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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).

 

  3. 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.
  4. 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

Permalink Reply by Deborah TaylorFrench on February 4, 2013 at 1:26pm

Yes, Kim - Kathy Porter said what I forgot, you have been tender, thoughtful and kind. You are showing true strength and calm. The only way to bring peace to this world is by being peace. Your fairness and respectful treatment of others, may not come back to you right away, but it will return and support you when you least expect.

Well done. Bravo!

Permalink Reply by Tom Collins on February 4, 2013 at 2:50pm

Hi Kim,

Kudos to you for making the brave attempt to be the voice of reason. Sadly, that can result in being attacked from both sides.

I love Vinny's approach, because the most tragic thing I see here is the likelihood that everyone involved loves animals and wants to promote pet welfare and contribute to ending the horror of puppy mills. I don't know anything about Bridges Pets except from your post dissecting their FB statements, but as an outsider, I could see some good intentions mixed in with their defensiveness and lack of understanding.

I wonder what might have happened if leaders in the local rescue community had taken a more private and positive approach, perhaps a series of meetings and communications leading toward the pet store hosting not only adoption days, but events in which the store personnel could be seen as educational resources on pet welfare topics, including responsible breeding.

At this point, I think the advice to let the dust settle seems both unanimous and sound. You may draw some comfort and perspective from Pam Webster's wonderful post on Something Wagging this Way Comes: Lessons in Grace - The Idealists vs. the Realists (as I did during the controversy she wrote about; btw, we did emerge a stronger community, I believe).

Oh, and thank you as well for the link in your post to A Mastiff Blog's post, The Backyard Breeder vs. The Responsible Hobby Breeder - I'm guessing many people might quibble with some of the details in a few places, but it's the best attempt I've seen at putting some clear definitions to terms that usually get thrown around loosely.

I'm happy that you felt safe to raise these issues here and that our community has responded so constructively!

Thanks to everyone,

Tom

Permalink Reply by Dawn Miklich on February 4, 2013 at 5:13pm

Kimberly,

It's too bad they didn't take your post in the way it was meant. I guess they just aren't ready to listen to anyone who isn't thinking like they do.

I love the Internet, but I think it makes people much more reactionary. They can rally supporters in no time by just posting to FB or their blog or Twitter. These are great tools when people are thinking rationally about what they want to accomplish, but when they're angry it just makes things worse.

Since I have plans to work with rescues and pet businesses in my community, I've been thinking more and more about how I can handle those issues that can spark controversy between groups. I know there's no way to prevent it 100%, but I'd like to keep it to a minimum.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 4, 2013 at 5:16pm

I'm happy to say that the rescue group rethought their actions and sent the following message to me...

Hi Kim! After careful consideration, we have decided to remove the post that is in question.

We had to remind ourselves of why we started Scrub-A-Mutt 6 years ago. The motivation behind our decision to create Scrub-A-Mutt was the horrors, brought to our attention by an Oprah Winfrey show, of puppy mills. We have raised thousands of dollars and donated 100% of our event day proceeds to local pet-based charities who experience, on a daily basis, the result of irresponsible breeding. We will continue to save, advocate and make a difference because that is who we are.

We value your opinion and have the utmost respect for you. We also recognize that, from a business standpoint, NB felt that they had no choice but to discontinue their support of Scrub-A-Mutt. Our relationship with NB, even though it was only for our 2012 event, was an enjoyable one. We did not wish to lose their donation and support but we respect their decision to remove themselves from this situation. We will lose some supporters but we are also finding, throughout this journey, that we are gaining new ones.

If our mission is to be successful it will be of paramount importance that we remain focused on what our goal is. Your goal is very much the same as ours. Together we will do our part to give a voice to the animals who do not have one.

Whew!

Permalink Reply by christie zizo on February 4, 2013 at 5:21pm

You've very right about it making people reactionary. The recent Applebee's fiasco is a perfect example. I think social media got really big really fast and no one is really teaching people how to properly deal with that. And it is way too easy to just type the first thought that pops in your head sometimes. i can't tell you how many posts I've deleted over the years because I was hot to trot and had a keyboard at my finger tips.



Dawn Miklich said:

Kimberly,

It's too bad they didn't take your post in the way it was meant. I guess they just aren't ready to listen to anyone who isn't thinking like they do.

I love the Internet, but I think it makes people much more reactionary. They can rally supporters in no time by just posting to FB or their blog or Twitter. These are great tools when people are thinking rationally about what they want to accomplish, but when they're angry it just makes things worse.

