Officvial billboard of the "Cheap Puppies" campaign. (source: Courtesy of Lacné šteniatka)
THE successful campaign “Lacné šteniatka” (“Cheap Puppies”) to support the humane breeding of dogs and the lives of animals in rescue shelters entered its second phase on February 2. This involves the yearlong main event of the campaign, a travelling exhibition in stopping at major Slovak shopping centres.
The campaign to educate the public about the purchasing of dogs from dubious breeders was launched in 2012 by three civic associations: OZ (i.e. civic association) Majme srdce (Let Us Have a Heart), OZ Pes v núdzi (Dog in Need) and OZ Psia duša (Dog Soul). Rappers DNA and Šegi 100 and singer Mišo Biely have supported the campaign with their song “Nestrácajme hodnoty” (“Let Us Not Lose Values”) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spc_VksyCtQ).
The goal of the project is to bring attention to the torture and abuse of animals by unlicensed dog breeders, or “multipliers”, who keep them in terrible conditions. It will begin at the Eurovea Galleria in Bratislava, and in March it will head to the Max shopping centre in Trenčín, then to Aupark Žilina in April, Aupark Košcie in May, Európa Banská Bystrica in June and to Európa Zvolen in September.
People can learn how to tell a responsible breeder from an irresponsible one, as well as how to choose a dog that best fits their personality, how to find a dog in a rescue centre and why doing so is better than buying puppies from a “multiplier”. Chairperson of the OZ Majme srdce Magdaléna Fülöpová informed that stories of dogs that went through hell living with such breeders will also be part of the project.
Th opening of the exhibition will feature a dog saved from a “multiplier” as well as photo-sessions with celebrities and dogs. In Bratislava there will be demonstrations of dog-dancing and body-painting. More informaiton can be found at www.lacnesteniatka.sk
