Alicia Silverstone’s Bold Opinion on Breeding Dogs Has People Talking
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The sad truth is that there are more pets in shelters than are united with new owners, and the number grows. Especially around the holidays, when parents buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store or breeder and end up returning it to the shelter because they're overwhelmed,
Hollywood legend and animal rights advocate Alicia Silverstone shared an important message on her TikTok, posted on August 27, urging everyone to not support dog breeders, and she explains why. Let's find out more!
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Alicia Silverstone, who's best known for her role as Cher Horowitz in the teen comedy Clueless, has been a vegan since 1998 and has actively campaigned against various forms of animal cruelty, such as advocating against the use of animals for their fur and promoting the adoption of animals from shelters and rescues.
Just like fellow actor Chris Evans, Silverstone has also rescued dogs from shelters and now took to her TikTok, urging everyone who is thinking of getting a dog to adopt one from the shelter instead of buying one from the breeder.
"Breeding dogs is killing dogs," Silverstone says in her video. "It's just that every time you buy a dog, you're essentially killing another dog [...] because there are no homes for them."
While dog breeding itself is not inherently bad, there are concerns associated with irresponsible and unethical breeding practices that can have negative consequences for both dogs and the overall canine population.
Irresponsible breeding can lead to an overpopulation of dogs, which can result in overcrowded shelters and the euthanization of healthy animals due to a lack of space and resources.
"In my experience, all of the dogs that I have rescued have been the most grateful and loving," Silverstone continues. "They're just so happy you saved their lives."
In addition, unethical breeders may prioritize appearance over health, leading to genetic problems and a predisposition to various health issues in the offspring. Inbreeding and a lack of genetic diversity can exacerbate these problems.
"Dogs that come from breeders or come from the pet store—what you're doing is asking these people to continue breeding them when there are so many dogs who are being put to sleep on a daily basis," Silverstone says.
Another issue is that dogs bred without consideration for temperament and behavior can develop behavioral problems that affect their suitability as pets and may lead to abandonment or surrender to shelters.
"So if you want a dog, please don't buy one," she urges. "Go to the shelter and save a life."
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