http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/24/all-pupped-out/
Flea market halts sale of dogs, cats after taint of 'puppy mills'
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
No more puppies or kittens will be sold at the Memphis Flea Market, The Big One.
Vendors were told last weekend about the new policy, which is already in place at other flea markets operated by Buffalo, N.Y.-based American Park & Swap. Birds and other small animals still will be sold.
On Saturday, about a dozen vendors were given a written notice from general manager Sandy Hembree.
Hembree referred questions to owners American Park & Swap, where officials declined comment, referring to the written notice as their official statement.
It said the new policy is based on media reports and discussions with animal welfare groups regarding the "alleged" improper care of animals outside of the flea market.
There have been no concerns raised about how flea market vendors care for animals, but the company believes "closer regulation of cat and dog vendors at the flea market would have now been required in light of the off-site concerns."
Earlier this year an alleged puppy mill was raided in North Shelby County. Also, The Oprah Winfrey Show featured puppy mills in an April show, raising awareness.
In conjunction with the new policy, the flea market will advise patrons to visit the Humane Society, area shelters or rescue groups for pets.
Not all vendors are puppy mill owners, said Donna Facemire, who with her husband, Bud Facemire, owns Wanna Puppy in Mansfield, Mo.
It was their first time at The Big One.
"I'm all for shutting down puppy mills, but I don't think reputable breeders ought to be subject to the same bad publicity," Facemire said. "I don't think everybody ought to be punished for a few."
Tim Morris has sold puppies there for 12 years.
He and his partner, Jamie Sellers, operate Ponderosa Pups in Pontotoc, Miss., and sell 10-20 puppies a month in Memphis.
"This is an ungodly good business for us," said Morris, who resents the puppy mill implications. "If there's a problem with one of our babies, we'll take care of it."
Customer Tina Matthews of Memphis was upset as well. She and a friend have between them bought four dogs from Morris and another vendor. They've all been healthy.
"I don't understand it. I don't think it's fair. These puppies are clean, had their shots and have been wormed," Matthews said.
Regardless, Cindy Sanders, a volunteer at the Memphis Animal Shelter, has for months been pushing the flea market owners to end puppy sales.
Sanders said she was shocked at the number of vendors. She has seen puppies under a tent at the flea market during a cold rain, puppies that looked sick and others that were too young to be weaned.
"I think this is a positive for the flea market," Sanders said.
No more puppies or kittens will be sold at the Memphis Flea Market, The Big One.
Vendors were told last weekend about the new policy, which is already in place at other flea markets operated by Buffalo, N.Y.-based American Park & Swap. Birds and other small animals still will be sold.
On Saturday, about a dozen vendors were given a written notice from general manager Sandy Hembree.
Hembree referred questions to owners American Park & Swap, where officials declined comment, referring to the written notice as their official statement.
It said the new policy is based on media reports and discussions with animal welfare groups regarding the "alleged" improper care of animals outside of the flea market.
There have been no concerns raised about how flea market vendors care for animals, but the company believes "closer regulation of cat and dog vendors at the flea market would have now been required in light of the off-site concerns."
Earlier this year an alleged puppy mill was raided in North Shelby County. Also, The Oprah Winfrey Show featured puppy mills in an April show, raising awareness.
In conjunction with the new policy, the flea market will advise patrons to visit the Humane Society, area shelters or rescue groups for pets.
Not all vendors are puppy mill owners, said Donna Facemire, who with her husband, Bud Facemire, owns Wanna Puppy in Mansfield, Mo.
It was their first time at The Big One.
"I'm all for shutting down puppy mills, but I don't think reputable breeders ought to be subject to the same bad publicity," Facemire said. "I don't think everybody ought to be punished for a few."
Tim Morris has sold puppies there for 12 years.
He and his partner, Jamie Sellers, operate Ponderosa Pups in Pontotoc, Miss., and sell 10-20 puppies a month in Memphis.
"This is an ungodly good business for us," said Morris, who resents the puppy mill implications. "If there's a problem with one of our babies, we'll take care of it."
Customer Tina Matthews of Memphis was upset as well. She and a friend have between them bought four dogs from Morris and another vendor. They've all been healthy.
"I don't understand it. I don't think it's fair. These puppies are clean, had their shots and have been wormed," Matthews said.
Regardless, Cindy Sanders, a volunteer at the Memphis Animal Shelter, has for months been pushing the flea market owners to end puppy sales.
Sanders said she was shocked at the number of vendors. She has seen puppies under a tent at the flea market during a cold rain, puppies that looked sick and others that were too young to be weaned.
"I think this is a positive for the flea market," Sanders said.
