Contact Information: Contacts: Carole Raphaelle Davis The Companion Animal Protection Society 310-990-5758 Animal Advocates Alliance Julia Cody JuliaC@AnimalAdvocatesAlliance.org
Companion Animal Protection Society Protests Responsible for Aquarium & Pet Center Decision to Go Humane
Animal Advocates Alliance Helped Negotiate Pet Store Decision
| Source: CAPS
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 12, 2009) - The Companion Animal Protection Society
(CAPS) and Animal Advocates Alliance (AAA) are proud to announce that
Aquarium & Pet Center in Santa Monica, California, is converting to a
humane business model. The pet store, which has been in business for over
20 years, has decided to no longer sell dogs from inhumane commercial
breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. The Aquarium & Pet Center,
owned by Mr. Scott Lee, will now work with rescue organizations to promote
adoptable animals from the Los Angeles municipal shelter system.
The Aquarium & Pet Center had been the target of an ongoing investigation
linking the store to the Hunte Corporation, a notorious puppy mill broker
in the Midwest. In addition to dogs supplied from inhumane breeding
factories in the Midwest, some of the pups sold in the store were found to
be from an overcrowded and substandard commercial breeding operation just
outside of Los Angeles. This is the fourth store in Los Angeles to succumb
to investigations and protests by The Companion Animal Protection Society
in the past four months. The other stores no longer selling puppy mill dogs
include Elaine's Pet Depot, Elite Animals and Pets of Wilshire.
"We congratulate Mr. Lee, his family and his staff on their wise and
compassionate decision to become a humane pet store," said Carole Raphaelle
Davis, West Coast Director of The Companion Animal Protection Society.
"Consumer taste is evolving and retailers need to pay attention in this
economy. Shoppers want a greener car, cage free eggs and non-polluting
household products. They don't want a puppy mill pet. They want a pet that
is cruelty-free. Mr. Lee's decision is an enormous victory for the animal
protection movement and in the longer term, for dogs and cats suffering in
inhumane breeding operations around the nation. The decision also has far
reaching benefits for pets in the Los Angeles shelter system, as they will
now have an additional place to be seen and adopted in up-scale Santa
Monica. Now, instead of selling intact animals from factories, the store
will be a happy place to shop and adopt, breaking the cycle of misery in
the puppy and kitty pipe line from factory to shelter to euthanasia. We
encourage consumers to shop at Aquarium & Pet Center now that they have
gone humane."
Mr. Lee is proud of his achievement. "As I get closer to retirement," said
Mr. Lee, "I would like to make the right choice to help homeless pets and
educate and support the community in the process. This is a proud decision
for me and my family."
Phillip Gharabegian, of the Animal Advocates Alliance was also instrumental
in negotiating the agreement. "Animal Advocates Alliance is pleased that
Mr. Lee has committed to a humane business model," said Mr. Gharabegian.
"They have chosen to set a positive example for other retail pet stores.
Mr. Lee has now become a part of the solution rather than supporting
irresponsible breeders who profit from the dreadful suffering of animals."
As a result of the agreement, the protests of the store will be called off.
The dogs that are currently in the store will be put up for adoption at a
celebration event at noon, on Saturday, November 14th.
CAPS had organized three weekend protests in front of the store. On October
10th, the protest was interrupted by violence, when dozens of animal rights
activists were shot at by an unknown assailant with a high powered air
rifle, spraying them with two millimeter brass slugs. Two of the protesters
were slightly injured. The police investigation into the shooting is
ongoing and there is a $5000 reward for any information leading to the
arrest and conviction of the shooter.
Media inquiries/interviews:
Carole Raphaelle Davis, author of "The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood
Wife" and West Coast Director of The Companion Animal Protection Society,
can be reached at 310-990-5758
To reach Animal Advocates Alliance please contact Julia Cody at
JuliaC@AnimalAdvocatesAlliance.org.
Footage of protest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxLBv2HEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vZeYrlBLv0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cplTokQb-Bc
KTLA news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46El_8jhOjo
About CAPS
Founded by President Deborah Howard in 1992, Companion Animal Protection
Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated
exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and
puppy mills. CAPS actively addresses the abuse and suffering of pet shop
and puppy mill dogs through investigations, education, media relations,
legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and
pet industry employee relations.
Animal Advocates Alliance is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated
to promoting the humane treatment of animals through legal advocacy,
effecting social change through community education initiatives and
supporting animal rescue organizations.