Recently, I came across a TV advert promoting this Friday’s release of the highly anticipated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Upon watching the ad, I realised that groups such as Animals Rights Action Network (ARAN) are going to need to prepare for problems following the release of what is essentially a harmless flick for all the family. But what could be the problem, right? Am I being overly sensitive with a hint of killjoy?
The trailer for the Michael Bay blockbuster brought me back to a moment in time when I was growing up in the ‘90s. I remember the cartoon series like it was yesterday, with its four heroes and their master, the anthropomorphic rat Splinter, who showed the turtles the ropes of life and survival in the sewers of New York City. My favourite was Michelangelo, the more fun-loving character of the foursome. As I got caught up more and more in TMNT, I remember my parents bringing me to the pet store to purchase two turtles, one for me and one for my brother. I never let up until I got what I wanted. Needless to say the very same animals were abandoned once the novelty and fun wore off. I can’t remember how or where these creatures landed shortly after, it certainly wasn’t a local animal shelter, and I certainly didn’t have them for very long.
"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."
Years down the road after life moved on and I became more aware of the plight of all animals, I can’t help but want to urge parents to go enjoy the movie this coming weekend with their children, but to refuse any pester pressure to purchase a turtle, or two, or indeed a rat.
The release of TMNT should remind people of the risk to various other animals that happen to feature in the latest Hollywood blockbuster. 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. Animal shelters across America reported sharp increases in the number of unwanted Dalmatian dogs in the months after the film. Upon the release of Finding Nemo, a huge increase in the sales of clown-fish was documented. Likewise with the Harry Potter series we saw some of his legion of fans looking to buy an owl.
More recently, the likes of Twilight and the Game of Thrones have seen hundreds of huskies and similar breeds being dumped weeks and months later after being purchased at rescue groups such as the Blue Cross.
This brings us to the underworld of breeders and dealers operating in exotic animals such as turtles and reptiles where the animals are often trapped illegally in the wild for a trade that is second or third to the drug trade. Breeders also tend to farm these animals in cramped facilities for them to be shipped or trucked to the nearest pet store where they languish in small cages awaiting that forever, loving home. And rarely does that loving lifetime of care become a reality.
In short, we need to learn lessons from the past and realise that animals are not inanimate objects, but turtles, just like dogs and cats, require long-term love and care. And yes, that comes with a burden for families to ensure money is put aside for the food and vet bills required.
Unsuspecting parents are often not aware that housing turtles also requires large amounts of water for swimming, controlled temperatures and a specific diet. Most tend to die within a couple of years, but others who are well looked after tend to live for over twenty plus years. In the wild they have been known to live for more than one hundred years.
This coming weekend I won’t be running off to my local pet store to purchase Michelangelo or indeed any of his friends in order to feel closer to this movie. I learned my lesson on that one. I hope that parents across the nation will put their foot down and ensure that the only turtle or rat to fall into the hands of innocent, well-meaning kids is that of a plastic figurine.
John Carmody is Campaigns Director with Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN).
