Macy's window in San Francisico - live animals on display!

Honey08

Honey08

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I've just got back from San Francisco and was pretty disgusted to see puppies and kittens in the big Xmas window displays. Crowds of people were surrounding the windows oooing and aahhing at them.

The store doesn't sell pets, so I initially couldn't understand why they were there. It turns out that they are promoting local rescues and do this every year. Their facebook page boasts that they hope to help even more animals find new homes than previous years.

Is it just me or do you find this distasteful?

The rescue I support doesn't rehome dogs over the Xmas period. August is a really busy month for them as it is when the 9 month old dogs get dumped at the rescues - the ones that were cute puppies in December...

I would have respect for Macy's if they did this in January or later in the year, but seeing them do it in December under their "spirit of Xmas" buzzline doesn't come across as something they're doing for the good of the animals, but more as a marketing act for them.
 
To that festive grumble, I will add, the amount of pups for sale small ads in the paper trebling, and the amount of people complaining on Facebook about their dogs (mostly huskies) eating their Christmas trees.
Our dogs never had unsupervised access to the Christmas tree, thought that was a bit of a no-brainer if you have lively dogs!!!

It's a nice idea by Macys but I agree, bad timing, most of the independent rescues here have stopped rehoming during this period also.
 
It could be that they know that they'll have the most foot traffic at that time of year so want to have a way of catching folks eye - but maybe they don't actually let them go until after the holidays are over?

Re Xmas tree thing. I've got a 10 week old pup who's full of mischief - i'm putting puppy panels around the tree! LOL hope the wee monkey doesn't learn to climb it!
 
Hmm, I can see how it could be seen as distasteful. However, you say they are not actually selling them or promoting a puppy as a Christmas present but in fact promoting dog rescues and, maybe flagging the issue of dogs getting dumped at this time of year. I don't really see it as an issue if the dogs are safe, healthy and aren't just left there all day. I imagine they are from rescue centres and probably popped there for a few hours if that and I expect there are 'shifts' of puppies.

IF they were selling them then that's a different issue. It's down t the rescues not to rehome puppies/dogs at this time of year really. It may well get more footfall through rescues' doors though. I know the likes of Dogs Trust etc here won't rehome any dogs at this time of year although you can reserve them until the new year and I would home the US rescues follow a similar process.

I would be more concerned about Harrods here 0 don't they still sell puppies and kittens (amongst other animals!)
 
There are shifts of animals and they asked for volunteers to do shifts as carers too. However the dogs and cats in the windows are sitting amongst huge present boxes, looking like gifts under the headline "spirit of Xmas". There are also pictures of people on Facebook with their "new pet" from the Macy's campaign, no mention of homechecks etc. If you're on Facebook look up Macy's San Francisco and look for the SPCA mentions, see what you think.

And yes I agree, it is concerning to see animals in shops in the UK. I don't even like seeing the rabbits and hamsters in Pets at Home.
 
ladyt25 said:
Hmm, I can see how it could be seen as distasteful. However, you say they are not actually selling them or promoting a puppy as a Christmas present but in fact promoting dog rescues and, maybe flagging the issue of dogs getting dumped at this time of year. I don't really see it as an issue if the dogs are safe, healthy and aren't just left there all day. I imagine they are from rescue centres and probably popped there for a few hours if that and I expect there are 'shifts' of puppies.

IF they were selling them then that's a different issue. It's down t the rescues not to rehome puppies/dogs at this time of year really. It may well get more footfall through rescues' doors though. I know the likes of Dogs Trust etc here won't rehome any dogs at this time of year although you can reserve them until the new year and I would home the US rescues follow a similar process.

I would be more concerned about Harrods here 0 don't they still sell puppies and kittens (amongst other animals!)
Click to expand...

Yes Harrods were selling x breed pups for £2,000 last year. No mother in site. I posted about it but got little response.
 
