Dear Sir,

While we understand and support the notion that editorials should express an opinion, it was always our understanding that the opinion should be based on fact, and not gross generalisation, speculation and innuendo.

Unfortunately, today’s editorial (July 14) on our business did just that. It is more galling to find that our efforts as Pic a Pet’s owners to co-operate with your newspaper and to provide actual facts have been totally ignored in favour of a predetermined agenda.

This contrasts with Sarah Lagan’s article in Saturday’s newspaper, which was reasonably fair.

Nonetheless, we must set out the following facts on behalf of our staff and loyal customers, who know the real story behind Pic a Pet.

1, We do not buy from puppy mills and, contrary to your unfounded and incorrect assumption that “it’s likely only a matter of time before puppies bred from chronically ill or genetically flawed dogs, puppies that will grow up to have severe behavioural and health problems, are introduced to the local pet population”, we never will. We will stop selling puppies first.

2, The presumption that “a sure-fire method of causing long-term behavioural problems” is to raise and kennel dogs “in the cramped conditions of a retail store” is also inaccurate.

It assumes that the dogs are there for weeks or months, which is not the case at Pic a Pet, where they are rarely in the store for more than one week. And it is certainly not the case that our puppies are kept in cramped conditions. In fact, as we said in a letter to you in 2014, our puppies are housed in specially designed playpens, not cages, where they can romp and play.

The room in which they are housed is temperature-controlled so there is no risk of overheating. Water bowls are checked every two hours. The puppies are walked by our staff and get to play with visiting shoppers and prospective buyers. We’re fortunate, too, that our loyal customers love the puppies so much that few stay in the store for more than a couple of days before finding a home.

3, The idea that our puppies are bought on impulse is also wrong. In fact, by having the puppies on site, our customers are able to spend time with them and get to know them before buying. This is not the case when puppies are bought sight unseen from abroad. Impulse buying, where a new customer sees a puppy in the window and walks out with it minutes later is almost unheard of.

4, As for the laws governing the care of animals, this is a matter for the Government and we would welcome contributing to an update of the laws.

What is true is that we worked with the government vet from the time we renovated our store to ensure we met and surpassed all requirements, as was confirmed in your story on Saturday.

5, Finally, you state that “most dogs and cats in many jurisdictions are now purchased from recognised breeders, animal shelters and veterinary practices that rehome pets”. There are inherent risks with purchasing animals from “recognised breeders” in overseas countries which may be greater than buying a puppy who has actually been seen and can be brought to a vet in Bermuda.

At least those who buy our puppies know where to find us if they are unhappy with the puppies they have bought.

6, Further, have you been to the SPCA’s kennels or seen the kennels at most vets’ offices?

While the staff of these facilities are caring and loving people, locking an animal up in a concrete box with a barred door for hours, days or weeks at a time cannot be good for any animal’s psyche compared with the much more humane conditions at Pic a Pet.

Mr Editor, we are well aware that not everyone agrees or likes the practice of selling puppies in pet stores, and they are entitled to their opinions. What is not acceptable is the wilful repetition of innuendo and half-truths that have no basis in fact. Bermuda deserves better and so do we.

BRYAN AND KYLE PARKIN

Pic a Pet