Animal Shelters Gearing Up for Post-Christmas Doggie Abandonment

It happened after 101 Dalmatians. It happened after Beethoven. It even happened after Beverly Hills Chihuahua. People fall in love with the dogs they see on the big screen and run out to get one of their own. Sadly, too many of these impulse acquisitions end up with dogs being dumped on animal shelters after the owners realize dog ownership isn't as cute as it is in the movies.

Animal shelters across the country are getting ready for the next influx of unwanted dogs--Labrador Retrievers specifically. The latest dog movie sensation is "Marley and Me", based on the book by John Grogan and stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson and of course an adorable yellow lab.

Acknowledging there is a problem with dog dumping after blockbuster dog films are released, 20th Century Fox and The American Humane Association have launched a public-awareness campaign about this careless act. They want to encourage prospective pet owners to look into adopting shelter pets. Millions of animals are left in shelters every year and the movie studio wants to be part of the solution rather than the problem.

"American Humane is working collaboratively with 20th Century Fox on vital animal issues and we're particularly excited about our combined efforts to raise national awareness about the importance of adopting animals from shelters and breed-rescue groups," Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane Association, said in a news release.

In the film, Marley is a destructive menace, chewing and shredding things that he shouldn't touch. And that kind of behavior isn't unusual for labs. "In the case of the dog in "Marley & Me", what you see is what you might get," said Wheatley. "It's important for potential pet owners to keep this in mind when deciding whether to adopt a dog."

Is a lab right for your family? Check out these facts from the American Humane Association:

* Labs are the most popular breed in the U.S.

* They can develop slowly and continue puppy-like behavior even past age two.

* Labs can be wonderful companion dogs for active families.

* Many animal shelters and rescues have a large variety of Lab mixes available for adoption.

* Black Labs and Lab mixes tend to be adopted less often than other dogs.

* Labs are multi-talented and can excel in animal-assisted therapy, swimming, retrieving and much more.

Source: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=3889962&access=EH