Protestors move on to Westgate’s Pet Superstore
Protestors from Beauty Without Cruelty and Ban Animal Trading SA tackles Westgate pet store.
Animal activists from the West Rand and beyond united at Westgate Shopping Centre where they protested against the practices of pet shops, in particular Westgate’s Pet Superstore, on Sunday 22 September.
In light of the recent protests held in front of various pet stores in Johannesburg, one specifically in front of the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm on 27 April this year, Ban Animal Trading South Africa (Batsa) and Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) organised their seventh protest this year in front of the Westgate Shopping Centre.
Though much less complaints about the Westgate Pet Superstore have surfaced in comparison to the other shops targeted, the Batsa/ BWC protestors stood strong and gathered on an island between Ontdekkers Road and the shopping centre’s parking lot at around 11am on Sunday.
The same ‘adopt, don’t shop’ and ‘we don’t need your freakin’ store’ chants could be heard echoing from the protestors. Passers-by and motorists were asked to make noise (and hoot) if they agree.
Pet Superstore manager Morné Mustard told the Record journalist who was on scene for the protest that he had to inform security guards of the protestors leaving pamphlets on vehicles in the parking lot.
Despite it being a legal protest, with JMPD consent and attendance, “the protestors infiltrated the parking lot the moment they got here,” which allegedly is against the original agreement between the protestors and centre management.
Paula Spagnoletti, animal activist, told the Record that they “target all pet stores that sell animals”.
“We do not believe that pet shops that sell animals promote or encourage responsible pet ownership.”
Spagnoletti encourages cooperation with the SPCA, saying that “at least the SPCA will make sure that those animals receive their vaccinations and medical care.
“The SPCA also will ensure that these animals are micro-chipped and sterilised before they are homed.”
Mustard, who stood on the stairs of Entrance 5 of the shopping centre looking on to the protest said, “Both the owner and I agree with 75 per cent of what their argument is.
“We don’t sell puppies or dogs from breeders but specifically try to help to home those ‘oopsies’ that the community have no other solution for.
“I understand that they have to start somewhere but I believe this shop promotes responsible ownership and that it isn’t necessary to demonstrate here.”
Mustard mentions that previous initiatives that the Pet Superstore have proposed to the Roodepoort SPCA to help home their animals quicker have been turned down due to the fact that “the SPCA doesn’t want to be associated with any pet store that sells live animals”.
“If they would only budge a little, this store could help them promote adoption in stead of purchase, and it could help home dogs that won’t be homed otherwise.”
Spagnoletti could not ascertain whether the two involved organisations have been in contact with Pet Superstore’s owner because she was not involved in the arrangements made for the protest.
To see photos of the event, click here.
As the organiser of this protest, I would like to put the record straight: we did not ‘infiltrate’ the parking area. In fact, we were told by the very officers of JMPD who accompanied us, to move into the area. As for Mustard’s comment that they home the ‘oopsies’: I visited the shop before the protest. We found a lonely German Shepherd puppy, wailing and in a dirty cage. The workers at the pet shop were asked to pay attention, but we were told that they were too busy to worry about the puppy. I was told VERY SPECIFICALLY that if I bought the puppy, I WOULD BE GIVEN THE NAME OF THE BREEDER. And at R3 000.00, that’s quite an expensive oopsie, don;t you think? Thank you, Mustard, for trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public. We will not stop until this horrid practice has been banned.
How does your store promote responsible ownership without doing a home check or backup after you have received your rather “huge” cheque, by the sounds of it?
Do you even care that those poor animals sit in cages with no garden or direct sunlight for days while you try and punt them to the first person with enough cash?
The SPCA don’t do “quick” homing, they do responsible homing, which is why they haven’t joined cash forces with you.
Animals aren’t products to be sold, not even the oopsies. Please also don’t mock the oopsies, since 80% of the human population are also oopsies – doesn’t make them any less worthy of common decency and respect and it certainly doesn’t qualify them for the markets.
Infiltrated? What are we, the KGB? Come on Mr. Mustard. Stop trying to find any old excuse to carry on doing what you’re doing. You know it’s wrong. Put compassion before cash for a change.
The issues that animal welfare organisations have with pet shops that sell pets:
You encourage “oopsies” by selling the offspring, there are simply too many “oopsies” and not enough homes.
The pets you sell are given to anyone with cash. The home might be entirely unsuitable for the pet.
The animal will more than likely NOT be sterilised – resulting in more “oopsies”
Animal shelters are overwhelmed with unwanted animals, many of them will have to be put to sleep to make room for the never ending supply that comes to our doors. Make your money from pet supplies and accessories, stop encouraging the back yard breeders and puppy farmers.
Selling “oopsies” is a FAR cry from promoting responsible ownership…. not even in the same ball park!
Not sure how the owner can say we infiltrated the parking lot when we were being monitored the whole time by security and JMPD. The only pamphlets were handed out were to motorists who stopped and opened their windows….they werent even in the parking area!
The comment regarding the protesters infiltrating the parking lot is false. The police are very strict about where protesters may go. They are on the scene for the duration of the protest and if you disobey them you may get arrested. I also find the manager of the store’s attempt to portray themselves as performing a public service by ‘homing’ the ‘oopsies’ laughable. So Pet Superstore is an animal welfare organization then?
