still have the dogs! I would like to know how many people still have them, if they are well taken care of, or if they have been dumped in a shelter or rescue or worse yet dead!
This is what has happened to our country. Parents don't care, and they show that to their offspring who in turn do horrible things like sell a dog just for the money. Obviously this mother has no heart for the animal only for her pockets. Puppy mills are terrible places and these people don't give a rats bottom about the welfare of these animals just so they can make a buck. Can we sell this kid to the highest bidder??? Put him thru what these helpless animals have to.
People like this should not be praised. There are so many breeders producing puppies, shelters are overwelmed. I personally will not support them, so all my dogs for years have been rescues and they are wonderful. Lets get the word out to more people.
You have done a great disservice to animals everywhere in your promotion of Timothy Hampson's irresponsible (and probably ignorant) venture into puppy milling. His mother should have more sense. Rather than help him with the site, she (and he) should be volunteering in their local animal shelter taking care of the end result of their enterprise. The stars who are the subject of your articles can defend themselves--these creatures can't.
I am sorry, but I have adopted a puppy from one of those so-called puppy mills and this poor baby is 3 years old and was tossed out onto the road to fend for herself and barely lived through it... I would hope that you will allow an article to be published on behalf of all of the animal lovers everywhere alerting people to the potential risk in purchasing dogs off websites that are getting their supplies of pets from puppy mills... My baby is the sweetest little thing you can imagine and she is only 3 and because of the puppy mill has a very bad back.....
Judy...
How long before this young man becomes either a backyard breeder or puppymiller himself because he is being taught it is ok to exploit animals--all for the love of the almighty dollar.
Please do not honour this type of business -- they are devastating to the animals that have the unfortunate circumstance of being born in puppy mills; they are starved, abused, neglected, and then many times dumped off at rescuse shelters (if lucky) or just turned loose to fair for themselves. Puppy mill puppies are bred with no regard for health or structural or temperament concerns --
I would request you include an article of the horrors of puppy mills and animal rescue orgs - to honour these unsung heros that are doing their best to ensure abandoned and abused animals have a chance at a happy life. It would be really wonderful to use your magazine to help educate the unsuspecting publid on the this blight on our society.
Your magazine is read by hundreds of thousands of people each week. You have the opportunity to educate them on the horrors that many dogs/puppies endure. PLEASE, print an article on puppy mills.
This makes me sick. I am the director of a rescue organization that cannot keep up with the demands and costs of strays and throw-aways; thus, many worthy dogs are losing their lives because they were an impulse buy when someone saw a website like "CuddlyPuppy.com or walked into a pet shop and saw that pretty little boxer in cage. Then that pretty, little boxer began to have health problems because it's humble beginnings were in a puppymill where it's mother and father continue to churn out more "cuddly puppys". And the mother and father are kept in small cages outside where they are so bored that they spend their days either spinning in a circle or jumping against their walls as they step in the urine and feces that collects because there nobody cares to clean out their cages. Or the cute little pup grows up alone because the family is busy with their work and play, so the "yard decoration" they purchased on impulse begins digging holes, barking all night, jumping fences and chasing kids on bikes, begging for someone to pay attention to him. Shame on this teenage "entrepreneur; shame on his mother, and shame, shame, shame on People magazine for giving their seal of approval to this "business". I would like to challenge you, People magazine, to do an article on our rescue organization in Arkansas and let me show you what an "entrepreneur" I turned out to be!
This is so sad that these people are selling teacup breeds which are usually not healthy for the sake of making money. Why not help save those dogs that need a home. Disgusting!
AS the director of a county animal control shelter, I can testify to the number of unwanted and subsequently euthanized animals in this country. Puppymill owners and other "entrepreneurs" who make a living from the suffering of animals need to NOT be supported by magazines such as yours without, at minimum, another article in the same publication containing the other and inhumane side of the story.
Unbelievable that a magazine such as yours would print such an article. Perhaps a follow up article should be done showing the life of puppmill dogs. Rescue people, are always left to clean up the disasters that follow these situations. Shame on "People Magazine"
I am astonished that People Magazine would honor a teen who is doing such an atrocious act with animals. This Puppy Mill site does nothing to exemplify a positive sense for anyone who does their homework. Shame on you for encouraging people to overbreed and create pups with a multitude of medical ordeals. As an owner of a Service Dog I am astonished...that such a well known magazine would consider this teens acts as worthy to honor....
I was so disturbed when I read this article in People magazine. What kind of child thinks that selling animals over the internet to whomever wants one is a good idea. Where is the compassion in this household? Maybe this child's parents should instead encourage him to use his love of animals in a good way, volunteering his time and money where it's needed.
I am appalled. Not only will I never subscribe to your mag, but I will make sure anyone I run across who does will realize that you choose to ignore the welfare of animals in order to sell your rag.
skipper
I very disappointed that People magazine is glorifying the puppy mill practices of this individual. E-Bay bans the selling of live animals over its auction site for good reason...it's totally irresponisible and animals suffer as a result.
Please consider that highlighting internet selling of pets promotes and helps the puppy mills in this country. Puppy mills are a major reason why so many animals are killed in animal shelters today due to massive pet overbreeding. Please consider running another story regarding the ugliness of puppy mills to help to undo the damage of rewarding this kind of entrepreneurship.
