American Girl Place Gives Girls the Experience of Animal Exploitation

Earlier this week, as brutal temperatures brought heat advisories and the opening of cooling centers across New York City, carriage horses were trotted out to 5th Avenue. As temperatures soared toward 90 degrees, with a heat index at a reported 109 degrees by 10:30 a.m., the carriages were lined up in front of the 5th Avenue location of American Girl Place. The store needed a special permit for this, since the horses aren't normally allowed in such a high-traffic area.

But safety regulations and deadly heat wouldn't get in the way of the American Girl Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride experience. Because what "celebrates girls and all they can be" more than exploiting animals for trite (yet pricey) entertainment?

American Girl says their passion is "for who girls are today and who they can become tomorrow." Yet horse-drawn carriages are strictly a thing of the past. Even the industry banks on a trumped up sense of nostalgia to sell rides. The girls of today and tomorrow are more sensitive and compassionate than American Girl Place is giving them credit for.

“By hosting these disgraceful carriage rides, American Girl Place is supporting an abusive industry that many New Yorkers, politicians, veterinarians and animals organizations strongly oppose and are working towards banning in New York City," said Edita Birnkrant, NY Director of Friends of Animals. A bill currently in the New York State Senate would put an end to this outdated, dangerous industry.

The city is no place for a horse. This was once again proven last week when a frightened horse ran out of control along 57th Street, from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue, stopping only when crashing into a parked car. There are no reports of serious injuries, but that's not always the case ... for humans or horses.

Carriage horses are forced to work long hours in all weather, enduring the stress of traffic and the damaging effects of pollution and walking on pavement. The resulting health problems often cut their careers short and there's nothing to guarantee that they'll get a humane retirement instead of being auctioned off to a kill buyer.

Is the treatment of animals we want to teach our girls?

Edita Birnkrant met with Judy Herbst, Senior Manager of Marketing for American Girl Place, at the store in an attempt to stop the carriage ride event. Ms Herbst avoided taking responsibility, playing the card that American Girl Place doesn't take a political stance on the issue and horse-drawn carriages are legal. For now. But I would think the girls of tomorrow would want to be the ones holding the reins when it comes to ending inhumane practices. That's ethics, not politics.

“Holding a carriage ride event during a dangerous heat wave, forcing horses to suffer in these extreme conditions is especially outrageous," said Birnkrant. "Friends of Animals is demanding that American Girl Place cancels the three upcoming carriage rides this summer."

The horses will be trotted out again to American Girl Place on July 28th, August 4th and August 18th. Unless Ms. Herbst and American Girl Place chose to do the right thing.

Here's how you can help: Sign and share the petition to send a message that you oppose American Girl Place's support of the horse-drawn carriage industry. Follow that up with a call to Ms. Herbst at (212) 401-6569 and the store at (212) 371-2220. (Remember to keep your messages polite.)

Friends of Animals is also planning a protest in front of the 5th Avenue store during the next carriage ride event on July 28th, from 9:15 am - 10:30 am, unless the event is cancelled.

Photo credit: 85mm.ch