I grew up with a boxer named Zack, who my family adopted from our local shelter. We loved him dearly. He was a happy guy with a tail that never stopped wagging and a mouth that never stopped drooling. I remember running home from school every day to play with him.
But one day he didn’t want to play anymore. All he wanted was to lie on the couch. He was still trying to wag his tail, but I could tell something was wrong.
When he was just four years old, Zack was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer common in his breed. My parents would have done anything to save him; my mother said she would even sell our house to raise money for treatments if necessary. It never got to that point, because we realized that it was a good choice to spare him pain and suffering through peaceful euthanasia.
As we celebrate Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November, I want everyone to be aware that “purebreds” are at increased risk of developing cancer and other serious diseases. The greedy breeding industry and the people who prop it up by purchasing purebred animals rob these animals of their health, and often their lives.
Breeding practices cause purebred animals to suffer from a host of health problems. Inbreeding – a tactic breeders routinely use to pass on certain traits – also passes on disease-causing genes. That’s why hip dysplasia, heart disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, glaucoma, deafness and blindness, among other conditions, are more common in purebreds.
Breeds with respiratory distress (BIB), such as bulldogs and pugs, are deliberately bred with grotesquely flattened faces and squashed noses that make breathing difficult. Their narrow nostrils and long soft palates can also block airflow. Because of these anatomical abnormalities, BIB dogs suffer from chronic breathing problems, panting and gagging during exercise and at rest. Some overheat, collapse and even die because of their condition. Is a flat face really worth so much suffering?
People breed dachshunds and corgis to have unnaturally long spines. This deformity can cause excruciatingly painful disc disease or other debilitating back problems that can lead to serious spinal damage and permanent paralysis. Joint problems, arthritis, diabetes and skin problems are common in these long-backed, short-legged dogs. Many other breeds suffer from similar problems, all because people think they need a dog to look a certain way.
For many purebreds, life is a constant battle against genetic flaws that could have been prevented. And inbreeding weakens the immune system, making these dogs more vulnerable to infections and autoimmune diseases.
Breeding animals for their appearance is detrimental to their health and the bank accounts of their guardians. Veterinary care is expensive and the US faces a troubling shortage of veterinarians, making access to care more difficult. Routine costs – such as vaccinations, food and care – can easily add up to thousands of dollars per year. Cancer treatments or surgeries for genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia can make these costs even higher.
Millions of dogs and cats are homeless in the US. Shelters are overflowing, and animals that never make it to a shelter die on the streets in abandoned buildings and in alleys. Breeders are exacerbating this crisis because every animal they sell means one less potential home for a homeless animal.
There is no legitimate reason or excuse for supporting an industry that condemns dogs to a lifetime of suffering and steals homes from animals who desperately need them. Shelters are full of animals, including purebreds, that need responsible homes. There are also thousands of dogs in foster homes across the country. Petfinder.com is a great resource for finding your perfect pet companion.
Before you welcome an animal into your family, consider whether your lifestyle and finances are suitable for providing the care and attention they deserve. And when you’re ready, please adopt – never shop.
Zack may be gone, but his memory lives on in everything I do to spread the message about animals like him.
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