If someone is daft enough to spend 2k on a random dog in a shop window, why on earth/what could be said or done that would make Harrods stop it :(

There are plenty of people selling random dogs for ridiculous prices out of backyards too sadly :(
 
It was to highlight the fact, bring attention and make people wake up a bit to what is going on in these shops. Its not just puppy farming thats providing people with these dogs, its a major London shop that needs little introduction, and no mother in site from the puppy farm? who knows. Again a major concern why people are breeding cross breeds that have no homes ready for them being promoted by this shop who I bet are on sales commisson.
 
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The pups in Harrods often come from large scale "industrial" breeding units, what would we call them normally....

I am not disagreeing with you in the least, it's appalling, but when the breeder and the shop is making a healthy profit, what would encourage them to stop, apart from educating people as you were trying to do.

On this forum and others, when people would question why people would spend silly money on a crossbreed of unknown heritage from a puppy farm or backyard breeder when they could get that same dog for cheap or free from a rescue or pound or oops litter, or a pedigree dog from generations of proven and health tested relatives for a lot cheaper, those people asking the question would be pilloried for being snobs, and it's all OK because the dog is cute and will be much loved and as it's a cross it will be 'healthier' and it's none of our business anyway - when I see those sorts of purchases as being no different from what is happening at Harrods.

Sorry, bit of a tangent!!
 
Harrods are stopping selling puppies, they say its a commercial decision, I will try and find the link which was from Puppylove.




Y
HARRODS is to close its pet department. The store confirmed the move this week saying it was based on ‘commercial factors only’.

The department, called Pet Kingdom, which is located on the fourth floor, will become extra space for women’s wear, said a Harrods spokesman.

"Employees have been informed and Harrods is working with them to find alternative positions in the store where possible,” she said.

"The Mungo & Maud concession in Pet Kingdom will be relocated to the second floor as part of the store’s lifestyle department.

"Harrods will, of course, endeavour to continue to help any customer wishing to purchase a pet through our ‘by appointment’ service.”

The spokesman declined to comment further.

The department has been the subject of protest over the years by campaigners against puppy farming and those who believe animals should not be sold in shops. It became known recently that French Bulldogs were being sold for £8,000 in the store.

In 2010, members of Puppy Love, Stop Puppy Farming End Cruelty and from the rescue site Dogpages delivered a 2,000-signature petition to Harrods saying that it should set an example by closing Pet Kingdom, and their views are supported by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust.

One campaigner said they were against the sale of puppies in pet shops and believed that puppy buyers should approach a reputable breeder or a rescue charity.

"Rescues are overflowing and thousands of dogs are being put down every year due to lack of homes,” she said. "People should look to an established rescue centre for a dog or go to a breeder who will have performed all the relevant health checks for their breed and where they can see the mother with the puppies.

"The breeder should ask a lot questions and offer lifetime back-up for all the dogs they breed. If not, walk away.”

At the time a spokesman for Harrods said the store ‘worked closely’ with the KC and ‘numerous animal welfare charities’ to ensure that puppies were sold responsibly. Customers were interviewed and must provide a veterinary or professional reference and a copy of a tenant’s agreement if appropriate, he said.

"We have the highest quality of animals and we are very meticulous in researching their background,” he said. "All of our breeders are reputable and breed their animals in a home environment. Full background checks are undertaken, breeding records are reviewed to ensure there is no under/inter-breeding, kennel registration is verified and home visits are arranged to ensure that they are maintaining impeccable standards and breeding animals who are healthy, happy, socialised and suitable for Harrods customers.”

Puppy buyers are given contact details of its breeder, he said.

"If for some reason the animal does not fit well into the home environment then we will accept the animal back,” he said. "We currently have three full-time, highly qualified livestock handlers and a qualified veterinary nurse, and their sole job is to care for all of our animals at all times. There is an exercise area, he said, and the animals are checked every 30 minutes at night.”





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