There are plenty of dogs/cats euthanized everyday because of overbreeding and inexperienced people looking to make a fast buck. Put the puppy mills out of business permanently and the numbers of animals in shelters will greatly decrease. Reputable breeders carefully screen their prospective buyers and don't advertise via email, newspapers or pet shops but through their parent breed clubs. Shame on you for featuring a "quick buck" story which involves the health and welfare of innocent animals
THOUSANDS of loving people are putting everything they have into getting rid of PUPPYMILLS, and here is a national publication, PEOPLE MAGAZINE, promoting the very thing being fought; PUPPYMILLS.
People like this young man USE poor defenseless animals to suffer just to make $$$. It's a copout way to earn a living and is done by non-caring, too-lazy-to-do-anything-c onstructive-people. Too bad that PEOPLE MAGAZINE is no better than they are, too lazy to investigate this occupation before promoting it.
You owe the public an APOLOGY!!!!!
This young man is just acting as a broker for puppy millers and his actions are despicable - aiding and abetting people who treat animals as "things" to be bred until they are too old to breed anymore and then discarded. Shameful!!!!!!
Dogs should not be bred AT ALL except very exceptional animals that can contribute to the breed. Look at all the millions and millions of dogs euthanized in shelters every week in this country. How dare People print an article like this? I'm appalled!
We do not need to have dogs being breed in puppy mills while thousands of cats and dogs are put down each year due to lack of homes. Puppy mills should be against the law. As a volunteer with an animal rescue group I see countless kitten and pregnant cats discarded because that person could not get their animal spayed. Sick and flea covered kittens left in the woods to die. People should do an article on the animals that only have 7 days to find a home or be put down.Hey People Mag take a visit to some of the pounds and shelters come see all the animals waiting for adoption.It will surely change your mind about your article.
This is disgusting. As if we need to promote this. Honestly, how many animals are without a loving home? Why over-populate more? Animals being sold for profit is horrible.
This is just a disgrace. I can't believe that you think this is a good thing. What can a 16 year old possibly know about breeding dogs. This just cries Puppy Mill
I work in an animal shelter that has to euthanize, kill, almost 8,000 animals each year. Many of these animals are purebred and come from puppy mills. It is a travesty that people continue to make money off the suffering and death of our companion animals.
Kim Staton
I will give you the benefit of the doubt that your firm was unaware of what exactly you have promoted as honorable business in your magazine. In all things are opportunities. You and your team of journalists have an chance now not only to clarify the true nature of this story to your readers, but to also educate the public on the ills of puppy mills.
Placing dogs over the internet is extremely dangerous for the dog. Puppy mills, dog fighting rings and irresponsible people can easily secure one of these dogs. I find this kind of entrepreneaurship to be outragous and based on "anthing for a dollar mentally."
Maybe this ambitious young man could re-direct his business to selling pet items and pet sitting service. We cannot encourage this appalling type of breeding.
While I applaude the young man for working hard to make a sccess of himself, I wish that he would realize that he is promoting a very sad situation for the sake of making money. Many of these poor animals are living in horrid conditions prior to Tim getting them. He, in turn is selling these hapless animals to anybody who has the dollars - which may or may NOT be suitable homes. In short he is perpetulating an ugly, disgraceful practice and the real losers are the puppies he sells.
This is scarey! Millers and "middlemen" that could care less about the lives they destroy are getting an early start! And the worst part is that someone is encouraging him!!!
I think the space in your magazine would be better used if it told the stories of all the wonderful teenagers that are actually doing something good for society, rather than being used to promote an unethical business.
If this were anything other than puppies he was selling, it would be admirable. Puppies are not products to be sold, without regard to the type of home they are going to.
To allow a child to benefit from animals suffering is beyond belief in my book. Someone better look at the parents who are not only allowing but helping a child in the business. Not to mention the people that get animals that are not healthy, these people should be sued to bring these animals back to health
Responsible pet ownership starts with researching where the pet came from: what kind of environment, breeders that actually care about the animal(s), lineage and proper care and nutrition while in the care of a person who is responsible for selling the animal. To say a 16 year old has the maturity and experience to solicit the right kind of information from whomever entrusts the pets in his care for sale is giving him much too much acknowledgement for having an entreprenurial spirit. There's a big difference between being an entrepreneur and what this young man and his family are doing. Call it pimping pups if you will, but it's certainly not worth the ink and paper of getting published. Shame on him and shame on you.
Disgusting and everyone involved should be ashamed. I am a proud owner of one of the Camp Collie dogs that was rescued 2 years ago at the Montana border and I have seen the ill effects of what this does to these poor harmless creatures.
Sheila
AS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER WHO HAD A POLICE DOG I FIND THIS PRACTICE BY THE YOUNG MAN TO BE SHAMEFUL...LOOKS TO ME LIKE PEOPLE MAGAZINE DIDNT DO THSIR HOMEWORK
I am stunned that a magazine of this calibur would promote such a horrible buissness as selling animals for profit. Do stories on the thousadns of rescu animals euthanised each day. do stories ont he people trying to educate the public on the reality of responsible pet ownership and teh consiquences of suporting the puppymill industry..
I was really, really disappointed in that you did a story on this. I work with Golden Retriever Rescue. How about doing a story about dog rescue? We have sent goldens to be search and rescue dogs and US Customs. Our volunteers would have spent many hours dealing with issues like this.
Thank you
A subscriber for over 10 years
Dawn Christenson
