PetSmart, the North American pet chain, has found itself at the center of controversy due to its LGBTQ merchandise and promotions for pets.
The company recently unveiled its ‘You Are Loved’ collection, featuring Pride-themed clothes, toys, and items for pet owners, just ahead of June’s Pride Month.
However, this move has sparked criticism from some social media users, with calls for a boycott echoing sentiments expressed towards other brands like Bud Light and Target.
One disgruntled user took to social media to express their discontent, stating, “From the ‘Pride Shop’ at PetSmart. ‘You are loved PRIDE Dog Dress and Bikini’. This is unacceptable. Please boycott.”
Another voiced concerns about their Catahoula dog’s reaction, saying, “You have got to be kidding. My Catahoula would turn on me.”
These sentiments were echoed by others who lamented the company’s decision and added PetSmart to their boycott list.
However, not all reactions have been negative, with some individuals highlighting that PetSmart has been promoting Pride merchandise for years.
PetSmart’s senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, Kristin Shane, expressed pride in the company’s efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community.
In a press release, Shane stated, “Our You Are Loved collection was initiated and inspired by our associate resource group team members to help pet parents and their pets celebrate the spirit of Pride and share our values of inclusion and unconditional love.”
PetSmart has been showing support for ‘Pride’ for the past four years and recently donated $200,000 to GLSEN, an LGBTQ advocacy group that promotes gender transitions in public schools without parental knowledge.
The backlash faced by PetSmart mirrors the recent controversy surrounding Target, which experienced a significant loss in market capitalization due to backlash over its Pride-themed merchandise.
Target shares dropped in value by over $10 billion within a span of 10 days following criticism of their LGBTQ-focused clothing campaign, featuring “tuck-friendly” bathing suits and pro-trans T-shirts for kids.
Target’s support for LGBTQ rights dates back to 2014 when the company publicly endorsed marriage equality.
They also made changes such as eliminating gender-based divisions for certain products and introducing a gender-neutral line for children.
In 2016, amid discussions about bathroom access, Target announced that transgender individuals were welcome to use the restroom of their choice.
The controversy surrounding both PetSmart and Target’s Pride ranges coincides with Bud Light’s decision to collaborate with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney and her partnership with Nike, further fueling ongoing discussions around LGBTQ representation and inclusivity.
