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Posh Puppy in Scottsdale Agrees to Stop Selling Puppies

January 23, 2009, 10:52AM MT

By Jennifer S Hayes

New store owner partners with Maricopa Animal Care and Control to offer adoptions

New store owner partners with Maricopa Animal Care and Control to offer adoptions

By Cheri Moon

Usually, when a new owner takes over a store, there are changes in procedures and policies. Rarely do those changes amount to saving lives. But the innovative policies implemented by Kim Sobotka, new owner of Posh Puppy in Scottsdale, AZ, will do just that.

Sobotka took ownership of Posh Puppy in July 2008 — a pet retail store, day care, grooming and boarding facility with a long history of selling puppies. But under Sobotka's regime, the days of selling dogs are numbered and a new day of adoption has begun.

Says Sobotka, "It's just the right thing to do."

Peaceful Protests Make A Difference
No one is prouder of Sobotka's decision than Jan McClellan. McClellan began peacefully protesting outside Posh Puppy in early May 2008. Inspired by Oprah's exposé on puppy mills and the then-recent closing of Posh Puppy in Beverly Hills (no connection to the Scottsdale store) — McClellan decided to make a difference in her own community.

She says, "It was the weekend before Mother's Day that we began our campaign to educate the public about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills. So the theme of our protest was "puppy mill moms never have a nice Mother's Day."

McClellan and fellow protesters returned each weekend thereafter for six months. Dedicated volunteers in groups as few as two at a time shared their message in rain, shine and at times 110 degrees, but most importantly, throughout the transition from one store owner to the next.

Anything But Business As Usual
McClellan explains that they were protesting as part of a U.S./Canadian event, National Puppy Mill Awareness Day, when two of Sobotka assistants came out to speak to them. Says McClellan, "They said they agreed with us and would like to start showcasing homeless dogs from shelters and to cease using their current source of pups."

Fellow protesters Erin Maupin, Susan Mazey and Julie Niccolazzi went to work connecting Sobotka with Linda Soto, division manager for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC).

Says Soto, "One day my phone rang and this woman I didn't know started talking about a possible adoption agreement with Posh Puppy."

A handful of meetings and a few months later, the details have been worked out and Posh Puppy will begin offering adoptable dogs this Saturday, January 24.

Setting New Standards
Says Soto, "We are so thrilled to be working with Posh Puppy! She (Sobotka) is setting new standards and building a model that pet stores everywhere can follow. I will do anything I can to support her and that store."

Posh Puppy has a handful of puppies left over from its previous source. As soon as those puppies find homes, the store will offer adoptable-only dogs seven days a week.*

Says store owner Sobotka, "I've met so many nice and incredible people through this process. Together we can make this work and help each other conserve resources." She adds, "There's always a way to work things out. You just need to try."

Posh Puppy is offering a complimentary day of doggie day care and a free hour with a trainer to anyone who adopts a puppy from the store.

* The Posh Puppy website will soon be updated with their rescue plans and new adoption policies.

How You Can Make A Difference:

• Download an Action Kit that includes peaceful protest tips, signs and information to make a difference in your community.

• Stay informed with the latest updates on puppy mills, breeders and important information about the pet trade.

• Join your local Network to get news from your area and join in peaceful protests.

• If you live in Scottsdale or surrounding areas, contact Posh Puppy to let them know you support their decision and help by shopping at the store.
Posh Puppy
15060 N. Northsight Blvd.
Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: (480) 991-9827

Photo by Clay Myers: Best Friends Animal Society

Comments

Posted January 23, 2009, 10:36PM by aggie77

This is great news. Now any of you in and around Newport, California should gather support to stop Russo's Pet Experience from selling puppies and kittens. They are in the Fashion Island outdoor mall complex. We came across them in October; many of the puppies I saw looked ill. All puppies and kittens were in cramped quarters. All were very overpriced ($2,000 was not uncommon) and most likely from puppy mills.

I have submitted a formal complaint to the management company and received a stock reply. If any of you in that area want to take action, I will supply you with the names and numbers of the management office.

Posted January 24, 2009, 3:25PM by mdemaert

This is awesome. I live in Mesa, AZ just south of Scottsdale and will make the trip to Posh Puppy because of this! Thank you Kim for your support of rescue!

Posted January 27, 2009, 10:3AM by lovebug123

Kim I think you rock. U r doing something so wonderful and I am so proud of you. Congrates hun love ya girl

Posted February 01, 2009, 1:57PM by ruthy92

Sadiesue, this is a fantastic idea.

"Just as "Dogs Deserve Better" sends Valentines to homes of chained dogs trying to educate the owners, it would be great if we could use Mothers Day to send out messages about the Mama dogs suffering in Puppy Mills. I think that would be such a great platform!!! "

Posted January 28, 2009, 7:1PM by dogtreat

This is fantastic! I live in Scottsdale I will stop by and tell them how pleased I am.
I also plan on attending the rally outside Pets Landing in Scottsdale this Saturday and for the next three Saturdays, perhaps they to will change their mind and deside to get their puppies from County too!

Posted January 23, 2009, 2:40PM by cambridgeratmom

I live in Massachusetts and I just called the store and thanked them for making a difference. One store at a time and the puppy mills will have to rethink their "business plan."

Posted January 23, 2009, 1:13PM by ruthy92

Ms Sobotka is a true leader in the pet industry, and a step into a better future

Posted January 23, 2009, 1:53PM by kellio

Congratulations to everyone involved for your hard work to get this store turned around!

If you live in Scottsdale, be sure to stop in and 1.) thank Posh Puppy for setting a new standard, and 2.) Pick up something for your pet--we should all be supporting humane pet stores!

Posted January 23, 2009, 10:37PM by macy

congrats to all the awesome hard work you all do.
I live in Mesa and followed the protest thru email and when i just read that they stopped selling puppies it gave me hope that we can make a difference thank you.

Posted January 23, 2009, 3:30PM by sadiesue

Just as "Dogs Deserve Better" sends Valentines to homes of chained dogs trying to educate the owners, it would be great if we could use Mothers Day to send out messages about the Mama dogs suffering in Puppy Mills. I think that would be such a great platform!!!

Posted January 24, 2009, 10:10PM by plimley

Not only do they have it so County's dogs will be adopted out of there, but there are some plans to do other adoption days with additional rescue groups!

Posted January 24, 2009, 6:38PM by magbug

Great story Cheri! Thanks for telling it in such a thoughtful way!

Posted January 25, 2009, 12:30AM by watsonsmom1

Oh that this new owner can be successful and buy all of the stores in operation!! It's so ridiculous that they keep selling these mill dogs when millions of little cute dogs are in shelters!! It makes me crazy, we need to liberate all of those poor mill doggies! ASAP

Posted January 23, 2009, 2:26PM by bicycleboy

The road ahead is both long and daunting ,yet, I can sense the change. This "new model" for pet stores that sell animals is brilliant in its simplicity.
I applaud all those whose spoke for those that cannot speak, who endured days of hardship for those whos life is nothing but hardship. I am a dog rescuer who looks forward to the day when I am no longer needed. God bless all...

Posted January 23, 2009, 6:38PM by lucysmom

That's fantastic news! I live in Scottsdale, and for some reason the local media hasn't reported this, which is surprising since there were several reports about the protests. I will definitely stop by this weekend to tell them how happy I am about their decision and buy a few things.

Posted January 24, 2009, 11:50AM by Kittycrazy

This is fantastic news! Thank you so much to new owner Kim.

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