 
Spot-light on "In-danger" Dalmatians
To hear Bob Barker's living-saving message click here: 
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Will thousands of innocent spotted pets
be killed because of a movie? It seems Disney's Cruella DeVille isn't
the only villain threatening the lives of innocent Dalmatians.
Many years of popular animated cartoons
and the recent live-action movie have caused many parents to take their
children directly from the movie theater to the closest pet store to
purchase one of these adorable puppies of their own. The problem?
Dalmatians are a wonderful breed, but they're not for everyone. In many
cases, these dogs are dumped at shelters across the country once that
"cute puppy stage" passes. Many are subsequently euthanized.
Due to the popularity of these movies, greedy humans are over-breeding
and in-breeding these poor animals until nearly 10% are born deaf. And
many uneducated people are choosing to take home a Dalmatian puppy
without understanding - or accepting - the responsibility.
Las Vegas has hundreds of Dalmatian tales
of its own. Last year, a very pregnant "Annabelle" was just
one day away from being "put to sleep" in the County shelter
when she was rescued by Media Partners for Pets' President &
Founder, Ann Herrington, who also does Las Vegas Dalmatian Rescue.
Eleven healthy, beautiful pups were born the very day Annabelle was
scheduled to be euthanized. This rescue was just one of many for Ann
since Media Partners for Pets was founded in 1997, when she rescued her
blue-eyed deaf Dalmatian "Harley" from Dewey Animal Shelter.
Since then, Ann and Harley have saved many Dalmatians from euthanasia in
shelters, and have set out to help educate the public about this
misunderstood breed.
Ann is currently fostering a 4-month-old
un-neutered deaf Dalmatian who was about to be euthanized by a local pet
shop, when a couple who recently purchased him returned him, stating
that he was "deaf and retarded." Says Ann, "He is deaf,
but the retardation is on the side of the uninformed couple and the pet
shop." (In less than a month, Ann and her trainer, Cheri' Ireland
have trained the pup who is very smart, using actual American Sign
Language taught to Ann by her "deaf" niece who herself has
suffered prejudice because of her deafness. Ann explains that many shops
perpetuate the over-population of animals by supporting unscrupulous
"puppy mills" which keep animals in deplorable conditions to
breed them over and over again for resale, until they are no longer of
use. Her voice cracks with emotion as she goes on, "Many of them
die by a bullet to the head."
"We must educate ourselves and our
children to respect life and not make hasty, uniformed decisions that
ultimately end up in the death of a helpless animal," Ann
continues. "And it's about to get worse…"
The latest live-action sequel, "102
Dalmatians," is due to be released Thanksgiving of this year. Ann
and Harley are on a mission: to educate people nationally about what is
happening to this breed, and to try and save many from being purchased
after the movie's release, only to be abandoned and killed when the
novelty wears off.
It's a mission with many milestones. May
14, 2000 was Media Partners for Pets most recent big Adopt-a-thon in Las
Vegas. It facilitated the adoption of approximately 110 more shelter
dogs and cats. It was a very special Mother's Day celebration for a very
special Dalmatian Mom named Annabelle and her 11 beautiful pups, who
celebrated their 1st Birthday. This Mother's Day reunion was the first
for the "family" since the pups were adopted to loving homes
at the age of 8 weeks. In addition to Harley and Annabelle and her pups,
other shelter Dals rescued by Ann and Harley last year were invited to
support Dalmatians across the country. More than 1,500 cats and dogs of
all breeds have been adopted through these Media Partners for Pets
events in the past three years. Clark County recently bestowed a
Proclamation on the group for helping to increase adoptions in the Clark
County Shelter by 49%.
At May's event, the group had an added
task on their hearts: asking humans not to breed and buy Dalmatians when
the new movie comes out. It is their hope that people will instead make
well-informed decisions about acquiring one of these wonderful pets, and
then adopt one from a shelter if they find it fits into their family and
lifestyle. Rather than buying real Dalmatians on mere impulse, Ann would
like to see movie fans purchase stuffed Dalmatians for their children.
Ann and Harley will be making the
"circuit" on television, radio, newspapers and magazines this
year to raise the public's awareness about the endangerment of the
Dalmatian breed. Ann has contacted and is currently working with the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and both have contacted
Disney Pictures, to ask for their support in joining the national cause
for education about the breed by putting a disclaimer on the movie and
other things including a national press conference to make people aware
of this situation and ask them not to perpetuate the problem by
purchasing a Dalmatian "on impulse" after seeing the movie.
Ann would also like to see Disney hand out stuffed toys at movie
premiers across the country with information about the plight of these
pets. In addition, Ann pursued and successfully "recruited"
famous "Price is Right" host and animal advocate, Bob Barker
to join forces with Media Partners for Pets to warn people about this
problem to help avoid another disaster for these animals. Bob has
already produced two PSA's, one for TV and one for Radio to help the
cause. Media Partners for Pets is will be distributing them locally in
Las Vegas first and nationally to educate the public.
Watch out, Cruella. This dynamic
Dalmatian duo means business.
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