Peter Dinklage has urged fans to adopt shelter dogs instead of buying from breeders, warning that the massive popularity of Game of Thrones led many people to purchase huskies simply because they resembled the show’s direwolves
Partnering with PETA in 2017, the Emmy-winning actor, best known for playing Tyrion Lannister, spoke out after shelters reported a surge in abandoned huskies. Many new owners had underestimated how demanding the high-energy breed can be.“Please, to all of Game of Thrones’ many wonderful fans, we understand that due to the direwolves’ huge popularity, many folks are going out and buying huskies,” Dinklage said.
“Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are also reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned.”He urged anyone thinking of bringing home a dog to be fully prepared for “such a tremendous responsibility” and to “always, ALWAYS, adopt from a shelter.”
One Bay Area shelter reported a 300 percent increase in huskies after the show became a phenomenon.PETA noted that this pattern was nothing new, pointing to similar breed crazes sparked by films like 101 Dalmatians, Legally Blonde, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. With more than six million animals entering U.S. shelters each year, Dinklage — a longtime vegetarian and animal-welfare advocate — has continued to champion a simple message: adopt, don’t shop.
