"Beverly Hills Chihuahua," opening Oct. 3, may make moviegoers fall in love with the pint-size pooches and want one of their own. This concerns The Humane Society of the United States because, as history has shown, when a particular breed is featured in film or television, demand goes up and puppy mills are only too happy to breed more dogs to cash in on the craze.
The HSUS applauds Disney's online warning stating, "Owning a pet is a major responsibility. Dogs require daily care and constant attention. Before bringing a dog into your family, research the specific breed to make sure it is suitable for your particular situation. Learn about and be willing to undertake the serious responsibilities of dog care. Always consider adoption from a reputable shelter or rescue program." There is a similar message on screen at the end of the movie. However, The HSUS wants people to also be aware that by choosing to purchase a dog, they may be supporting puppy mills.
"This is especially relevant to Chihuahuas," explains Stephanie Shain, director of The HSUS' Stop Puppy Mills campaign. "We have seen cages of Chihuahuas living in despicable conditions during our recent puppy mill raids, including this summer in Tennessee. They are one of the most common breeds being churned out by mills due to their small size and the ease in which they can be bred in cramped cages. The tiny dogs are often sold through pet stores or over the Internet to unsuspecting buyers who believe they are dealing with a reputable breeder."
In a recent HSUS survey of Los Angeles area animal shelters — home of the film's lead canine and where the breed is popular — most shelters reported that Chihuahuas are one of the top five breeds that they receive. One shelter said they had received five Chihuahuas in less than 24 hours.
If you decide that a Chihuahua is right for you, The HSUS urges you to visit a shelter or breed rescue first, and to never purchase a dog from a pet store or the Internet where they likely came from a puppy mill. A responsible breeder will insist that you visit their home and see for yourself where the animal came from, so you can be sure your purchase is not supporting a mill. Puppy mill operators have become savvy at hiding the true scale of their operation and often pose as responsible home breeders. See for yourself if the parents of your puppy are living in a home environment or are confined to cages.
Potential pet parents should also remember that a movie dog characterization does not necessarily reflect the real breed's personality and needs. No breed, regardless of how wonderful they appear in the movies, is right for everyone.
For more information on adoption, finding the right dog for you, and to learn more about responsible breeders visit humanesociety.org/puppy. For more information about puppy mills, visit humanesociety.org/puppymills.
The Humane Society of the United States' Puppy Mill Action Week is November 16 to 23.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
