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Omni Shoreham's Inaugural Puppy Giveaway Cancelled

Where: 2500 Calvert St Nw [map], Washington, DC, United States, 20008

December 1, 2008 at 4:32 PM | 7 Comments

This puppy is not included in the Inaugural Package and that's a good thing.

Funny, the only bit we thought was worth the ridonkulous $440,000 Inaugural Package at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. was the part where you get a puppy of your choice.

However, according to the Washingtonian, many folks were pretty pissed about the puppy giveaway, even though the hotel's marketing director said he would work with local breeders and animal-rescue groups. Except that not even the Washington Animal Rescue League would partake in this package. The group sent a letter to the hotel that included the following:

Dogs are not commodities or possessions to be acquired—and perhaps later disposed of—at a whim. They are companions with whom we deliberately enter and build life-long relationships. We urge you, therefore, to rescind your offer of a puppy to your inaugural guests. Moreover, I believe you will find that those involved in the animal welfare community are of the same mind in this matter and would, given the opportunity, join me in voicing their reservations about your plan.

This letter and the 50 other angry calls the hotel's marketing director received have forced the hotel to rescind the puppy offer. Instead they will be donating some of the proceeds to the Washington Humane Society. Rejoice! The puppies are saved!