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As a freelance copywriter, you can make more by focusing on a single market, and I plan on making the pet market my focus. This means at some point I'll probably be asked to do projects for dog breeders and pet stores. Web pages, brochures, etc.
While I have nothing against professional breeders, I am morally opposed to puppy mills and the pet stores that support them, and backyard breeders with no plan in mind other than 'breed puppies, get money'. Given that I'm going to be looking for work over the internet and they may not be close by, what would be the best way to weed out these types of clients?
Just to clarify: there is NO SUCH THING as 'professional breeders.' There are responsible and ethical people who breed their dogs, after doing appropriate medical testing (ORF certification, etc.) who selectively breed their dog to IMPROVE THE BREED. Of course, not every litter results in every pup being a great specimen and, in turn, a dog that will contribute to improvement of the breed. These are the pups that go to pet homes.
Responsible people interview the potential new owners of their dogs as much as the potential new owners interview THEM. Responsible people DO NOT ship their dogs, sight unseen, to new owners. They are there, supporting the new owners, for the lifetime of their dogs. And they will take back a dog at any time, and for any reason.
I would disagree with you about shipping sight unseen. I think there ARE very responsible breeders who do this after extensively screening their applicants and following up on references.
The last time we stopped to look at puppies for sale on the side of the road, I asked the lady who was selling them if she had a website. She replied that...no, she wanted to be sure her puppies were sold to people she could see and talk to but I was thinking...why on earth are you selling dogs out of your vehicle on the side of the street??? My gut told me she was a puppy mill person...esp since she had three different breeds with several puppies each. If it's difficult to know for sure when the person is right there in front of you, how on earth can you know whom or whom not to do work for?
If you're going to do work for pet shops that sell puppies and kittens, even tho you morally object to the ones that sell for puppy mills, I think you're in for a heck of a ride. It's way too easy to fool people on the net and it sounds like you might be losing a lot of sleep over some things.
You COULD ask for references from past customers of the people who hire you...if you REALLY wanna keep it on the up and up but that could get messy and ...geeeeze....
I meant professional in the sense of acting like professionals, not in the sense of making money at it for a living.
Trust me, I'm fully aware of the differences between good breeders and bad ones.
And no, I do not want to work for pet stores that sell puppies and kittens.
Last edited by Hesster; 04-16-2009 at 08:56 PM..
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