Okay, I read this in the latest PPN and I'm going to retype it really fast, so I apologize in advance if I mess something up, but given recent discussions on both PETA and Petco, I thought some of you might find it interesting.
Petco, PETA Call a Truce
Pet Product News, June 2005 Issue
by Lori Leuchtefeld
After years of waging a very public war against the pet-supply chain Petco, the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ended it boycott and public-relations campaign against the company and has pledged to work with the retailer to advance animal-welfare issues.
Under the terms of the agreement, Petco has pledged to end its sales of large birds and promote and recommend flight cages to customers for all birds.
"We recognize that most of our bird customers are what we would call beginning hobbyists", said Bruce Hall, Petco president and c.o.o. "Large birds are not necessarily appropriate for these individuals due to their long lifespan, size, and care requirements."
The term "large birds" refers generally to large parrots or any birds bigger than conures, said Shawn Underwood, Petco spokesman.
For its part, PETA has taken down its anti-Petco Web sites and redirected the addresses to www. helpinganimals.com, which prominently displays the terms of the new agreement under a banner reading "Victory."
It has removed all references to "Petno: Where the pets die," and withdrawn its support of the use of the satirical logo by other groups.
PETA reports it will assist Petco in enlisting bird-rescue groups to work with the company in its in-store Think Adoption First program, which the company launched last year. The Petco Foundation also hosts National Adoption Days, with its last such drive in April reportedly finding homes for 14,480 animals, including some birds.
"For some, this is a big announcement," Underwood said. "For us, it's just one more step."
Petco also agreed to several changes regarding its handling of rats and mice, including separating the animals by gender and ceasing to label mice as "common" or "fancy." The primary reason is to move away from the concept of feeder mice for reptiles and toward frozen food.
Underwood said the company is either moving toward or already implementing these changes.
A Long, Hard Road
The agreement with PETA, reached after several months of discussions, is viewed by Petco as both a truce and a partnership, Underwood said.
PETA launched its formal campaign against Petco in January 2003, but PETA spokeswoman Daphna Nachminovitch said her organization has been communicating with the company regarding its animal care since 1994.
"I believe we're doing the right thing." Underwood said. "It doesn't matter if it's PETA or anyone else. When we talk about improving animal care, that's a good thing for the whole industry."
Underwood said the more than two-year-long boycott of Petco by PETA had more of an emotional impact on the company than a financial one.
"Our associates are very motivated to help animals," he said. "When they see a protest outside their store, it is offensive to them. It cuts to their core."
Petco planned to continue to sell the large birds that were in its stores at the time of the agreement. Following that, the company will direct people interested in the the animals to rescue groups.
"As far as sales, we do not expect significant impact," Underwood said.
Reaching a Compromise
Although PETA's initial complaints against Petco went beyond avian issues, Underwood said birds, which are "special-needs" animals, were at the top of its list of concerns.
"We believe that all birds should have the freedom to fly and be with others of their own kind, but large birds are exceptionally hard hit by captivity, and we commend Petco for deciding to help discourage their lifetime confinement," said Ingrid Newkirk, PETA's president.
Nachminovitch said that although PETA did not get everything it wanted in the agreement, the organization viewed it as a huge leap forward.
"We have to be realistic and reasonable," she said. "Some people are surprised to hear PETA say that."
She added that part of the written agreement with Petco stipulates that the two entities will keep lines of communication open to each other 24 hours a day.
"PETA's never going to give up on animal care, and neither are we," Underwood said. "IF they get complaints in the future, we expect them to bring them to us."
PETA's web site now directs people with concerns about a Petco location to contacts within both PETA and the compnay. It directs current Petco employees to an associate hotline--set up by Petco before the agreement with PETA--through which they can report concerns and remain anonymous.
Outside the Agreement
The agreement with Petco far from ends PETA's avian welfare advocacy efforts withing the pet industry.
"We hope other responsible retailers follow Petco's lead in this regard," Newkirk said.
Nachminovitch said the group planned to contact other major U.S. pet-retail chains and urge them to adopt practices comparable to Petco's new bird policies.
"We usually have one target at a time," she said. "when we get [the companies] responses, we'll evaluate them to determine future action."
Bruce Richardson, a spokesman for Petsmart, said at press time his company had not been contacted by PETA in regard to the Petco policy changes, but he said that the company was not likely to change its practices in light of the agreement.
"Generally we believe we do a good job of taking care of our birds and screening the people buying the birds." he said.
He added, though, that Petsmart does acknowledge and reply to communications from PETA.
"We don't always agree with them," he said. "But we certainly try to respond to their concerns."
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