Betty White to Dog Show Viewers: Support Local Shelters

Betty White is one funny lady. But there is nothing funny about the number of dogs in shelters needing new homes. Which is why Betty has partnered up with The Pedigree Foundation to record her latest public service announcement, a reminder to support local shelters. What better time to premiere the PSA than during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

To be eligible for competition in the dog show, a dog breed must be recognized by American Kennel Club standards. In order to conform to these standards, dogs are bred for certain characteristics. Often this includes inbreeding. But genetics doesn’t operate in a vacuum. When a dog is bred for a curlier tail or longer legs, other traits can become amplified. This includes illness or deformities, risks that breeders know about and willingly take. After all, these dogs can be sold at a discount or euthanized without harming the pedigree lines.

Another dirty reality of the purebred dog industry is found in places like puppy mills. The high standards set by the AKC are a misnomer, as the AKC certifies puppies born by the thousands in puppy mills and sold at pet stores nationwide. Despite the public outcry against these conditions that led to new regulations in states like Missouri and Oklahoma, puppy mills (with the support of AKC) are working hard to overturn the legislation so that business can continue as usual.

I’ll admit I used to watch dog shows back in the day. As someone studying dog behavior, I thought of it as a good way to hone my breed identification skills. But knowing more about AKC and having experience with shelter dogs, I now have a hard time enjoying the show.

Don’t get me wrong, these shows have the potential to educate people to the good qualities of breeds that have negative reputations. But the glitz and glamour surrounding purebred dogs taking place inside Madison Square Garden isn't the reality experienced by dogs suffering in AKC-sanctioned puppy mills or the millions of homeless pets languishing in shelters.

Many advocates blame the purebred pet trade, at least in part, for the number of homeless animals in the country. As many as 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebred. Not to mention the number of rescue groups available for specific breeds.

If you missed Betty White's PSA, here’s the take home message: More than 4 million dogs enter shelters and breed rescues annually. That translates to around 5,000 needing homes every day.

Betty White's PSA to support shelters isn't quite as hard-hitting as the commercial PETA wanted to air during the dog show with the message, "If you buy a dog, what will you do with the shelter dog you kill?" But at least it exposes viewers to the plight of animals in shelters.

Until every pet finds a home, adopting from a shelter is the way to go. In the meantime, AKC should work to clean up their act — they need to stop supporting puppy mills and start supporting healthy dogs, so that their registration papers can once again be a symbol of responsible breeding.

The Pedigree Foundation envisions a day when all shelter dogs find homes and is working toward that goal with programs like their annual Pedigree Adoption Drive. One particular commercial sums it up nicely: “Shelter dogs aren’t broken. They’ve simply experienced more life. . . Do not pity a shelter dog, adopt one.”

Photo Credit: Pedigree Foundation