OMG I am soooo Freaking out right now - the Bridges Pets Boycott has spun out of control!
Locally, we're boycotting a pet store who has started selling puppies and kittens from hobby breeders (not reputable ones, but people who think - you have a cute dog, I have a cute dog, let's make puppies).
- Today, I realized that the rescue group posted a response to my article on their Facebook page saying that Natural Balance supports selling puppies for proft and insinuating that they support puppy mills by not pulling their products from Bridges Pets.
- I emailed them this...
I implore you to take down the post accusing NB of being into selling puppies. I understand that this is a hot issue with you, but by attacking NB, you’re making it difficult for other brands to sponsor Scrub-a-Mutt, because you’re putting the message out there that if they don’t fall in line with your beliefs, you’ll burn them on social networking sites.
My goal in writing that letter was to show something from both sides. I actually believed that NB would think twice and come back and clarify their stance and still support your summer event. This online attack just eliminated that possibility.
I understand that this is a very emotional issue for you, but it’s important to take a step back and look at it from a business stand point, which is cold. If they don’t want to support your event, then at least you had some great years with them and you can now move on to find bigger, better sponsors.
Of course it’s your cause, your Facebook, and your event. But I hope that you give this a second thought. My concern is that you’re treading very closely to slander/libel with this post. I’ve seen a blogger attack a big brand and lose a lot in the end. They have endless resources.
They took down their post, but now I'm so freaked out, because I really support this group, but I'm worried about their emotional reaction to pet brands.
I imagine that you have a lot more experience working with brands + rescue and I would love to hear your your thoughts?
Views: 144
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by GIZMO GEODOG on -
Or rabid fanatics -vs- the voice of reason? Sounds like now they're trying to bully you into submission What a shame...the valid message they support will eventually get lost in all their one-sided propaganda
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on -
LOL and now I've been forgiven again. Emotions run really hot and cold in dog rescue. I'm going to take care in which causes I join, doing a little intel on the groups first. I still support this group, because these are my neighbors (not physically, but same town), but I'll have to tread carefully with them in the future.
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Permalink Reply by Kathy H Porter on -
I always arrive late to these chats. VERY deep breath and wrap that silence around you. Tightly. Your safe place to rant and rave is here, and even when you're doing that, you have always managed to be "grace under fire."
Email exchanges are almost always inadequate when arguments flair up - heck! Even humorous emails can turn around to bite the sender in the butt. If you are being attacked in emails, just put them in a file and don't answer them. If they've run "everything" through an attorney, you are better at distancing yourself from any further email exchanges.
We love you and will always have your back!
Kimberly Gauthier said:And now it's gotten nasty. Bummer. I just don't understand, but I'm certain that people see this when dealing with emotionally charged issues.
I'm being attacked via email for trying to understand everyone's POV other than the rescue group. I've been told that I "couldn't be more wrong." How can seeking to understand be wrong? I just don't understand.
They say that they've run everything through an attorney who told them they were right. What attorney told them that they should state that Natural Balance supports puppy mills? And even if someone did say they were in the right, that doesn't make it the right thing to do.
Deep breath. Deep breath. Deep breath.
Idealists vs Realists?
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Permalink Reply by Kathy H Porter on
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So, at some point in the future, could be in 24 hours, 2 weeks or 6 months from now, something else will happen that will connect you back to this incident and you'll suddenly realize why this "thing" happened. The lesson learned always shows itself when you need to apply it to another situation.
Kimberly Gauthier said:LOL and now I've been forgiven again. Emotions run really hot and cold in dog rescue. I'm going to take care in which causes I join, doing a little intel on the groups first. I still support this group, because these are my neighbors (not physically, but same town), but I'll have to tread carefully with them in the future.
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Permalink Reply by christie zizo on -
Idealists vs. Realists is exactly the problem. That and people who are part of causes but have no idea how things work outside of their myopic view of things.
This sort of thing literally ended several friendships for me several years ago. I hate that you're going through that. People who can't see what you are trying to do at this point are so stuck in their passion that they can't see past it.
As for this rescue group's leader... no offense, but they seem either nuts or immature. Or both. Backing off still seems like the best option.
Kimberly Gauthier said:And now it's gotten nasty. Bummer. I just don't understand, but I'm certain that people see this when dealing with emotionally charged issues.
I'm being attacked via email for trying to understand everyone's POV other than the rescue group. I've been told that I "couldn't be more wrong." How can seeking to understand be wrong? I just don't understand.
They say that they've run everything through an attorney who told them they were right. What attorney told them that they should state that Natural Balance supports puppy mills? And even if someone did say they were in the right, that doesn't make it the right thing to do.
Deep breath. Deep breath. Deep breath.
Idealists vs Realists?
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Permalink Reply by Deborah TaylorFrench on -
Actually, an ethical attorney would not encourage them to slander a company. Even if a company does wrong, they can still burn you in court. Just the cost of three lawyers all billing for the same face to face legal hearings, and pressing on week after week with legal advisers = HUGE bills an potential court fines. I do not believe they are idealists, they are expressing anger, and you have been a scapegoat.
I am sorry about her cutting your friendship. I think it is her loss. Kim, you are doing the right thing by being calm and understanding.
"Keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you" from a poem entitled "If"
Deborah
Kimberly Gauthier said:And now it's gotten nasty. Bummer. I just don't understand, but I'm certain that people see this when dealing with emotionally charged issues.
I'm being attacked via email for trying to understand everyone's POV other than the rescue group. I've been told that I "couldn't be more wrong." How can seeking to understand be wrong? I just don't understand.
They say that they've run everything through an attorney who told them they were right. What attorney told them that they should state that Natural Balance supports puppy mills? And even if someone did say they were in the right, that doesn't make it the right thing to do.
Deep breath. Deep breath. Deep breath.
Idealists vs Realists?
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