End Breed Discrimination in PetSmart’s Doggie Daycare

Bella P AL

If you support all breeds, why support Breed Specific Legislation/Breed discrimination otherwise known as BSL? Every day innocent dogs such as Pit Bulls, Bull terriers, and other bully breeds are being put to sleep only because of one thing~ their stereotype. When you think “Pit Bull” what words come to mind? “Vicious”, “Dangerous”? What if I  told you those words aren’t true? That those words are simply a burden all pit Bulls have to carry with them?  This is the problem we’re facing, and now PetSmart is contributing to the hate.

According to PetSmart’s daycare guidelines, dogs of the bully breed, or mixed breeds that appear to look like them are strictly not allowed. Why are we mad? Because our dogs, no, our family members are being discriminated against just because of their looks. And we the people who own these wonderful dogs, are outraged and are determined to get justice for those who can’t speak, and we will not back down. If we win, will we be able to bring justice to these dogs. It is estimated half a million pit-bull type dogs are killed each year in shelters across the US. We need to put a stop from this, now. 

Here are some common Pit Bull Myths~

• MYTH- Pit Bull's have Locking Jaws
• REALITY- Pit Bull's jaws actually have the same characteristics as any other breed. They don't have locking jaws, however one natural trait is determination, so when they do something they'll make sure they are determined to get it.
• MYTH- You should never adopt a Pit Bull, because you don't know it's passed Parentage & History.
• REALITY- It all comes down to the dog's previous environment and past. It should be based on any dogs current personality. 
• MYTH- Pit Bull's are genetically aggressive.
• REALITY- This is a stereotype. Pit Bull's natural traits are actually loyalty, Friendliness, obedient, and affectioness! Nowhere in those traits are aggressiveness. 

 So why do we care? These dogs can’t speak up for themselves, they have no voice. These dogs are being killed solely for their looks, and stigma. Let’s put an end to BSL and let’s make PetSmart an all dog friendly place. 

Photo courtesy of @gotti_roxy from Instagram 

Why Pet Owners Should Care About Banfield & VCA Animal Hospitals Coming Under Same Corporate Umbrella

Consumerist (Reprinted from Twitter)

January 9, 2017 By Laura Northrup@lnorthrup

A pending merger will put a number of the nation’s biggest veterinary care chains — VCA Inc., Banfield Pet Hospital, and BluePearl Veterinary Partners — under the ownership umbrella of candy and packaged foods giant Mars Inc. This deal will add VCA’s nearly 800 hospitals into what some critics say is a one-size-fits-all medical assembly line.

Why does Mars––a company more associated with Snickers and Twix than with veterinary care––want to be so heavily involved in animal hospitals? Pet care is becoming a big business, as pet owners increasingly treat their dogs and cats like family members, paying top dollar to keep them healthy and extend their lives. At the same time, chain clinics are replacing smaller, independently owned clinics.

Mars Inc. bought the Banfield chain in 2007. The clinics, conveniently connected to Petsmart stores, sell their wellness plans as something that isn’t quite health insurance, but that spreads a pet’s medical costs throughout the year. Since 2008, we’ve shared consumers’ problems with these plans.

Pet owners are often shocked to learn that they have to keep paying for the plan for the rest of the year after their pet dies, since the plans sound like health insurance to the average consumer. Hospital employees have told consumers that they can “cancel at any time,” leaving owners on the hook for another year of payments when they don’t want to continue the plans.

In a recent, lengthy piece that every pet owner should read about the rise of Banfield, Bloomberg Businessweek heard from former Banfield vets and patients that the wellness plans include services that a pet might not necessarily need and that could put it at risk, like an annual teeth cleaning under general anesthesia, and annual doses of vaccines that aren’t scaled to a pet’s size and that animals don’t need every year to maintain immunity.

Now Mars will be adding nearly 800 VCA hospitals to its existing 900 or so Banfield clinics, raising concerns that these problematic plans will be the norm for thousands of additional pets and their owners.

At the same time, the sheer size of the Mars Inc. animal care business raises questions about the future about the veterinary care industry. This same sort of rapid consolidation has already occurred in certain niche care businesses, like funeral homes, where bereavement Voltrons like Service Corporation International are allowed to gobble up independent, traditionally family owned funeral homes as the owners of these smaller businesses retire or sell out.

Trip to PetSmart

Today I visited PetSmart for the first time that I remember. Mama and Dad took me there and they were a bit worried because they didn't know how I was going to react. I don’t know why they thought I may embarrass them: I would never do that intentionally. There were a lot of animal smells in the air and on the floor and lots of nice and helpful humans. I truly was frightened but portrayed my courage. On the outside I was looking cute and calm, on the inside I was shaking like a scared cat! Lots of humans told me how good-looking I was! Mama totally agreed with them. 

Here I am walking into the store...

...here I am in the store eyeing the toys...

Here Dad and I are patiently waiting for Mama to decide what collar she wants me to wear. 

Mama finally made her selections. Dad got to pay for two bags of training treats, a harness for the car to keep me safe on the road, one for walking (which will control me better from pulling), a new pretty pink collar, lovely tag with Swarovski crystals and my name engraved on it, and a new leash (Mama isn't sure she likes it). It is supposed to reflect when car lights shine on it. You do realize I am mostly black, which makes it hard to see me in the night. 

Shopping is tiresome

Today was like Christmas all over again! Adventure and gifts—a canine couldn't ask for a better day. 

Woof, woof, till later…