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?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by christie zizo on -
I don't have the experience you are looking for, but i do have plenty of experience in being at the cool, calm end of an emotional debate, and it nevers ends well... for me.
Is there anyone with Scrub-a-Mutt that you can talk to in private and maybe reach? That would be my best advice. Take the conversation offline. It's tougher, especially these days, to reason in a public forum. A private setting is best.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on -
I do want to reach out to them, but I feel that they're so emotionally charged right now that I might do more harm than good. I also don't want to ruin my relationship with them and there attack this morning was very uncomfortable.
I'm glad that they took down the post. That's a start at least. Maybe when they get some distance, I can help them with some fundraising ideas to make up for the $500 they lost when they lost Natural Balance as a sponsor.
christie zizo said:I don't have the experience you are looking for, but i do have plenty of experience in being at the cool, calm end of an emotional debate, and it nevers ends well... for me.
Is there anyone with Scrub-a-Mutt that you can talk to in private and maybe reach? That would be my best advice. Take the conversation offline. It's tougher, especially these days, to reason in a public forum. A private setting is best.
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Permalink Reply by vinnythepug on -
Stop Killing Health Pets! Vinny the Pug's Final, yet Most Important... from Vinny The Pug on Vimeo.
Hi Kimberly,
As a long time proponent of pet rescue and animal welfare, I too have been witnessing a turn to more militant tactics by some. It is my feeling that such actions are a distraction and does great harm to the causes these people really care about. I believe they do so because they are frustrated that their programs are yielding so few tangible results. Ironically, we're all about getting substantial money into the hands of those at the grass-root level. Even more important, about teaching then how to fund raise in the 21st Century. "Donation" based fundraisers is a model of the past.
In my quest to help move the U.S. and Canada toward 100% NO-KILL, I'm all about winning friends and influencing people to my cause. I have not time nor inclination to resort to confrontation or negative tactics.
In one week, 7 days, we will kickoff our 1st Annual 100-Day Pet Rescue Fundraiser marathon. At its completion, 100% of the monies raised will be divided among the participants. We're inviting 1,000 pet rescues and animal welfare groups to become registered participants and receive equal shares when the contest ends.
As for us, we only have 9 1/2 years to reach out objective or somewhere very close to it. We have no time for negativity as too many healthy pets lives are at stake. Please help spread the word and direct everyone to the fundraiser website.
http://igg.me/p/311313/x/975147
Vincent Thomas Pug
aka Vinny the Pug
New Orleans & Phoenix
vinnythepug@yahoo.com
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Permalink Reply by GIZMO GEODOG on -
Kim, you know I'v been following this on your blog...i can't believe the rescue did this...whoever posted that is out of control...i know you support the rescue group but it seems like now they've put you in a bad position
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on
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That's how I feel. I don't want to be tied to this and I feel that if I publically say anything then I'm going to be accused of supporting puppy mills. I know that my followers would never buy in to this, but they've effectively pushed me away; at least until they calm down.
I love working with brands; I don't want to be labeled as a PR black hole, because of the actions of one person run amok on Facebook.
GIZMO said:Kim, you know I'v been following this on your blog...i can't believe the rescue did this...whoever posted that is out of control...i know you support the rescue group but it seems like now they've put you in a bad position
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Permalink Reply by christie zizo on
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If there is no one there you can reason with right now, the best answer is to stay away. Don't make it public, don't do anything. Just back off and leave it. Let them come to you. Unfortunately, they may give themselves enough rope to hang their cause, but there isn't much you can do.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on
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That's what I was afraid of; what freaked me out and had me running to BlogPaws is that they mentioned me in their slam and linked to my blog. Talk about a heart stopping moment.
It's their cause and if they want to burn that bridge, it's their choice; but to bring me along felt awful. When they first announced that Natural Balance pulled their sponsorship, I would never have thought that a week later I would be pulling mine.
I'm trying to keep from making a rash decision; but I think your suggestion is right. It's time to just stay away and not make anything public. It would make such a great article though. LOL
christie zizo said:If there is no one there you can reason with right now, the best answer is to stay away. Don't make it public, don't do anything. Just back off and leave it. Let them come to you. Unfortunately, they may give themselves enough rope to hang their cause, but there isn't much you can do.
