With the new release of Disney's latest '102 Dalmatians' movie, my first thought is not to join the line of theatregoers, but rather, "Oh no, here we go again!" In November 1996, Disney's original '101 Dalmatians' started a craze from which animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups have yet to recover.
Six months to a year after its release, the number of dalmatians found abandoned and being surrendered soared. In fact, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports statistics that reflect a 25-per-cent increase in the number of dalmatians admitted to shelters in this time frame.
Last April, the HSUS contacted Disney and asked them to cooperate with them to educate moviegoers about the realities of puppy mills and dalmatian ownership. The HSUS offered to develop educational material and set up a trailer that could be shown before the movie. Disney declined and instead opted to work with the Dalmatian Club of America.
The details of that arrangement are not known at this time. However, HSUS and all animal agencies hope any steps they take will mitigate the unintended effects of this movie.
Mary MacNeill, founder of Dalmatian Adoption and Rescue here in Canada, knows all too well what effect the initial '101 Dalmatians' movie had. In 1997 her calls to rescue the spotted dogs doubled. Backyard breeders and puppy mills who supply pet stores capitalized on the dalmatian fad by producing puppies in mass quantities.
MacNeill has received calls and e-mails from every province and believe it or not, every state in the U.S. from people who impulsively purchased dalmatians and found them to be "not the right dog". She has heard it all, and has devoted the last five years to not only rescuing and re-homing dalmatians, but also educating people about the breed.
"They were originally bred to run beside a coach from sun-up to sundown," she explains, noting the high energy levels and stamina of these dogs are more than most families can handle. Many people may think because the coat of a dalmatian is short, it is low maintenance. Not so. "Don't let their short coat fool you, these dogs shed 365 days a year," MacNeill states.
A wide variety of genetic and health concerns accompany the breed. They are prone to urinary crystals or stones (specialized diet required), skin allergies and seizures, but what many people do not know is approximately eight per cent of all dalmatians are totally deaf and another 22 per cent have unilateral hearing (normal hearing in only one ear).
When I asked MacNeill if she has feelings of dread as the opening of '102 Dalmatians' is upon us, she admits she does. However, she is hoping that more people have become educated about the breed. She is also hoping that those who did make impulsive purchases after the initial '101 Dalmatians' and realized their mistake at the expense of the dog will not repeat such actions. Her last hope is the 'The Grinch who Stole Christmas' will be the box office blockbuster this year!
Visit www.dalrescue.org to learn more about the challenging, emotional and life-saving work Mary MacNeill and her volunteers do or e-mail her at: dalrescue@hotmail.com