While I'm not thrilled that HSUS was able to contact F&S customers even in this manner, I am satisfied with Dr Foster and Dr. Smith's explanation, apology, and assurances.
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A Statement from Dr. Race Foster and Dr. Marty Smith
March 23, 2010
We want to thank you, our customers, for pointing out a concern about a
recent mailing you received from a particular organization. We want to
apologize for the situation and the concern that this has caused.
Additionally, as we said last week, we want to assure you that in no
case did that organization have a copy of our mailing list, nor do they
now.
“Regarding mailings, in the course of doing business catalog companies
and other direct marketers rent mailing lists or small portions of them.
These lists are never seen by the renting company, rather, to maintain
confidentiality, they are processed by independent data services and
then the names are submitted to printers for application onto catalogs
or other mailing pieces. Such is the case here. Although the list the
organization rented through a third party was less than 1% of our total
mailing list, I was unaware that they were renting any portion and will
be sure that this doesn’t happen again. Let me reassure you that they
don’t have a copy of our mailing list and never did as some have falsely
suggested. That’s not how these rentals function. Because of how they
do work with divided mailings, distance mailed and postal delay, a very
small number may trickle in over the next week or two. We apologize for
the concerns that have been created and have taken steps to assure this
doesn’t happen again.“
Dr. Race Foster
“I just want to reassure you, our customers, about who we are as a
company and who Race and I are as individuals. First we want to
apologize for the wording of the first statement from our company
regarding the mailing in question that gave the impression that an
advocacy group had our list of names. They didn’t. In our hurry to
reassure you we didn’t do a good enough job explaining the facts. Our
second statement attempted to clarify the facts but some understandably
read the two statements as contradictory rather than clarifying. We
apologize for that as well. The facts are also that we have always been
strongly supportive of ethical breeders and continue to be strongly
supportive today. Further, we are opposed to legislation that would
hinder ethical breeders from participating in their hobby or profession.
I am a breeder myself and just recently had a litter of 8 English
Setter puppies. Thanks for your loyalty and patience with the process.
And once again, we apologize for the confusion and the issue itself.”
Dr. Marty Smith
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Nicely done Docs! Back onto my link list you will go and I'll be back to do some shopping soon.
But folks, please be aware that many places do actually sell their lists to other parties rather than renting them through a service like this. Never hesitate to ask how people/companies will use information you provide to them!