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Permalink Reply by christie zizo on
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It's bad PR for you, as well. Unfortunately, when people get this way, they don't realize how much they can hurt. By doing that, they may have alienated more than people than just you. What activists rarely understand is you won't get the regular joe to your cause if you pick on reasonable people.
It also is a great cautionary tale, and one you may want to write and hold in reserve... should they fail.
Kimberly Gauthier said:That's what I was afraid of; what freaked me out and had me running to BlogPaws is that they mentioned me in their slam and linked to my blog. Talk about a heart stopping moment.
It's their cause and if they want to burn that bridge, it's their choice; but to bring me along felt awful. When they first announced that Natural Balance pulled their sponsorship, I would never have thought that a week later I would be pulling mine.
I'm trying to keep from making a rash decision; but I think your suggestion is right. It's time to just stay away and not make anything public. It would make such a great article though. LOL
christie zizo said:If there is no one there you can reason with right now, the best answer is to stay away. Don't make it public, don't do anything. Just back off and leave it. Let them come to you. Unfortunately, they may give themselves enough rope to hang their cause, but there isn't much you can do.
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Permalink Reply by Deborah TaylorFrench on -
Kim, I too follow your blog. I suggest you let the dust settle and keep posting for pro rescue and adoption.
The twin path of reducing masses of puppies flooding the market until their "product" puppies end up in animal shelters needs to be talked up. This is the main thrust of my blog this year, discussing the huge knowledge and dedication gap between breeders.
All breeders should or could take responsibility for healthy puppies, tracking their puppies with buy back policies and microchips so that dogs are not dumped at animal shelters or rescues.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on
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Thanks, Deborah. I'll do just that. Thank you! And thank you to everyone who has chimed in. My heart is beating at a normal rate. I want to keep sharing education, but I just froze this morning.
Deborah TaylorFrench said:Kim, I too follow your blog. I suggest you let the dust settle and keep posting for pro rescue and adoption.
The twin path of reducing masses of puppies flooding the market until their "product" puppies end up in animal shelters needs to be talked up. This is the main thrust of my blog this year, discussing the huge knowledge and dedication gap between breeders.
All breeders should or could take responsibility for healthy puppies, tracking their puppies with buy back policies and microchips so that dogs are not dumped at animal shelters or rescues.
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Permalink Reply by Kathy H Porter on -
Hi Kim - just caught up with this thread and I agree whole-heartedly with Ms French. In my time, I've been right in the middle of some very heated, emotional issues when I ran that retired greyhound organization and one VERY important lesson I learned was the value of silence. Let it speak for you now especially because you've already written a very even-handed blog post (I read your first one earlier today) about a highly charged emotional issue. That you were able to then write a second email to that rescue group says so much about who you are, your ethical sense of right and wrong and your clear understanding of how a business might look at this volatile issue.
You did, very dispassionately, show both sides. If it spins out-of-control, it won't be your fault. In fact, if it does spin out of control, make silence work for you. Wait until someone comes back to you directly and then really think hard before you commit to whatever step might come next.
I am SO very proud of you.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Gauthier on
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Thank you so much, Kathy!
I'm so new to this and I appreciate your feedback. I really want my blog to be a voice for animal rescue, but I don't want to use my blogging as a weapon. I was hoping that my last post would inspire Natural Balance and Scrub-a-Mutt to have a new dialogue, but after the recent Facebook attacks, NB is probably feeling like they dodged a bullet.
Silence is golden! Mums the word. I am looking forward to writing more about similar issues and I'm excited to get started.
Thanks again!
Kathy H Porter said:Hi Kim - just caught up with this thread and I agree whole-heartedly with Ms French. In my time, I've been right in the middle of some very heated, emotional issues when I ran that retired greyhound organization and one VERY important lesson I learned was the value of silence. Let it speak for you now especially because you've already written a very even-handed blog post (I read your first one earlier today) about a highly charged emotional issue. That you were able to then write a second email to that rescue group says so much about who you are, your ethical sense of right and wrong and your clear understanding of how a business might look at this volatile issue.
You did, very dispassionately, show both sides. If it spins out-of-control, it won't be your fault. In fact, if it does spin out of control, make silence work for you. Wait until someone comes back to you directly and then really think hard before you commit to whatever step might come next.
I am SO very proud of you.
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