I am the proud owner of 2 puppy mill puppies who were dumped into rescue because of the health problems they suffer due to the poor conditions in which they were bred. Puppy mills must be stopped. I would prefer to see an article on pet over-population, croawded animal shelters and the statistical data on dogs and cats who die because they are dumped when they are 'too hyper', 'too bog', or 'too needy'. Give me a break.
I agree that this should have been researched more carefully prior to print. Puppy Mills are not what breeding should be about. Breeding takes many years of research in which a 16 year old child is not capable of. I feel this is careless publishing and a support of puppy mills.
Why can't this guy make money selling something other than dogs? I'm sure there are other ways to make his money and to tell you the truth I could care less about him, and that he's learning good business skills and making money.
I don't have anything against the guy making money, so long as the dogs are humanely kept, fed and cared for when they are in his custody. I DO want to see an article in People about Breed Rescue, Shelters and the Pet Overpopulation Problem.
While I admire young entrepreneurs for taking the initiative to start businesses I also admire those young people for choosing an ethical business. There are far more “Teenage Entrepreneurs” who are selling their body and running hugely successful businesses in the Prostitution industry. I don’t see People Magazine supporting and endorsing these young business owners and you have to wonder why. Perhaps it is because prostitutes are viewed as society’s moral outcasts. Those who breed animals unethically are among those social outcasts.
Puppies should ONLY be bred by informed and educated people and sold by the same. For "uneducated in genetics and breeding" teenagers to become "entrepeneurs" by selling live animals, is nothing less than pimping animals for profit. These same "entrepeneurs" should have to got to shelters and WATCH the euthenization of the numerous unwanted pets, who end up there, many due to health or temperament problems due to poor breeding practices. PLEASE print a follow up to this article, explaining WHY such a practice is NOT acceptable. Anyone can sell drugs, but does that make it RIGHT? Same goes with live animals.
Dogs are not commodities that should be bought and sold like shoes. They are living beings that require love and affection. Finding the right home for them is very important. A magazine named People should know better.
I think this is disgusting. Nothing short of a puppymill and to think your magazine is promoting such an activity - makes me think twice about purchasing your magazine in the future.
More research should have been done! What is even sadder still is that a CHILD has no notion of what is right and wrong and cares only of the profits. Goes to show you how the children of today are more unfeeling and don't care! I say there wshould be emphasis in animal cruelty and treatment in school education! IT is a proven FACT that children that grow up in a house with animals that are "part of the family" grow up into better adults!
As the "owner" of dumped dogs, cats and kittens as well as titled purebreds, I ask you to consider this request. This boy may be making a fortune and learning how to run a business at an early age but glorifying his lack of ethics is wrong. It's because of him and people like him that I, along with many others end up with all the unwanted pets that people carelessly dump off.
I am a long time reader of People mag and I must say I am totally disgusted that you could even print an article like this! The horror that goes on in these BYBers and puppy mills would make anyone ill! And if it doesn't then they are not human! Until you retract this article or print an article that lets people know what goes on in these place or an article on the hard work that rescues do to protect and place these poor babies in loving homes, I will not be reading People mag any longer!!!!
I am truly ashamed that People Magazine would promote such a story. These puppies are bed by Puppy Mills under horrible conditions. Although this teenager may plead ignorance the publication should have more concern about the welfare of the animals.
I am extremely disappointed in People Magazine for publishing this type of article that could encourage other idiots that dogs are just so much merchandise. Do you know how many years and people it has taken to try to educate the general public to have a conscience? Thanks People Magazine!
What were you thinking? Do you have the courage to admit you made a huge mistake and show the reality of puppymills? Will you donate money or your time to a shelter or a rescue that takes care of the animals when they aren't "cuddly" anymore? Come on People Magazine, be accountable for your article and your mistake of printing it.
Shelley Fox
How dare this "Kid" try to make money off innocent puppies. Breeders spend hours and lots of $$ trying to breed an excellent healthy well rounded pet. This kid needs to get a real job. Shame on him and shame on you bring staring this behavior in your magazine. I'll think twice before I spend my money with you again.
This is outragous!!I'm a member of a rescue group and people like this should be subject to going to shelters and actually see what they create, then live in it. SHUT THIS DOWN!!!
People Magazine should have done their homework before lauding this type of "entrepreneur"! This child is nothing more than a broker selling puppies raised in puppymills. He, and his Mother, should be ashamed of promoting this type of "business", and I use the word loosely. This type of Internet site does nothing but enable puppymillers and feed the already overcrowded shelters with more castaway animals from impulse buyers! People Magazine needs to be responsible and show the OTHER side of this insidious business.
I was sick when I read the article. There are ways of creating a business and making moeny that is worthy of praise. THIS ONE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE People please do your homework.
I was sick when I read the article. There are ways of creating a business and making moeny that is worthy of praise. THIS ONE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE People please do your homework.
I think this is a disgusting story!!! why promote such thoughtless behaviour - the people involved in this puppy flogging scam should be condemned not celebrated!!!!marents have missed a huge chunk of
I find your article in bad taste and a lack of compassion. These so called "entrepreneurs" are what pimps and masters are o unfortunate people. One should really read these articles before praise is passed on.
