Puppy show in Bourg-en-Bresse: an open letter to Town Mayor Jean-François Debat

Strasbourg, 2 December 2022

Dear Mayor,

We have been informed that a ‘puppy show’ is being held in Bourg-en-Bresse on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December.

One Voice, whose purpose is to protect and defend animals and nature, are worried about the image being spread by this ‘show’ and about the fact that your town is encouraging the trade of pets, going against the tide of what our society really needs.

The law against animal abuse enacted in November 2022 banned the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops and increased sanctions in cases of abuse against them.

A ‘puppy show’... Like a ‘car show’? Very young sentient beings being sold like cars? Don't even! Because unlike car buyers, puppy ‘consumers’ mostly do not take the trouble to think before going ahead with their purchase. They will buy a baby Australian Shepherd just like they bought themselves a jumper to then be resold on Vinted. Or succumb to a kitten like they do a pair of shoes that they will return because they make their feet hurt. Without realising that welcoming an animal into your home means committing to caring for them for fifteen years and that this new arrival in the house represents a profound change. These shows give little information to their clients, who are often unaware of the consequences of this compulsive purchase, of sharing a happy life with their new companion, cute though it may be.

We must also remember that these commercial events involving living beings encourage breeding in abusive conditions for those being bred. To keep making more profit, they must keep producing more puppies.

In a context where rescue centres are overpopulated, where the price of food has skyrocketed, where keeping a ‘pet’ is more and more expensive, it would have been really useful to organise a show which puts cats and dogs up for adoption, with the support of associations in your region. Visitors would have received tailored information, without pressure, with the certainty that their decision would be right, respecting both animals and humans.

In November 2020, we had already written to you about your policy regarding animals. Today, we are urging you to stop welcoming and promoting these shows that objectify animals instead of educating about them, and only increase the number of animals abused or abandoned in your area.

Our Association is ready to give our expertise with regard to policies concerning pet animals and remains available to you for any request for additional information.

We thank you for your attention to this letter and ask that you accept our highest consideration, Mr Mayor.

Muriel Arnal, President

Translated from the French by Joely Justice

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Stoppons vite ces salons de chiots et autres animaux.
Les animaux ne sont pas des marchandises pour des achats compulsifs et irresponsables.
Les refuges débordent et ces vendeurs de vies créent la misère animale.
La France est championne des abandons .
Ça suffit .

Entièrement avec vous, le maire de ma ville a déjà interdit le salon du chiot depuis deux ans, et pour les mêmes raisons, "un chiot n'est pas une marchandise à exposer et à acheter". Il faut absolument que tous ces salons que ce soit du chiot, du chat ou d'autres animaux soient interdits définitivement et rapidement. Car oui, les animaux ne sont pas "des marchandises ou jouets que l'on achète et que l'on abandonne lorsque l'on en a assez ou plus envie, ce n'est que lamentable et inacceptable. De même, ces pauvres petits chiots sont exposés, touchés par tout le monde, comme des meubles ou objets, et ne sont en rien aimés, respectés et considérés en tant qu'être vivant. C'est une évidence, et ils ne servent qu'au profit financier honteux de tels exposants sans scrupule et sans aucune conscience.