Snark is not funny when animal abuse is involved

The Consumerist is one of my favorite blogs, and I admit, it can get pretty snarky. It's part of what makes it so fun to read.

The website mostly focuses on consumer-based issues, like money managing, credit, customer service, etc. Sometimes it also posts about bad business practices, like the recent outing of Petland using puppy mills as suppliers.

I got an invite on Facebook to sign a petition for Petland to refuse puppy mill puppies, and I signed it, because I am all for animal rights. It was the first I had even heard of this controversy. Then, to be honest, I just kind of forgot about it. I mean, Kearney doesn't have a Petland, and none of the towns around here do. Also, I'm not in the position to buy a dog, so it doesn't really affect me as a consumer anyway.

But I was reminded today of the controversy after reading an article on The Consumerist that posted a snarky e-mail sent from Chris Beth, the director of regional operations for Petland in Plano, Texas, to the protesters at the store.

This is what it said:

From: Chris Beth [mailto:cbeth@petland.com]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 5:41 PM
To: jjpippin@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Petland Plano

Dr. Pippin,

I was at the Plano store last Saturday when you all were there. I just wanted to thank you for being there! We had so many people tell us that they did not see us located there and your people drew them into the store.

I was actually wondering if you could be there both days on the weekend and maybe Fridays?

Thanks again,
Christopher Beth
Director of Regional Operations - Western US
Petland, Inc.

The website also posts the replies between Dr. Pippin, a protester, and more from Chris Beth.

I have a sense of humor, so I can appreciate the sarcasm. But seriously, this isn't about something trivial - it's about protecting animals from abuse and attempting to shut down puppy mills by getting rid of any demand. With no demand, supply ceases to exist.

Is this funny? Really?!

No, it's disgusting! And what I think Petland will soon discover is that it's bad PR for a crisis such as this. I learned in INTRO TO MASS MEDIA (emphasis on intro) that the first thing you do in a PR crisis is apologize sincerely. The last thing you should do, by obvious common sense, is send out a snarky e-mail like the one above.

Not only will people react badly to such PR, but it gives the protesters ammo to use against Petland. Like I said before, I have never been a shopper at Petland, but because of such apathetic disregard for letting life stand in the way of profits, I will probably never become a customer. I won't even buy my cat food there, let alone a dog that may potentially come from a puppy mill.

Don't get me wrong, I love sarcasm. But it's not funny when animal abuse is involved.

[By the way, both Petco and Petsmart have stopped selling puppies altogether in order to ensure they are not giving business to puppy mills, and instead dedicate space to local shelters, the Humane Society and the ASPCA. Why is it so hard for Petland?]