I think The Shopping Bags show on W Network is very clever. A show I caught a couple of weeks ago did a segment on cat food which was very interesting. Unfortunately, the next segment was on purchasing toy dogs. It was about 15 mins long (including commercials). You can check out the content of the toy dog show at <http://www.wnetwork.com/tv_shows/shows/the_shopping_bags/ViewProduct.asp?ID=349> The show mentioned finding a reputable breeder through the kennel club. Stanley Coren was consulted, too bad they didn't consult a humane society or rescue group also. Here is the letter I sent to the President and CEO of the Corus Entertainment Inc. who own W Network. I've included a list of other contacts. Please let them know what you think and persuade them to do a follow up show on adopting homeless animals.
Paul Robertson
President
Corus Entertainment Inc.
181 Bay St, Suite 1630
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2T3
Heather Shaw
Executive Chair
Corus Television
Corus Entertainment Inc.
630-3rd Ave SW, Suite 501
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4L4
or by email:
Corus Entertainment
http://www.corusent.com/corporate/contact/index.asp
W Network
Vice President, Programming, W Network:
Joanna Webb
http://www.wnetwork.com/corporate/contact_us.asp
February 5th, 2008
Mr. John M. Cassaday
President and CEO
Corus Entertainment Inc.
181 Bay St, Suite 1630
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2T3
Dear Mr. Cassaday:
I am a big fan of the “Shopping Bag” show on the W Network and try to catch one episode each week. I often use Anna’s and Kristina’s information when I am making a purchase. For example, in July I chose a photo printer for my husband that was featured on the show.
Unfortunately, I was very disappointed when I watched the show that featured “Toy dogs” as a consumer product. The short segment did untold damage to the many, many humane societies and rescue groups that are trying to help save some of the homeless dogs that are killed each year in Canada. The number of companion animals killed in Canada each year has been estimated at between 100,000 and one million. The show took a few seconds to mention that the TV audience should contact their local kennel club to find reputable breeders. However, because the dog breeds that your show featured (Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Yorkshire Terrier/Toy Poodle Mix) are “in fashion” there is a high demand and they are most often bred in ghastly puppy mills. If these animals survive the puppy mill process they often have degenerate health issues that cost exorbitant amounts of money to treat. Currently, there are numerous campaigns under way to close down these mills. The more humane alternative is to adopt one of these breeds from a shelter or rescue group. I have listed some homeless Chihuahuas that I found with a quick search on the internet (currently there are 5,439 homeless Chihuahuas listed on www.petfinder.org). Imagine that these same homeless toy dogs were once easily purchased as a consumer “product” and then just as easily the “product” is dropped off at the local shelter when the “product” has lost its appeal.
I am very uncomfortable with your show using living beings as products, however, I would ask The Shopping Bags to produce a follow up show that will exhort people to find their companion animal at their local society or rescue group.
I find it irresponsible for a show to hamper the good will and good work of so many Canadians and non-profit organizations that help the unwanted, discarded animals that our “disposable” society creates. Please instead become a show that demonstrates that you are a valued member in the fight against animal cruelty in Canada.
Kind Regards,
Keryn Denroche
www.ethicalbeauty.com
Copyright © 2006 Ethical Beauty™
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10157352
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10097051
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10060948