It's unfortunate that this young man is supporting puppy mills, and that People Magazine has publicized his business as a good thing. Mr. Hampson may think he's working with reputable breeders, but reputable breeders do not sell their puppies to "middle men." Reputable breeders meet prospective buyers in person and build a relationship with their buyers. Mr. Hampson is probably making a lot of money, but at the expense of these animals' lives. Until there are none, ADOPT one!
People should really focus on the great work rescue groups are doing rather than people selling puppies for profit. If you want heart warming stories, just go to some of the breed rescue sites and read about what people have done to bring back animals that have been abused and starved. They are the real heros. Rescuing a dog may not change the world but it will change the world for that one dog!
As an extremely popular magazine read by millions you MUST be responsible in your printing of articles. I am a teacher of teenagers and we do not support cruelty and irresponsibility with our students. Nor should you.
If you want dogs withOUT behavioral problems and kids with a good and true understanding of what it means to be successful in this world- THIS HAS TO MATTER!!!
Puppies should be raised in a nurturing, loving enviroment by people who care about the puppies with a passion for the breed of which they come from. Puppies deserve to be brought into this world by breeders who health test the parents of the puppies. Puppies deserve better than Timothy Hampson! Thanks for publishing this in your magazine. Another puppymill operation to warn people to stay away from.
What a terribly cruel 'enterprise'.It's just encouraging puppy mills. I'm disgusted People magazine have shown this boy to be an example. Shame on his mum for helping, too.
Every few months the San Diego Union publishes a list of animals that are sitting in shelters waiting to be adopted.There are pages and pages and pages of them. It breaks your heart to think how many of them will be put down. People magazine should follow up and find out what happens to all these "puppy mills" puppies. People magazine should be encouraging the rescue of all these animals sitting in shelters, not someone contributing to the problem!Shame on People magazine.
Mass producing dogs for money is WRONG. These animals become family members and need healthy, socialization and care in their breedings. No "responsible" breeder makes money on their dogs. I also doubt that any puppy buyer who has a problem can send the puppy back to this teenager, or be able to ask him for help with problems.
When I think of all the animals in shelters right now that need homes and this little creep is making money by selling puppies when those families can rather go adopt a pet from a shelter, my blood boils and makes me wonder what this world is coming too.
Puppy brokering should not be applauded as entrepreneurship -- it's a rip off that ultimately savages not only the dogs but also the hearts of dog lovers who are its victims.
Please print a retraction to this irresponsible article, and dedicate space in your forthcoming issue to informing the public about the horrors of puppy mills and animal brokers whose sole motivation is money. People Magazine should have chosen to focus on the good people who have dedicated their lives to improving the breeds they love through responsible breeding practices, health testing, and advocating spaying and neutering, not those who out of ignorance and greed perpetuate disease, death, and heartbreak by producing puppies for profit.
Why not run a story about teenagers devoting their time to rescue shelters or the fight for responsible breeding rather then praising a kid for his exploitation of these animals. How does he make sure the homes he finds for these pets are fit? Are the breeders reputable? I amashamed at People magazine for writing this article and not doing its research!
I am sickened that People Magazine would support such cruelty. I am saddened by the heartlessness of this young man and his mother. It is people such as themselves that cause me to wonder about the future. How can there be so much greed and avarice in such a young person. Someday I can only hope that there will be laws against this type of behavior. In the meantime I think I will have to find other reading material than People. Shame Shame Shame on you People magazine for supporting this.
Shame on you, People Magazine, for promoting puppy mills! We already have enough pets in shelters that need homes. By promoting this teenager's "brokering" of young puppies for mills, you're contributing to the problem. It would be more beneficial to rescue animals if you'd publish an article about rescue operations and shelters with features on pets needing good homes. What a disgrace your magazine has become!
What have these dogs done to us, other than provide lifetime companionship and unconditional love. Why glorify a silly teenager for trying to make money, and promoting puppymills. It's absolutely disgusting to see a teen puppymill manager get glorified, when he should be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
As a concerned pet owner, I am asking that you allow an article to be placed in your magazine to demonstrate the need to educate people not to purchase dogs over the internet. What is needed is a site that teaches responsible pet ownership. Thank you.
Why doesnt People do an ENTIRE magazine devoted to the people that RESCUE animals???? Follow the life of a dog dumped in the shelter... which is where I'm sure alot of this kids dogs end up....
WHY DOES PEOPLE THINK THAT HE IS A "TEEN TITAN"? Because he is getting RICH off of the SUFFERING OF ANIMALS????
This is disgusting!! People Magazine - you should be ashamed of promoting such a terrible thing. Who did the research and authorized the article for printing?? They should be FIRED immediately.
This is a puppymill operation. If the young man wants to precite in the sport of dogs that would be great. There are far to many unwanted dogs and cats. Responsible breeders take responsibility for the life of the dogs they breed and sale.They take the time and money to address health issues as well, to try to elimate health problems, to better their breed. What is this young man doing to improve the life of these dogs?
