Many children will be very excited about the release of Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
As fantastic as many of these films can be for Animal Welfare Organisations they can cause all sorts of problems.
From 101 Dalmatians to the Chipmunks, Lassie to Toto from the Wizard of Oz there are many films and programmes that have influenced people to impluse adopt or buy species and breeds of animals.
Last year the jack russell terrier was one of the world’s top dogs. When the Academy Award-winning film, The Artist, won the hearts of millions in 2011, many will argue that the film’s main character, a jack russell terrier named Uggie, completely stole the show.
According to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home over 600 people searched their website for a Jack Russell when the BAFTAs took place in February 2012.
This was more than double the number who browsed the website specifically for this breed on the previous Sunday, and more than any other night of the year, making rack russells the second most popular breed “re-homed” by the organisation.
When 101 Dalmatians was released in 1996, families rushed out to buy cute, charismatic dalmatian puppies, just like the ones they saw in the movie. Sadly the year following the movie the number of unwanted dalmatians increase in many Shelters across the world.
The Blue Cross have reported the number of huskies and similar breeds at its rehoming centres has increased by 700 per cent over the past five years, likely because fans of fantasy shows and films such as Game of Thrones and Twilight bought the dogs without properly considering whether they had the time, space and resources needed to care for such large, energetic animals.
In 1943 when Lassie Come Home was released a 40 per cent increase in collie registrations over the following two years occurred Analysts have recorded annual spikes in the sales of animals seen on screen which are invariable followed by horror stories of their neglect and abandonment once the novelty has worn off.
A University of Bristol study published last month in the journal PLOS ONE analysed 87 movies featuring dogs and found that the release of movies is typically associated with an increase in the popularity of featured breeds. The authors warned that because the most popular breeds also have the greatest number of inherited disorders, this trend spelled bad news for dogs.
As well as all of theses we cannot forget clownfish, Shetland ponies, owls, monkeys and meerkats are just some of the other species who have fallen victim to the marketing effects of using animals in entertainment.
The GSPCA are appealing to parents that after your child has seen the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie not to rush out to purchase a terrapin or turtle.
The Biologist magazine published by the Society of Biology, shows that three-quarters of all pet reptiles die during their first year in UK homes.
The average lifespan of an aquatic turtle is 25 years, but they can live for up to 50. The costs of vet bills, a thermostatically controlled enclosure, lighting, food, habitat enrichment and cleaning during this time can total tens of thousands of pounds.
When people become overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for a turtle or when turtles grow too large for the tanks they have been kept in the animals are often dumped outdoors which happens every year here in Guernsey.
In an unsuitable climate, these turtles, who are unaccustomed to feeding and defending themselves, have little hope of survival. Those who do survive can have a damaging effect on local ecosystems, as these predators consume dragonflies, fish, frogspawn and even small waterfowl.
Every year the GSPCA rescue turtles and terrapins that are found in waterways around Guernsey.
Only 10 days we were called out to rescue a terrapin from Saumarez Park which staff called Douglas.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "We all love watching heart warming films about animals, and children especially will adore an action packed film of ninja turtles, but these are very specialist pets and the GSPCA would urge all parents to reconsider going out and getting a terrapin or turtle as they can live for up to 50 years and can grow very large if cared for correctly."
"If you are thinking of adopting a pet it should be thought through, researched and the whole household should understand the responsibilities in the case of a terrapin or turtle which can be a life long commitment."
"There are hundreds of animals in rescues that need homes in Guernsey and if you are thinking of a new pet please contact us here at the GSPCA or check out our website for lots in need of homes."
To see the animals at the GSPCA in need of a home please click here or call 01481 257261.
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