People Magazine, please run an article about the awful sources of most of the puppies sold by brokers and pet shops - and offer the more ethical alternatives - rescue and reputable breeders.
It's ridiculous that such a successful mag. like People didn't realize this boy and his family were having a mini puppy mill in their home! I think People mag. also needs to be educated, and also print an article about Puppy Mills. This article was disgraceful.
Does the term "filthy lucre" ring a bell? They claim to breed for 'quality, not quantity.' I don't know of any animal that is not of quality.....human beings, yes, but no animal. Shame on you for spotlighting this as entrepreneurial, and not for what it really is - the death knell for thousands of precious creatures already awaiting loving homes.
For generations my family has been animal lovers and my father rescued many a dog and brought them home to us. Breeding for profit alone without care for the future of the animal is unconscionable.
This kind of "marketing" is disgusting and selfish. It is purely and simply a way to make a quick buck. Anyone who would buy a puppy this way is just ignorant. By glorifying this boy as an entrepreneur is outrageous and irresponsible. Shame on you!
stop puppy-mills! The dogs live in horrible conditions with little thought givin to their health and well-being. Adopt from shelters and enjoy the loving adoration of a grateful puppy!
I am adimate about getting pets spade o neutered due to so many homeless, starving, or unloved animals. I am a lover of animals, especially dogs. It turns my stomah to see so many homeless animals or animals in homes that treat them inhumanly. Please stop the inhumanity. They depend on us for their well-being.
I agree that the article in the magazine was done in bad taste and would cause others to think that would be a good way to get into business. A side article should have been written about the dangers of operating a puppymill or any other animal mill. Proper medical care is needed and having the responsibility to spay or neuter the dogs. I do know of very reputable animal breeders who specialize in a limited number of one breed of animals or mixed breeds and makes sure that the animals are very healthy, well socialized, and not caged. I know of some breeders who are not into making a profit but do it out of love. My family only buys dogs or cats locally and have brought in strays over the years as personal pets. I don't like it when animals have to be shipped over long distances by themselves. I have a very good friend who works in a animal shelter and tells me stories of how animals come into the shelter. Very heart-breaking!
Why would anyone support puppymills, yet along be one?!?! It's all about making money....sounds like this country still premative. Grow up and think about what is right!
Cuddlypuppy.com is just another version of a puppy mill. There are too many unwanted pets in the world already...puppy mills and all versions of them must be stopped. Pups should only be available from reputable breeders!
People Mag - be a little more socially alert - this is a fight with puppymills and the enablers that has been going for many years. Wake up! Now you can join the list of enablers. Take a tour sometime of a puppymill. Watch some footage. Go to a local shelter and see the results of this socially corrupt business.
S Wilson
Pickering, Ontario
I received word of this article via a breed specific e-group I belong to. I have not seen the article in People magazine, however I have looked at the cuddlypuppy.com website. I applaude Timothy for making an attempt to direct his website visitors to petfinder.com before contacting him about a puppy, however, the very existance of his website will only contribute to pet overpopulation and unwanted animals in shelters. Ny encouraging mills and byb, he is proving himself only to be immoral - or perhaps uneducated?? Lets hope that this petition "educates" him about the real "cost" of his venture. Please, Timothy - you seem like an intelligent young man, direct your energies and talents elsewhere. Too many helpless animals will suffer as a result of this. And shame on People for not thinking this one through.
This turly is a disgrace. With so many animals being put down or homeless each day the last thing needed is another irresponsible person breeding more animals for profit. It has nothing to offer except heartbroken animals and money for the careless 'breeder'.
How irresponsible of People to recognize a teenager making money from the suffering of animals as a "Teen Titan"! How about featuring a teenager helping homeless animals in shelters, to tell the other side of the story? I'm amazed that the editors of People aren't aware of the cruelty perpetuated by the sale of puppies over the Internet...Barbara Castleman
Please run an article about the TRUE state of affairs with our animal friends. There are too many in pounds and dumped to fend for themselves. We don't need more.
I have to rescued Boxers, and I think that the public needs to be more aware of dogs in shelters and rescue. It makes me sick to my stomack to know people are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for the dogs from the mills, and People Magazine is encouraging it.
Lets not bad mouth this young man. He may think that he is helping out the animals when in reality he is creating an avenue for puppy mills to sell without any screening process.
Can we just blame this article on ignorance? It is frightening that no one at the magazine recognized this "business" for what it is: making a commodity out of living, sentient, innocent puppies. Plug your brains (and your hearts) in! Would you have featured a regular puppymill "entrepeneur" in this positive light?
Have not read article yet, but cannot believe People would give this boy free advertising. In Ontario they are going through to pass a bill banning all pit bulls in the province. When will people learn that it is puppy mills and the allowing of pet stores to sell puppies that brings out unsocialized animals. Potential owners must be educated about a breed before making a purchase. Not all dogs are suitable for all families. Maybe People could also interview a responsible breeder to show the difference. I put my heart and soul into my dogs, I never make a profit from puppies nor am I seeking one. I just want to better my breed and have healthy, friendly and happy puppies in the pet homes.
I find it reprehensible that your magazine would be so irresponsible to feature a kid selling animals with no concern as to their welfare and where they end up. His only goal is to make as much money as he can. These puppies are living, breathing creatures. Being an animal shelter employee and seeing many unwanted, abused, and neglected animals, I'm certainly not a fan of breeders, but I'd rather see someone purchase a dog from a responsible breeder rather than from this clown. If people desperately "need" a pedigree dog, what about a rescue group? Unbelievable.
Rescues around the country are working desperately to get rid of these horros and you make it sound like this kid is a hero!!! I hoe you will print some kind of retraction!!!
How about an article on responsible breeders who do genetic testing, like OFA, CERF, etc. and place their puppies in responsible homes vs. the puppy miller who is strictly in it for a buck, and does not care what condition their puppies are in or where they go.
You should be ashamed of printing an article such as this without doing your research. Shame, shame. I will definately rethink my next purchase of your magazine.
I raise and sell dogs but am very careful where they go to. This person (child) and the breeders who use his service have no idea where their pups are going to!!
This young entrepreneur should not be peddling puppies, there are more than enough puppy mill operations out there aready. A puppy is not a comodity to be sold to the first person with enough cash to buy it. Ultimately many of these puppies will be abused, neglected or discarded.
This is disgusting People! You featured an article about a PUPPY BROKER who takes puppies from PUPPY MILLS...doesn't that mean something to you? If anything, he should have been featured had all the dogs come from rescues. Shame on you!
