Animal Rights and Stores

Thought I'd share this part of a conversation via IM--no screen names, for privacy and all of that.

Me: I've been trying to train our puppy. He's got a few things down, but I'm a bit at my wit's end trying to teach the other things.
Them: I suggest books, or Petsmart training.
Me: Petsmart offers training?
Them: Petsmart does indeed offer classes yes
Me: I didn't know that... Chances are PETCO would as well, then, right?
Them: I don't support PETCO. They are evil
Me: How so?
Them: Do some research. they are a bad company if you are an animal rights activist.

So I did some research. My associate was correct--PETCO had indeed had some dark history involving animal rights.

And then I looked into PetSmart... and they had a bit of history involving animal rights as well! My associate was no longer online when I discovered this bit of trivia, but I can imagine hearing something similar to, "Well, it's not as bad as PETCO's" or "I didn't know that." (Mind you, I was told to do research, and I'd imagine someone who states that would do the same as well...)

Let's think about this. PETCO was evil... but it's fine to shop at PetSmart. This confuses me. How can you advocate one store and not another?

I'm not a vegatarian or PETA member or anything of the sort--I don't preach against hunting (unless the animal is endangered, but hunting them is illegal all ready) or eating meat (which is delicious and healthy if prepared correctly). However, I do believe animals shouldn't be ignored or mistreated. Taking care of other creatures is what makes us human, after all.

So what to do to shop for my pets and yet not support chains that are cruel to animals? Simple. Don't shop at them.

After all, many local pet stores would welcome you shopping there. And you can see how animals are treated at smaller stores with a bit more ease.

So no throwing bricks at stores, no throwing blood at the workers, no demanding law changes... just don't give them your money. If you know people who shop there and don't care, don't judge them--that's not your place. You made your suggestion, and hopefully made them think twice at shopping at a place that doesn't care about animals but markets to pet owners. And if enough people think about their shopping choices and don't support the stores, when questions arise as to "Why people don't shop here anymore?" they'll learn and most likely change since it'd make business sense to do so.

"But that approach would take too long! We need to save the animals NOW!"

Anything worth doing right is worth taking the time to do it correctly. If you want to channel that anger and energy, do something like help people that may need it now. Then you'll have more people that might feel how you do... and they'll have a stable enough environment to assist you.

Just don't be too fanatical in your cause. Violence doesn't really solve much, it's distasteful, and a lot of the things done are illegal. Being arrested might make you a "martyr for the cause" but is it worth it when you can't really view what's going on anymore?

As for me, I'll be traveling ten minutes out of my way to a more local shop for my pet needs. One person's business might not affect PETCO or PetSmart, but it sure as heck makes my conscience feel better.