I owned a puppymill dog. Although she was a wonderful companion she cost me thousands of dollars in vet's bills because of her many genetic problems. I will never buy another dog from a pet store or unknown breeder.
If you would like the true story of what happens to animals, do an article on animal euthanizing. That would open peoples eyes to what happen to many of these dogs raised in pupymills.
As a rescuer of dogs from puppy mills, this kid's behavior is disgusting. He's just a kid and doesn't know better, but the editor's of People Magazine sure should.
People Magazine should be writing articles about people that actually do something positive,not someone who is going to promote a
business that will end up hurting people and animals.What a disgrace!!
This is terrible. We have a hard enough time trying to stop puppy mills and this young man is just giving them another outlet, with no care or thought as to who is puchasing the puppy or if it is the right fit for the family. Responsilbe breeders work hard at placing their pups with the right people. Please retract your endorsement of this irresponsible young man's "occupation".
Puppymills and backyard breeders are a tremendous problem. I shudder to think of how many more people will be inspired to make an easy buck by your article. Go to www.petfinder.com to see how many discarded pets are out there needing homes already without irresponsible people adding to their numbers! Please counter the damage you've done by showing the ugly side of this type of business.
I have been a loyal reader for many years. This article will cause me not to purchase your magazine again. You need to feature an article about puppy mills and backyard breaders. These does have serious health problem and abuse. This is an irresponsible article that will glorifies the abuse of aminals.
It's appalling that puppy milling continues to exist and even more appalling that People Magazine would attempt to glamorize it by publishing that article.
As someone involved in animal rescue, everyday it feels as if I am trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. Please do not encourage people to breed animals for money as you did in your article regarding Cuddlypuppy.com. Why don't you use your magazine to educate the public about the horrible problem of pet overpopulation in this country.
Carol Ann Mielke
Tassie's Hope Animal Rescue
Dallas, TX
Breeders should have to be licensed and take some sort of test of dog knowledge and breeding knowledge. They should also have to be sujected to certain requirements.
Being a volunteer with Golden Retriever Rescue of IL for over 4 years, I have seen how animals are so "disposable", like the week's trash. So many of these dogs were "impulse" buys from a "petshop"! and of course a year later, they can't handle the dog, and want it gone!
I cannot believe that "People" Magazine would put an article in their publication publizing a "Internet" puppy mill.
I would like an article in your magazine to tell people about the other side of this issue, the public's hair will stand on end when they see "where" these puppies come from, and many of the "genetic" medical issues that these pups develop because of their Moms and Dad's being overbred.
I thank you for allowing me to have my say, and look forward to reading the article in your magazine telling everyone about "puppymills"!
Nancy Blankenhagen
Naperville, IL
This is ridiculous! These puppies are poor examples of their breeds, far more expensive than reputable breeders would charge, and just plain against everything the AKC and purebred dog owners stand for.
This young boy is profiting from the suffering of animals at the hands of the puppy mills. Puppy mills are horrible places and it is disgusting to think that this young man is supporting them. And what happens to these puppies when they are no longer "cuddly"? Please take a stand against puppy mills.
I fully support kids who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, but people need to be educated about what they are getting into. Millions of animals every day are uncarred for, euthanized, abused, lost, stolen, run over by cars, etc. Pure breeds and mixed breeds alike, with no discrimination. People should know where their family pet is coming from. Have this kid and his family tour the facilities they are purchasing from, then see how they feel about it. I can't wait to hear about some young entrepeneur starting a rescue, that would be the day!
I am quite frankly shocked by this! How could you not only condone this, but applaud it? It is obvious this is a puppy mill and it is horrific that you, a well thought of magazine support it...it is a sad day indeed.
Though I'm sure Mr. Hampson feels he's providing a service while making a buck or two, he's providing an extreme disservice to the puppies he sells by not screening homes to be sure they're appropriate for his little bundles of bucks. Please try to feature only responsible entrepreneurs from here forward.
Truly there are more humane, safer and less population-building ways to breed and sell dogs, and animals of all kinds. It would be a valuable lesson for this entrepreneur to shift his focus into some other venue or mode, rather than continue promoting something unhealthy and unfair.
this is really sad. I know first hand what it is like to buy a puppy from a breeder that is sick. It is a long headache and heart breaking to see the puppy suffer. People will do anything to make a buck.
I volunteer with a Rottweiler rescue and am fully aware of the number of dogs that come out of puppy mills and end up in shelters, animal control, etc.
Rescues, shelters, and education groups work so hard every day to get the word out about the irresponsible breeding of animals that leads to millions of adoptable pets being euthanized every year. Please help us with our message by publishing an article on puppy mills, irresponsible breeders, and all the rescue groups out there (including purebreed rescue!). Do not encourage these selfish breeders who only care about money, not the welfare of the lives they have helped bring into this world!
I'm so disappointed that People Magazine would even print such an irresposible piece when it's so obvious that this country has an enormous pet overpopulation problem. Your piece will only contribute to it, as well as promote this horrific type of animal trade.
I do hope you'll allow someone to include a piece about the horrors of puppymills and the plight of these poor, innocent animals. As a pillar of the media, it's your duty to promote RESPONSIBLE pet ownership and ETHICAL treatment of all living creatures.
Disgusting, shame on you People. There are too many unwanted dogs in shelters to promote this sort of thing. Selling an animal on the Internet magnifies the disgusting practices of puppy mill breeders.
I am appalled at the utter irresposibility of this article. It is a slap in the face of all dog volunteer workers that clean up the mess of these puppy mills. Shame on you People Magazine !
I'm very dissapointed that People Magazine would praise a teen for creating his own personal puppy mill. With so many good people giving freely of their own time and money to save all the unwanted dogs that millers create, that People would choose to honor one, no matter how young, is disgusting.
The disgrace in this article is that your editors and researchers etc. did not realize the immense harm that they are doing by allowing this young man's business to be a part of this article. These puppymill breeders are irresponsible and not looking out for the welfare and well-being of the dogs involved or the people they are being sold to. For the most part conditions in puppymills are dispicible - cramped, unclean cages; poor food; puppies taken away too soon from their mothers; mother dogs who aren't given the proper time to heal before becoming pregnant again. PLEASE either retract this article or do the proper research by visiting puppymills and seeing for yourself the conditions that exist.
It is disgusting to hold this exploiter up as an example to others.
I am not an animal rights activist but am a responsible pet owner and dog lover.
Bernie
People should be ashamed. You are encouraging this child to sell live animals without regard to the homes that they are going to or thier care or welfare. A good portion of the dogs that he sells could be used as training bait. I have immediately cancelled my subscription, as did my mom and sister. We will not be reading People or even flipping through at the newstand until there is an acknowledgement of the poor decision to praise this child and People publishes a story exposing the Puppymill industry that this child is supporting.
I am a volunteer for a rescue organization and own 2 dogs that are a product of this type of irresponsible breeding and neglect. They will require meds for the rest of their lives. If not for the rescue organization these 2 beautiful animals would have been destroyed.
