Animal rights groups target Waggles, a puppy boutique planned for North Raleigh
Animal rights activists have launched a petition against a Waggles pet store slated for Raleigh, calling it a “puppy mill” that would undermine adoption from shelters and contribute to inhumane commercial breeding.
The petition on change.org had gathered more than 900 signatures Tuesday on its way to a 1,000-person goal aimed at stopping the store from opening on Creedmoor Road.
“We need to stand together against animal exploitation, support our heroic shelters and rescues, and protect our community’s values,” read the petition, organized by Maddie Jones. “We urge the city of Raleigh to utilize all available legal and zoning measures to prevent Waggles from opening its doors.”
A self-described “puppy boutique” with more than a dozen breeds, Waggles already has franchises open in Greensboro and Charlotte, according to its website.
“Waggles believes every puppy/dog deserves a forever home regardless of its source,” wrote Chief Operating Officer Kerry Rod in an email Tuesday. “We think that proper oversight, standards, processes and procedures for sourcing and placing of pets is tantamount whether you choose your pet at a store or a shelter/rescue. Shelters are great, but don’t have the options many families are looking for.“
“We support families having a choice about their next pet,” he continued, “while a small group of confrontational “animal liberation” protesters want to take choices away from North Carolinians and close small businesses.”
A 2024 article in The Roanoke Times in Virginia quotes Rod saying the average puppy would cost $2,000. Its first store had opened in Port Charlotte at the time, Rod said, and another 20 were in development.
NC Animal Advocates United posted a Facebook reel laying out its objections:
A similar protest rose early this year when Petopia opened in downtown Raleigh, offering Aussiedoodle puppies for up to $6,000.
After 15,000 people signed a petition in opposition and opponents staged a protest, the store closed only a few weeks after opening.
“Petopia is closed forever,” said a note outside. “Congratulations.”
Wake County Animal Center seeks to find homes for thousands of animals and frequently runs into issues with space. Last summer, the center sent out a public notice that it had taken in 141 animals in three days and grew dangerously close to euthanizing for space, which would have broken an eight-year record.
Among its 635 animals at the time, it counted 159 dogs and 11 puppies.
The nonprofit Humane World for Animals defines puppy mills as high-volume breeding facilities that emphasize pets for profit over care for the mothers and litters, often selling to pet stores.
It estimates 10,000 are operating inside the United States.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM.