Purrfectplay

Made in China

Dogs and Cats Are Skinned Alive in China for Fur
Originally uploaded by Thomas Hawk

I recently ordered a dog duvet for Rosa. The San Francisco based company has a lovely video showing the owner's 3 dogs, her need for clean bedding and how a duvet cover worked wonders. The company gets rave reviews from various media sources.

The thought never crossed my mind that the bedding could be made in China. I was totally surprised and disappointed when I opened my package and found "Made in China" labels on every single item.

I just don't get it! Labor is expensive in the US ( we know this full well) but.. Purrfectplay is able to manufacture here and we are totally not rocket scientists. Besides, China isn't the only market if you think US labor is too expensive. Why would anyone say they care about dogs and cats and then indirectly support the hideous socially supported torture and killing of thousands of dogs and cats per DAY in China? It can't just be the bottom line.

Rationalizing can work as a strategy. Statements like: eating dog is cultural; when people are poor they do rotten stuff just to stay alive; and my favorite, what can we do anyway? -- these are just rationalizations. If buying from China were not so cheap this type of reasoning would evaporate and the truth would be easier to see (and say).  So maybe it is the bottom line.

Pet companions are fed up with all the toxic products coming out of China. Many of us read labels and go out of our way to avoid Chinese made. We have learned  the karmic price in buying cheap products for our beloved pets from a country where millions of dogs and cats per year are tortured. China doesn't care about dogs and cats, no matter where they live.  It seems deeply ironic that companies dependent on the love of pet companions to buy their premium products would ignore the dark reality for dogs and cats in China.

What do you think?

How much is too much?

I am sure many of us are up against how "much is too much" when it comes to the environment and the politics of living in a community.  For example I have friends who own a pretty darn wonderful gift shop.  I try not to buy from China for many reasons--environmental, human rights, animal rights.  They carry a number of things made in China.  When I go to visit and buy for friends and family it is sometimes awkward.  Yes, I like certain products-- but, No, I don't think I can buy them.  Do I say why?  Do I use the no thank you moment to educate?   Is it enough just simply not to buy?

 Do we tell Petco and large department store operations we won't buy from China for our pets?  Would I say the same thing to my friend who owns the local pet products store? He carries great food and not so great pet toys from China. He says this is because no one will pay for US made products. I know he, as a small business owner, is also struggling to make a reasonable profit and stay open. But... If I buy chinese made stuff from him how is that different from buying it from Petco?  Is it true that people will not buy products that are made in the US and cost a bit more?  If we don't make them available how can our customers buy them? 

I know I am prejudiced. Purrfectplay makes our products in the US with fair wage labor and we do well. We are a stubborn quirky bunch so maybe this helps.