#TURNOFFTHETAP CAMPAIGN
Working together to end the sale of all animals in pet shops
EDUCATE
If you go into a pet shop selling animals, PLEASE DON’T BUY ANYTHING. Have a look around to see what kinds of animals are for sale, and what the conditions are. Point out anything that can be rectified immediately like empty water bowls, a cage baking in the sun, dirty conditions, animals hurt, sick or in distress. Check that this gets sorted out. Discreetly take photos as evidence just in case this is needed at a later stage.
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ENGAGE
Ask the pet shop owner nicely to reconsider the sale of all animals. Explain that there is an animal overpopulation crisis and that the shelters are overflowing with unwanted pets. You can do this in person, via e-mail, WhatsApp or on their social media pages. Tell them that you will not be buying anything from them until they no longer sell animals.
Link to sample letter here.
ESCALATE
If they ignore you repeatedly or get abusive, feel free to shame them publicly. Post bad reviews on their social media pages, and shame them for being irresponsible and greedy. Keep to the facts and don’t get yourself in trouble for slander. Report them to the SPCA immediately if they are in breach of the SPCA’s regulations. (see number 13)
BOYCOTT
Start a campaign to get other people to boycott the shop as well. Post the information on your social media pages, asking your friends to share it far and wide. Just the fact that they sell animals when there are so many animals desperately waiting for a home is enough grounds for a boycott. Don’t go into the conditions of animals in the shop if you don’t want to be sued by an angry shop owner. Just stick to the facts. If they sell animals, they are a target for a boycott.
LOBBY
Engage with the local and national government on this issue and demand that the laws be changed to include a ban on the sale of ALL animals in pet shops. Pet shops can no longer sell puppies and kittens. Why is the life of bunny or a rat less important than that of a cat or a dog?
