Local non-profit at the center of a big Super Bowl ad controversy
The controversial Go Daddy ad that has animal rights activist up in arms has been pulled from the Super Bowl’s line-up. It all started when the SPCA for Monterey County reached out to the company’s CEO, Blake Irving through social media. That same day Irving responded back to the SPCA vowing the ad will no longer be aired.
The early release of the 30-second Super Bowl ad online shows a golden retriever puppy falling off of a pickup truck. After braving the hazardous weather, he finally finds his way home – only to find his owner has sold him online through a website setup by Go Daddy. But animal rights activists feel it’s making light of a serious issue.
April King with the SPCA for Monterey County said, “They are many websites out there where you can just go online and literally get a puppy be shipped to you next day. And unfortunately those websites aren’t supporting very humane breeding practices.”
On Tuesday, after viewing the commercial the SPCA took action. Sending a message to the CEO via Twitter, it reads, “If you can buy a puppy online and have it shipped to you the next day, it’s likely you’re supporting inhumane breeding.”
Then Irving quickly responded, thanking the SPCA for its feedback posting, “What should have been a fun and funny ad clearly missed the mark and will not air it.”
King said, “When all of the staff finally watched the ad I think there was definitely a collective jaw dropping moment where we were a little taken aback by how harsh the commercial seemed.”
Many other animal rights groups joined in on the fight. A Change.org petition started circulating with over 40,000 signatures. In the end, the SPCA for Monterey County said they are happy to hear Go Daddy sacked the ad.