Since I have plans to work with rescues and pet businesses in my community, I've been thinking more and more about how I can handle those issues that can spark controversy between groups. I know there's no way to prevent it 100%, but I'd like to keep it to a minimum.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 4, 2013 at 5:29pm

Me three!

christie zizo said:

 i can't tell you how many posts I've deleted over the years because I was hot to trot and had a keyboard at my finger tips.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 4, 2013 at 5:29pm

Thank you!

Deborah TaylorFrench said:

Yes, Kim - Kathy Porter said what I forgot, you have been tender, thoughtful and kind. You are showing true strength and calm. The only way to bring peace to this world is by being peace. Your fairness and respectful treatment of others, may not come back to you right away, but it will return and support you when you least expect.

Well done. Bravo!

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 4, 2013 at 5:29pm

Thanks, Tom!  I appreciate the links!!!

Tom Collins said:

Hi Kim,

Kudos to you for making the brave attempt to be the voice of reason. Sadly, that can result in being attacked from both sides.

I love Vinny's approach, because the most tragic thing I see here is the likelihood that everyone involved loves animals and wants to promote pet welfare and contribute to ending the horror of puppy mills. I don't know anything about Bridges Pets except from your post dissecting their FB statements, but as an outsider, I could see some good intentions mixed in with their defensiveness and lack of understanding.

I wonder what might have happened if leaders in the local rescue community had taken a more private and positive approach, perhaps a series of meetings and communications leading toward the pet store hosting not only adoption days, but events in which the store personnel could be seen as educational resources on pet welfare topics, including responsible breeding.

At this point, I think the advice to let the dust settle seems both unanimous and sound. You may draw some comfort and perspective from Pam Webster's wonderful post on Something Wagging this Way Comes: Lessons in Grace - The Idealists vs. the Realists (as I did during the controversy she wrote about; btw, we did emerge a stronger community, I believe).

Oh, and thank you as well for the link in your post to A Mastiff Blog's post, The Backyard Breeder vs. The Responsible Hobby Breeder - I'm guessing many people might quibble with some of the details in a few places, but it's the best attempt I've seen at putting some clear definitions to terms that usually get thrown around loosely.

I'm happy that you felt safe to raise these issues here and that our community has responded so constructively!

Thanks to everyone,

Tom

Permalink Reply by Dawn Miklich on February 4, 2013 at 7:34pm

I just heard about the Applebee's thing today. People don't take the time for things to get worked out through normal channels anymore and it's causing more problems than it needs to. Losing a job would not be worth the attention you get.

I am a big one for writing posts and then deleting them. I used to be big at writing letters to the editor and never sending them. At least it gets it out of my system.

Kimberly- It sounds like they are finally starting to get their head about them. Glad this has turned out for the better.  

christie zizo said:

You've very right about it making people reactionary. The recent Applebee's fiasco is a perfect example. I think social media got really big really fast and no one is really teaching people how to properly deal with that. And it is way too easy to just type the first thought that pops in your head sometimes. i can't tell you how many posts I've deleted over the years because I was hot to trot and had a keyboard at my finger tips.



Dawn Miklich said:

Kimberly,

It's too bad they didn't take your post in the way it was meant. I guess they just aren't ready to listen to anyone who isn't thinking like they do.

I love the Internet, but I think it makes people much more reactionary. They can rally supporters in no time by just posting to FB or their blog or Twitter. These are great tools when people are thinking rationally about what they want to accomplish, but when they're angry it just makes things worse.

Since I have plans to work with rescues and pet businesses in my community, I've been thinking more and more about how I can handle those issues that can spark controversy between groups. I know there's no way to prevent it 100%, but I'd like to keep it to a minimum.

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 5, 2013 at 5:11pm

The leader of the rescue group has decided to end our friendship, because of a status update I posted the other day on Facebook during a frustrating blogging moment.

My update: "sometimes I wish I would have never started blogging"

She took this personally, thinking that she was the reason why I (her perception) hated blogging.  I explained the frustrations of maintaining a website and that I don't post updates that are secret digs at others.

She also feels that I've been disagreeing with her stance with Natural Balance and Bridges Pets and doesn't want to be connected with me, because we don't see eye to eye.  Which amazes me, because I feel that I've done a great job trying to understand where everyone is coming from and sharing good information.

It stings a bit, but I'm pretty proud of what I've done and just can't be too heart broken about it.  She has a right to connect with whomever.  I'm excited that in an emotionally charged situation, I kept my head and didn't attack anyone.  How can you regret that?

Thanks for all the comments and feedback.

Permalink Reply by GIZMO GEODOG on February 5, 2013 at 5:17pm

Wow Kim, after everything, she ends a friendship over such an innocuous remark? Soundslike she was looking for an excuse to unload on you because you were trying to remain calm and neutral...Sad to say this might be one of those relationships best ended

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on February 5, 2013 at 5:36pm

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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