The Littlest Pet Shop-Sending the Wrong Message?

I’ve seen these toys for several years now and always think they are so cute.  I love that there are so many different dog breed figurines available.  But something has always rubbed me wrong about this brand…it’s name.  My life’s mission is to educate people on how to get and own a dog responsibly.  This includes exposing the pet store/puppy mill industry and their horrific treatment of dogs.  I know it’s tempting to go into these pet shops.  All the adorable little puppies in various breeds are right there and easy to buy, but the reality of the situation is much more bleak.

This is why the name “littlest pet shop” really bothers me.  I know that kids just see these toys and think “cute animals”, but the idea that “cute animals” come from pet shops is a message that I don’t want to be passed on.  I really think that they could still sell the toys-but change the name.  Or-even better-change the name AND donate a portion of the proceeds to animal charities.  I’m shocked at how many people don’t realize what happens in the dog industry, so we need more education and exposure, not more glorification of pet stores.

Julia Kamysz Lane from Bark Magazine’s blog wrote about this almost two years ago and I want to include her commentary on the brand:

Littlest Pet Shop Glosses Over Harsh Reality

“My three-year-old niece is enamored with the Littlest Pet Shop line of toys. As I struggled to open her latest collection of admittedly adorable creatures, it was all I could do not to throw them in the trash and lecture on the horrors of puppy mills and corporate greed. On its Web site, toy maker Hasbro infers that the Littlest Pet Shop promotes responsibility by allowing children to collect a variety of animals without the um … responsibility of caring for live pets. Nice marketing spin but I’m literally not buying it. And it pains me to see kids play with a product that only shows one side of the commercial pet industry.

Perhaps Hasbro could add some new locales to its collection for a more well-rounded perspective. How about the Littlest Pet Shelter, where many pet shop puppies eventually end up due to the health and behavior problems that result from poor breeding, malnutrition and lack of socialization? Or the Littlest Commercial Breeder, where purebred dogs are kept in cages and forced to reproduce as often and as long as they are able. Once the breeding pairs no longer prove useful, they can go to the Littlest Pet Auction, available to the highest bidder.

It’s possible to teach children how to take proper care of animals without promoting or glorifying pet shops. Many therapy dog groups, such as Therapy Dogs International (of which I’m a member) and Delta Society offer children an opportunity to interact with a healthy, friendly dog and learn about his needs. Some libraries and schools smartly encourage kids to read aloud to therapy dogs, as a way to improve their reading skills without fear of judgment. Or you could always give them an old-fashioned stuffed animal to hug, pet and feed.”

Julia Kamysz Lane

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So while these little animal figurines are cute, I will not be purchasing any for my future children or for anyone else’s child.  Come on Hasbro-you can still sell adorable kids toys, just choose to send a responsible message.