What a liar you are Mr Mostert,I know for a fact that not a single Protestor “infiltrated” the parking area, neither did they leave pamphlets on cars.Did you not see all the JMPD officers parked in plain cars on the edge of the parking lot.All protestors stuck to the rules.Your ignorance in what the Protest was about is very clear in your statement. We are Protesting to make the Public aware of where that Animal in your Pet Shop comes from.EVERY Animal sold in a Pet Shop has been bred with NO DEMAND. Most puppies are purchased as an impulse buy with not much thought given.People rarely understand the needs of different breeds and either dump or give it away when it outgrows its cuteness. The fact that you think you are helping people by selling their “OOPSIE” litters is idiotic and all you are doing is creating a demand for back Yard Breeders to make a quick buck. We would all support your store if you didn’t sell animals.Our Protests and advertising will continue to educate the public not to buy from Pet Shops that exploit Animals for profit.Make a change and you will have the support of Animal Lovers who are standing up for the rights of Animals.
Mustard, let me tell you, there is a phenomenal concept in life called Karma. What you Sow so shall you reap…. Die wiele draai boet. See for every heart ache, every tear and pain that puppy felt wailing away it will all accrue to your accounnt. Every animal that you hoarded selfishly in a cage, ripped away from its mums milk and left to suffer, expect that in multitude coming your way.. You have a family too hey? See karma manifests exponentially, all these angels of god that took time and stood up against this cruelty you have failed to see their msg from above. I guess you will catch a wake up when Karma “infiltrates” your life, not all the money in the world will save you then. Die wiele draai chap. We will pray for you when GOD above decides he has given you all the knowledge to know what is wrong and right and you still choose ignorance. Better to earn money righteously than feed your family with animals tears. Catch a wake up
Mr Mustard – I don’t know where you get your information but why would an SPCA want to be associated with your store? In fact too many puppies and kittens are bought on a cute factor from a shop such as yours and frequently the SPCA ends up with them.
You say you deal with ‘oopsies’. Do you take the details of the owners of these litters? Do they keep bringing ‘oopsies’ in? Do you encourage them to sterilise their pets?
I honestly don’t believe you promote responsible ownerships unless you carry out home checks prior to adoption; arrange sterilisation; ensure the vaccinations are up to date; de-worm; encourage microchipping. Will you take the pet back if the owners feel they’ve made a mistake? If you don’t do any of that then as soon as the money changes hands you wash your hands of the pet.
I would have been there protesting had I not been working. I see too many unwanted dogs and see too many pts.
Morne Mustard I read with disgust your comments regards protestors “infiltrating” the parking lot, at no stage did any of the protestors infiltrate this area and therefore there would have been no need to inform security. Each and every protest is legal with the required permits being obtained prior to the time and Metro/SAP escorts being arranged. Did you fail to see the many uniformed and plain clothes police officers accompanying us? Not only did they accompany us but they ensured that there was no breach, in terms of “infiltrating” private property, each person in attendance ensures that they remain within the parameters of the law – what message would we be sending out if we made a spectacle of ourselves by “infiltrating” no go areas etc. Our sole purpose is to create awareness and educate the public as to where that cute doggy in the window comes from!! I question your statement regarding being in agreement with 75% of what we stand for, how can you say you promote responsible ownership when you market animals for sale and rely on impulse buys from the public. Responsible ownership would entail you, as the seller, executing a home check prior to sale (do you even know where these animals are), ensuring these animals are vetted as well as spayed/neutered (hence preventing the “oopsies” you so candidly refer to), micro chipping each and every animal and lastly having some sort of “buyback” agreement in place specifically for those impulse buyers who in months to come suffer buyers remorse and dump theses poor souls at the SPCA, an independent rescue organisation or worse still on the side of the road. Who then steps up and carries the bills to house, feed, vet and rehome these precious souls? Do you as the seller, does the breeder or is the onus placed solely on the shoulders of SPCA’s & independent rescue organisations who in turn rely on the kindness of the public for monetary assistance…..Morne Mustard my suggestion to you is to do your research more carefully, educate yourself on where those animals you are selling come from – you would be horrified and in addition to this check the stats of how many are TS on a daily basis simply because there are not enough homes for all of them yet the breeding and selling for personal gains continues unchallenged, well no more! Live animals being sold in pet shops, obtained from backyard breeders and puppy mills (farms), will soon become a distant memory as we continue to lobby for legislation to be put in place which will put an end to this appalling practice. Your living is made off the suffering and misery of God’s precious souls, sentient beings who have the capacity to feel the same as you do, I challenge you to spend one day of your time at an SPCA or rescue organisation and face, head on, the horror they face on a daily basis brought on by the greed of man and his obsession with material possessions as opposed to compassion for all living beings. I pray you see the light and realise the cruelty of this practice, I pray you sit down and ponder long and hard over the suffering of so many of these precious souls that you have been a part of and lastly I pray you take a stand and refrain from selling live animals in your store…………… only once you take this stand will I commend you for your statement whereby you claim to agree with 75% of what we stand for!! Perhaps then we can alter the statement to read 100%.