Petland CEO Responds to New Activist-Coordinated Ohio Lawsuits

CHILLICOTHE (June 19, 2024) – Petland has learned the radical Washington DC-based animal rights group, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has shared information regarding its coordination of two, new lawsuits filed against Petland in Ohio. The organization claims it is supporting and working alongside animal rights attorneys that have alleged to have filed these new claims. Petland has not been served in either of these alleged legal claims, and therefore cannot comment on the details of the claims referred to in the announcement.

“Based on information published by HSUS this week, Petland records show that each claim was made and satisfactorily resolved in 2021,” said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. “In each case, the health warranties provided with the new puppies were activated, and each pet owner was reimbursed in full for the costs associated with the pets’ care and treatment. Neither of the parties named in these alleged lawsuits has reached out to Petland with further concerns about the health of their pets in the three years since.”

The first paragraph of Petland’s New Puppy Warranty states, “Puppies are living things, and like people, they can become ill. Petland policies prohibit puppies with known illnesses from being sent home. If a puppy is diagnosed as ill, Petland will not send a puppy home until a licensed veterinarian has released the puppy to join its new forever home.” Petland’s New Puppy Health Warranty is available to eliminate unexpected veterinary costs in the rare instances when, like a human, a pet becomes sick and/or needs medical intervention.

Henry and Danielle Segura purchased their Yorkie Poo puppy on Oct. 29, 2021. During a veterinary visit on Nov. 4, 2021, it was discovered the puppy had an upper respiratory infection that progressed to pneumonia. The pet was successfully treated in the veterinary clinic, incurring a charge of $754.46. The Seguras provided Petland with the necessary invoices, and on Dec. 3, 2021, were reimbursed for the full amount charged by the veterinarian. Records show the Seguras have had no further Petland warranty-related claims or recorded concerns.

Katie and Jeremy Wheeling purchased their pet on Feb. 28, 2021. Wheeling contacted Petland on Mar. 9, 2021, to report the puppy had developed “cherry eye” a very common and correctable eye condition for the Mastiff breed. She was approved for surgery coverage up to $5,000, the price of the puppy. The eye was corrected, and it was discovered the puppy’s other eye had developed “cherry eye.” It too was corrected. The pet owner was instructed to submit invoices for the surgery cost, which took several months. In September 2021, the claim was submitted to Petland’s Solutions Center and on Sept. 30, 2021, the customer was reimbursed in the amount of $1,848.32 for the first surgery. Direct coverage was paid to her veterinarian in the amount of $2,060.68 for the cost of the second eye surgery. The claim was closed, and the customer has not been in contact with Petland since that time.

Watson added, “Clearly, HSUS is burdening Ohio’s busy legal system to generate publicity for its unwarranted, long-time attacks on Petland; and to draw the attention of state lawmakers to consider legislation proposed by the radical animal rights group. We saw this same PR tactic play out at the beginning of Ohio’s legislative session in January 2024 when HSUS-generated three lawsuits that focused on Ohio pet owners and their alleged pet experiences. Relative to those earlier cases, Petland, Inc. was removed as a defendant in two of those cases.”

Petland is a reputable, ethical business that for 57 years has been matching the right pet with the right individual or family. We make available pets with whom guests can touch, feel, and interact to determine if it is the healthy and well-adjusted pet that they desire – prior to purchase. Petland is grateful to its customers, and we do whatever we can to assure a good experience with their new pet.

To learn more about where Petland puppies come from, including its breeder requirements, visit petland.com/cares/.

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Petland, Inc. is a specialty pet retail franchise operation with over 300 locations in eight countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. U.S. operations are primarily family-owned and operated franchise stores, with 24 company-owned retail locations. For nearly 57 years, Petland pet counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.

Petland media contact:

Maria Smith
Director of Communications
740-775-2426
maria.smith@petlandinc.com