Protesters Link Breeding to Animal Homelessness and High Euthanasia Rates for Dogs in Shelters
For
Immediate Release:
February
14, 2012
Contact:
Adam
Miller 202-483-7382
New York -- Two members of PETA walked onto the show floor tonight at the Westminster dog show at Madison Square Garden. They surprised dog show participants and spectators during the tense moments of the final phase of judging with the goal of bringing the plight of homeless dogs to the public and to the perpetrators of dog and cat overpopulation.
One PETA member held a sign reading, "Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs' Chances," referring to the fact that when people buy purebred dogs from pet shops or breeders, they leave animals in shelters waiting for a home. The second supporter carried a sign reading, "Have a Heart: Adopt, Don't Buy." Both were escorted out of the building by security guards.
"The AKC's glorification of purebred dogs shows a callous disregard for the millions of loving and healthy dogs in animal shelters whose lives depend on being given a second chance," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "With so many 'mutts' literally dying for a good home, it's irresponsible and shameful to promote breeding or buying the 'perfect' purebred puppy."
Animal shelters receive as many as 8 million animals per year, and about half of them must be euthanized mostly because of a lack of suitable homes. People who buy dogs and cats from pet stores or breeders not only encourage further breeding but also impose an early death on homeless animals.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
