Who knew Petland could be so snarky? Here’s a really bitchy email Chris Beth, their director of Regional Operations, sent the head of a group of protesters who have been demonstrating outside a Petland store in Plano Texas over Petland’s alleged use of puppy mills. Bet he never thought it would end up on the internets:

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.

—-——-——-——-——-——-——-—

From: jjpippin [mailto:jjpippin@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:35 PM
To: ‘Chris Beth’
Subject: RE: Petland Plano

Ha ha, that’s very good Mr. Beth. We see the traffic at your store every Saturday, so please stop with the amateur reverse psychology.

Let’s just see how this works out, shall we? We’re in this for the long haul.

John J. Pippin, M.D.

—-—Original Message—-—
From: Chris Beth [mailto:cbeth@petland.com]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:54 PM
To: ‘jjpippin’
Subject: RE: Petland Plano

Dr. Pippin,

Ha, ha? I wasn’t kidding. Unless you are watching the traffic all other times of the week you certainly could not quantify the results of your presence like my stores door counters record. Regardless, we sold two puppies while you were there. One Westie and one Beagle.

We are also in it for the long haul, Dr. Pippin. The last 41 years of us being in business has not been by fluke.

Best Regards,

Christopher Beth
Petland, Inc.

Petland stores are independently operated franchises. The Petland company website says that, “Each is responsible for choosing healthy pets offered to Petland customers. Petland, Inc. provides each Petland store with humane care guidelines to assist in this important task.” So they give the stores a laminated binder – but do they actually check to make sure franchisees are following the guidelines? Is there a Kimberley Process for dog breeders?

(Thanks to Lisa!) (Photo: Hoong Wei Long)