Everyday Dogs

One of the many parts of my job is that I get to see new PETA videos before they are released. Given the very nature of PETA’s work, this often means that I see disturbing and harrowing footage of cruelty to animals. Of course, PETA doesn’t just release racy videos or celebrity testimonials. Most of the videos you can watch on our site focus on investigations and shocking cruelty filmed by PETA affiliates.

So when I received the following video, pressed play and heard the cheerful music start, I assumed the footage would be pretty happy-go-lucky. Then it dawned on me – you need to watch this, especially with Crufts just around the corner:

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In case you didn’t know, last year, thousands healthy dogs were euthanised by local authorities – and that excludes animals who were euthanised in animal shelters. Many other animals are simply warehoused in shelters – where they will stay, feeling sad and confused. There is no reason for breeders to be in business at all. Anyone who works or volunteers at an animal shelter can tell you that there are already too many dogs and too few good homes for them. According to 2008-09 statistics, more than 100,000 dogs were found wandering on Britain’s streets that year. This is a massive 11 per cent increase over the previous figures. Breeders and pet shops only exacerbate a situation that is already out of control.

If your eyes started to well up halfway through this video, you’re not alone. A video hasn’t affected me this much since I saw Goldfinger’s “Free Me” music video, which PETA US released a few years ago in order to help expose factory-farm abuses.

It’s very easy to come across a PETA video and decide not to watch it because you believe it will be too graphic or because you have seen the footage before or think it will upset you. We all need to remind ourselves every day why we fight for the rights of animals. Please make sure you watch this video and forward it to your friends.

What I find most compelling about this video is that it highlights the harsh consequences of purchasing a dog from a breeder instead of giving a loving home to one of the many unfortunate souls who have been taken to animal shelters. The message is simple – if you buy a dog from a breeder, another dog in an animal shelter will lose his or her chance at finding a home and may be euthanised. Do the right thing – please adopt, and never buy.