A Christmas "What would you do?"

I've received a number of gifts from dog daycare clients, and
what to do with one has me stumped. It's a gift card for
Petland, a chain store from which I refuse to buy (and council
others to not either). Petland is one of the only large pet
operations to sell dogs, cats, other small mammals, and
exotics in western Canada. The one in a mall near my house
always has puppies on display by their mall entrance. They
encourage all to pet, paw, and otherwise pummel those poor
puppies.

Sandy in OK...

I say donate to the shelter. The card is payed for, so Petland has
their money. Sometimes I go into that type of pet store and talk with
people looking at the puppies about why its not a good idea to buy one.

Rocky...

I've been asked to not return to my closest Petland for just
that reason. I took a soft approach, mentioning that I'd seen a
similar "Cutsie-Poo" on the city's rescue site for far less that
Petland's $700 price tag.

Not that it helps much, but it makes me feel better. You can either do
some politicking while there or just give the card to the shelter with
an explanation of why you have it.

I have no idea how much is on the gift card and I'm at a loss
as to whether I should use it [1], return it to the person who
gave it to me [2], or mitigate its usage somehow [3].

[1] I can't use it for stuff I'll keep. I just know that I'd
always look at that toy or leash with despair and not use it.

[2] The person who gave it to me was well-meaning and I won't
insult her by returning it.

[3] I'd like some ideas on this category. My first thought
was to buy stuff to donate to the shelter.

shore...

I'd check with the shelter to see if they'd like the card
itself.

Rocky...

That seems to be the best way. Thanks. Though I still think
I'll drop by an outlet and see if they'll give me cash to donate
instead.

I'll report back after Christmas as to how far I got on this.

Rocky...

As I suspected, Petland wouldn't give me cash in exchange for
the gift card (which is supposedly like cash, albeit limited
in its use, I guess). I'll keep the card in my wallet and
it'll go to the next animal rescue group I run across.

At least I was able to tell the Account Manager (that's what
his tag said) why I wouldn't shop in his store. He
immediately begged my forgiveness and committed himself to
making sure that every Petland in the world would follow up on
all the dogs they'd ever sold. Well, that's what I read into

Mark Shaw...

Bwah!

his shrug.

Mark Shaw...

Yes, I'm sure that's what he meant.

Janet B...

You're very insightful!

MauiJNP...

you could buy puppy stuff and send it to Montana

montana wildhack...

That's sweet!

I think Matt has made his decision and I fully support his kindhearted
donation to whatever local group he chooses. These surprise puppies
have a foster home but not all do.

Paula...

I don't think Montana would want Petland stuff, either. Petland would
probably buy Montana's puppies and sell them for a thousand bucks a
piece if she could make up a cutesie mix name for them.

MauiJNP...

is Petland in USA? I've never seen one.

Paula...

Yes, but not in every state, according to their website. You may not
have one near you. Matt is in Canada, where they also have them.
Apparently, they are also in Japan, France, Chile and South Africa.

montana wildhack...

Put your thinking caps on. Not to sell the puppies, but a cutsie mix
name never hurt.

And Nemo/Neo may have yet another name. For some reason, her former
owner called her Slappy and she answers to that.

I hate that name, but I don't hate Happy and she answers to that equally well.

bogmyrtle...

I would do 3 I think ...

Paula...

I would give the entire gift card to a shelter or rescue to use for
whatever they feel they most need.

I agree that good people who are well-meaning shouldn't be insulted by
a return. If you get a chance to talk to them about Petland in the
future, great, but if you don't have a good way to address it, then
just appreciate a good thought from good but uninformed people and
make the gift mean something to the dogs who have it bad as a way of
balancing out the Petland harm to dogs.

Tara...

I would *absolutely* either use the card or donate the card, since they
already have the money and just profit even more by it going unused.

I would either buy supplies and donate them, or just donate the card
directly and let the shelter get what they need with it.

I know what you mean. I hate walking into stores like that. The last
time I shopped at Petland here (emergency supplies, I was sick and it
was the only store open.....REALLY bad planning on my part), I ended up
reporting no less than 5 very ill small animals that were suffering in
their cages. It broke my heart. I'm so glad that more and more options
have opened up over the last decade.

Mark Shaw...

There's a puppies-and-kittens pet store a few miles from my
house that's been in business for some time, and which apparently
makes quite a bit of profit from the sale of same.

Christmas eve, I spied a minimum-wage wretch holding an advertising
sign for this store at an intersection, encouraging people to come
in and buy a puppy or kitten as a Christmas gift.

I don't know why I took that so personally, but it felt like they
were taunting me. One of these days I'm going to have to go in there
and try to get thrown out.

montana wildhack...

At Christmas dinner last night, a guest mentioned that there was a
store that sold puppies near her home and wondered if they might sell
our puppies. Since I had met these people hours before, I bit my tongue.

Luckily, her husband piped up that they sell puppy mill puppies and all
I had to do was back him up. She simply didn't understand that, but
then volunteered that she would spread the word about not patronizing
the store.

diddy...

I was given a Krogers gift card. I refuse to buy from Krogers. I donated my
card to the battered women's & disaster relife, & homeless shelter (they
are one and the same). It was greatfully received (along with my weekly
donations of excess eggs)

sighthounds & siberians...

I'd just give the card to the shelter and let them buy what they need.

Rocky...

Thanks, I'll go with the consensus.

Mustang Sally

Janet B...

That would be my choice.

You might want to take the opportunity to gently educate your day care

Rocky...

Normally I'm not gentle, at least before the fact -
like when
clients ask me where to buy food and toys. I've told
many
that they're simply not *allowed* to buy at Petland and
have
explained why.

Janet B...

Same here, but in the case of a well-intended gift.....

Rocky...

.....I'm going to say nothing at all. Well, maybe in 6 months
or so.

Lynne...

That sounds like the best plan.

Rocky...

S'truth, I never planned on saying a thing, my real question was
about what to do with the gift card.

client as well. A thank you note, explaining what you purchased with

Kathleen...

She'll learn to answer to anything you call her. All of mine have had
multiple nicknames and they never failed to realize who was being addressed.

it and where it went, and [gently] why, will educate and avoid getting
another gift card from there! I think the person would welcome
knowing you are a man of principles, but also a polite one.