County Louth Dog Is Finalist In PETA’S ‘Cutest Mutt In The Uk’ Contest
For Immediate Release:
10 March 2010
Contact:
Sam Glover 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]
County Louth, Ireland – Just a day before the Kennel Club’s Crufts dog show begins, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is announcing the top 10 finalists out of thousands of entrants in an online competition to find the cutest mixed-breed rescue dog in the UK. The competition showcases just how beautiful, healthy and good-natured mixed-breed dogs can be, and 4-year-old Holly from County Louth is a top contender for the title.
Holly – who was abandoned at Collon Animal Sanctuary with her two brothers just before Christmas in 2006 – has lived with her guardian, Meriel White, 31, since the mixed-breed rescue dog was 6 weeks old. Holly was timid and fearful at first, but she soon developed into a very sociable and happy dog who loves to play with the neighbourhood children. Holly is obsessed with her toy ball – when she is not busy chasing it all day, she sits and stares at it.
” Meriel adopted Holly to give the mixed-breed rescue dog the best life possible, and Holly has given Meriel deep affection in return”, says PETA’s Poorva Joshipura. “Holly found a loving home, and Meriel found a devoted and loyal companion.”
PETA’s competition highlights the fact that mixed-breed dogs – besides being lovable individuals – don’t face the range of health problems and genetic defects that pedigree dogs often endure. As a result of being purposely bred for certain unnatural and exaggerated physical traits, pedigree dogs have high rates of epilepsy, heart disease, hip dysplasia and other health problems. PETA also points out that every time a dog is purchased from a breeder, a homeless dog loses the chance to find a loving home and must be euthanised or left to languish in an animal shelter.
The cutest mutt and two runners-up will be chosen and announced on 30 March on the popular website PETA.org.uk. These three “top dogs” will also be featured in PETA’s Animal Times magazine and will receive a selection of doggie delights.