People magazine should not have endorsed a business that feeds one of America's big problems - abused, injured, sick and abandoned dogs begat from an irresponsible business like "Cuddly Puppies!!" An outrage!!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE allow an article about what happens to the animals bred by these "puppy mills"...I have been doing animal rescue for more then 25 years and I can tell you stories that would make you ill, about the animals by the 100s that get dumped in shelters or in the woods somewhere because of health or other problems..
Why would you glorify such a terrible business and what could the parents be thinking to allow this ???
Having four rescues of my own, I can sympathize with all who support rescue and the time and money they spend to get these poor little animals back on their feet. If there weren't such places as Cuddlypuppy then there would not be so many in the shelters who can't be saved. Please publish this article NOW!!
It is appalling to promote the factory production of dogs through puppy mills -- cuddly or not! Please show the other side of the story by publishing a story about the torturous life these dogs lead.
As a professional animal communicator, I work with many people who have puppy mill dogs who are very emotional wounded. this is a practice that must be stopped and not applauded by a national popular magazine.
This so called "business" is so totally disgusting. Dogs are living creatures that suffer daily at the greed of people who don't care at all what type of life they will have. Animals are not a commodity, we must stop treating them this way. People magazine should go and investigate where these dogs are coming from, you've never lived until you've seen dogs lined up in cramped cages, knee deep in feces. There's a story, that is the reality of buying a cute puppy!!!
For a magazine that is supposed to be up to date and current, how is it possible that People is unaware of the puppymill horror stories that we all see and hear every day? While young Timmy may be making money, at what cost? Where is the responsibility to the families who will inevitably face heartbreak? Where is Timmy's responsibility to the well-being of the animals? Are we to assume that People magazine is encouraging the quest for the almighty buck with no regard to the impact on the consumer? Don't even get me started on the impact to the dog.
Is it really possible that this story was printed with no concept of the fallout?Consider me an ex-purchaser of People magazine.
How about profiling a young entrepreneur who is assisting a rescue, humane society or other animal welfare group. This better represents someone on a more life-enhancing path than just making the all-mighty buck!
I'm sure young Timothy and his mom have not thought this through, but just think of how many innocent puppies can be sold to people who will love them for a day and then discard them. Puppy mills must be stopped!
My Dalmatian is a 'puppy mill' boy and besides being hypo-thyroid (takes 4 synthroid pills daily), also has Lymphoma and is on 3 tablets of prednizone daily. He's a wonderful pet and shouldn't have to deal with these illnesses because of reckless, thoughtless human behavior.
Those of us in rescue know how many unwanted dogs there are now and how many innocent lives will be lost due to actions such as these. Puppy mills such as this do nothing but perpetuate grief and unhealthy dogs. Rescue one until there are none!!
Stop Puppy Mills Now. I am sure that there are plenty of other young entrepreneurs that People Magazine could have focused on to set a positive example. What were they thinking?
Truly revolting. There is nothing 'entrepreneurial' about this. It is truly in the poorest of taste. Shame on People magazine and especially his mother. Someone teach this kid to sell lemonade or something more ethical for Pete's Sake!
Disgusting!
A 'Blood Money' Job should not be rewarded. Innocent companions are killed by the thousands across this country daily. Proves there is an over population and breeding for bucks is a disgusting way to make a profit.
People Magazine needs to investigate the mass killings of pets and put that in their magazine. Educate the public.
This is truly terrible! Just send little Timmy some money and he'll give you a pup! And he doesn't care nor even want to know what you do with the dog! Doesn't matter to him as long as he makes a buck! This teenage "entreprenueur" could be sentencing any one of these pups to a life of abuse, but no one seems to care.
As a promoter of puppymills, which by definition are examples of animal crulty, I will no longer be able to be a subscriber to your magazine.I only hope you rectify this situation by doing an article on one of the thousands of people who work tirelessly to stop this evil trade and explotation of animals.
Your recent article about the budding young puppy entrepreneur was very inappropriate. No one needs more dogs to live in the horror of a puppy mill...and that is where these dogs come from. Perhaps a nice photo story showing this young man visiting a puppy mill..would be a wonerful learning experience on the reality of where the dogs come from.
I urge you to do a follow up story on puppymills and rescue organizations. I am a volunteer with a Golden Retriever rescue and we average a dog a day that is saved and given a loving " forever " home. Animals are euthanized by the thousands each day in this country....promoting the sale of more puppy mill dogs is a great disservice and insult to dogs and rescue organizations everywhere.
I thought better of People Magazine.
Chris
Many people are unaware of how devestating puppy mills are to the animals and those that end up "rescuing" the dogs after the original purchasing owner realizes that they got more than they can handle. I have two rescued Border Collies - both from backyard breeders (borderline puppy mills). Please don't promote this young person as an entreprenuer - please have him visit a resuce group to learn more about where these poor pups will more than likely end up!
This guy is a JERK.....he has NO idea of what he's doing...selling dogs as if they're jewelry on Ebay ! Before an article is printed......DO research !!
PLEASE allow those of us that save these precious animals from the puppy mills to have a chance to educate people of the horrible conditions these animals endure, and the health risks involved in adopting one of them...
This is disgusting. I rescued a Chihuahua just last year who was previously owned by someone who bred her for puppies then dumped her when she became useless to them. I'll never buy another issue of People magazine!
What a shame that such an article should have been printed. I guess money is what is important to many youth, not responsible breeding and caring for, or finding homes for those dogs in rescues and shelters accross the country. My daughter may not be rich, but she is caring enough to aid in adoption before helping grow a bank account
I urge them to come volenteer in a animal shelter as I do and see all the unwanted puppies that are already out there.It breaks my heart.Spay/Neuter and Adopt...
SHAME on you! I will not be buying your magazine again! You need to educate yourself. Why don't you start by writing an article about puppy mills and rescues.
Please help promote rescue and not puppy mills! Too many dogs are being bred by "backyard breeders" and being sold for profit - your article was a perfect example of how so many dogs end up in shelters everyday and how thousands upon thousands are euthanized every year.
Jusr what the world needs encouragement of puppy mills, NOT! There are plenty of kids out there doing great things why focus on one that is in a questionable area.
I'm appalled that People Magazine promotes the indiscriminate sale of lives to anyone with the money to spend. That is the reason there are thousands of pets in rescue...people that purchase without commiting to the years involved in a pet/guardian relationship!
The young man featured on "Teen Titans", who owns cuddlypuppy.com was an irresponsible choice to feature. Every day, the shelters and rescues in this county struggle to clean up the mess made by people like Timothy Hampson.
This is deplorable! Shame on People Magazine for even considering this would be acceptable!
You have lowered your reputation tremendously and I'll no longer be subscribing!
I just my magazine today and was absolutely appalled at People glorifying this kid selling puppies over the internet! I was planning on writing a letter to the editor later this evening! Thanks to the great folks who started this petition!
Puppy mills are horrible. These poor animals suffer in small cages and do not recieve the proper care they deserve. The people who run these are in it for the money only. They dont care about the animal. This article will only encourage more people to "get rich" by starting a puppy. Spay and Neuter your animal to prevent this from occuring. Thousands of animals are put to death every year because of human greed and stupidity. Adopt a great animal from a humane society.
This is a disgusting example of teaching young people how to make money off the backs of innocent animals. Shame on People Magazine and shame on this family!
Please do a complete feature next time you encourage such practice - Go to the puppy mills and contact the supposed happy new owners who are carry for these poor dogs if they have the resources.
