Animal defenders in Montreal are playing the alarm for an increase in the number of French bulldogs that are delivered because the owners cannot or are not willing to pay their attention.
They say the race can be pretty, but dogs often come with chronic medical problems and people do not know the high costs. Adopt one can carry. In addition, their popularity pushes little ethical breeders to bad practices, which perpetuates their innate health problems.
The Montrealer Karolina Jez admits to obtain its “Frenchie” river of a breeder almost five years ago.
“For me she was really the most special thing. Wherever she left, she became a small show of the show,” Jez reflected.
“She was the pet of our local cafeteria. They called her ‘Tonguitas’ because her language always stood out. He simply made everyone happy.”
But from the beginning of the river he had serious health problems range From allergies to problems with its spine. An expensive surgery seemed to lead her again, but then he was diagnosed with meningitis.
His decline was fast. Finally, he couldn’t walk anymore and lost his enthusiasm for life.
Rio was only 4.5 years old when she died.
“It was very painful to see how much he suffered and, honestly, we did everything we could,” Jez said.
Jez suspects that the severity of river diseases is connected with bad reproduction practices And she now I would like to have done more research.
“Everything I learned for her, all the trauma I have gone through, all the suffering that I saw it: I think it is important that people look at someone like me and be like, ‘Do you know what? I need to educate myself. Look for what happened, am I ready to have this race?’ … They are a living being.
“I think that if we adopt and do not buy, hopefully, that will decrease, and maybe even one day, eradicate these ‘Geders’.”
Not all French are so lucky to have a pet owner as dedicated as Jez. The Montreal SPCA says that it has seen an increase in the number of surrender of French bulldogs in recent years.
Chocolatine, a three -month -old Frenchman, is currently under his care. She is recovering from surgery to correct a rectal prolapse, which occurs when the rectum is stissed and leaves the anus.
The SPCA says that its breeder resigned from it because he did not want to pay his veterinary bills and bite his profits.
“Unfortunately, because the race is very popular, it leads to irresponsible people who raise them in an ethical way,” said Lawrence Massé, executive director of Montreal SPCA.
Massé says that more and more Frenchie owners give their dogs because they cannot pay their medical problems that include digestive, respiratory and bone problems and joints.
People often buy them impulsively without doing the necessary research, she says.
“I think they have become a massive state symbol,” said Candice Wagner, volunteer of Rescue All Dogs (RAD).
She says the problem is even worse in the United States, where according to the American Kennel association, French bulldogs are the most popular breed.
Rade brings dogs that would otherwise be sacrificed from the south of the border to Montreal. Wagner says he is also seeing that more and more owners deliver French.
“They are buying these dogs, they have no education and if the cost of living is going up, you can only imagine the cost of veterinary care,” Wagner said.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association agrees that it is a growing problem. Dr. Enid Stiles, who is part of the association’s animal welfare committee, says that education is key.
“[Educate] You yourself and talk to your veterinarian … Actually, we are an incredible source of information and we can help you a lot in what can be the best breed for your family, “said Stiles.
As for Jez, he is in the mission of ending the little ethical reproduction practices.
He made shirts that say “adopt, do not buy” on the front. On the back, they have river leg impressions.
“These are her last dog prints before she died … and I will give this to people and raise awareness about rescues and advocate for dogs that really need homes,” Jez said.
She is spreading the message in the memory of her best deceased friend, Rio.
