The university administration has formally announced that they will discontinue the practice of breeding bulldogs as live mascots. This decision represents a meaningful shift toward prioritizing animal welfare within our institution. Thank you for contributing to this outcome and helping us secure a more ethical future for the program.
May 4, 2017
Encourage the University of Redlands to Consider Mascot Breeding Alternatives
Final supporters
The University of Redlands’ bulldog mascot has been an iconic symbol of university’s history and spirit ever since President Armacost was gifted our first live mascot, Deacon, in 1946 by the Pacific Coast Bulldog Club. Many bulldogs have since replaced Deacon as our live mascot, with the average dog’s tenure lasting about seven years. A recent article in the Redlands Daily Facts and a post by the Alumni & Friends Facebook page have made it clear that the current mascot, Thurber, will soon be reaching the end of his term. Both sources state that the university is looking for an American Kennel Club (AKC)-certified stud to breed with Opal (Thurber’s niece) to give birth to our new mascot.
It is for this reason that we, the Redlands chapter of the Student Animals & Society Institute (SASI) and other members of the greater university community, encourage the university to seek an alternative to breeding a new mascot. Opal will likely have to undergo cesarean section due to her breed’s inability to give a proper birth as a result of their extreme genetic modification, which also causes them to face other health issues such as respiratory problems, periodontal disease, and skin infections. (We understand that Thurber is only eight and may already be facing medical concerns.) We encourage the university to not perpetuate the genes of this loveable-but-unhealthy breed, as well as to avoid contributing to pet overpopulation by purposefully breeding animals.
Adopting a rescue animal has been deemed “difficult” by university officials given the timely nature of seeking and training a new dog. Puppies are understandably preferable to adult dogs for longevity and temperament reasons. It is true that puppies can be rare to find on rescue websites, but it is not completely impossible. Members of the university community such as SASI and other undergraduates, faculty, graduates, and alumni may be willing to assist the university in finding a suitable rescue puppy, just as they were willing to help the university find a stud to breed with Opal. Should a rescue dog prove unsuitable for mascot duties, some current or former student and/or faculty member would likely be more than willing to provide a new home.
Lastly, we would like to encourage the university to broaden their search to more than just an English bulldog. American bulldogs are more agile than English bulldogs and face fewer health problems. Non-purebred dogs and other mixed pit breeds are not only physically healthier than our typical mascot, but live longer as well (there are many mixed pit breeds at the local animal shelter). Adopting a non-purebred rescue dog as our new mascot would be a great example of compassion in a world where compassion is often lacking. We encourage the university to seriously consider our requests as not just a viable option, but the best option.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Updates
February 14, 2017
The momentum behind this petition highlights a growing consensus regarding the ethical treatment of our university mascot. It is heartening to observe so many individuals engaging with the welfare concerns surrounding this specific breed.
Reached 100 supporters
February 14, 2017
51 Comments
I helped raise, train, and familiarize Thurber with the campus as an Ad-host. It was wonderful but I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact that he and his sister were specifically bred for the purpose of having a bulldog on campus. I would much prefer to see the dog on campus be a rescue, rather than an actual English Bulldog.
Such a wonderful idea!! As a former employee of the Redlands Animal Shelter and a rescue dog mama, I think this would help the community understand that rescue dogs are just as great as any pure bred dog bought from a breeder! There are so many in need of a home. What a great example that would set for the community! Adoption should be the only option!
I'm a Johnston alumni who has fostered rescue dogs, volunteered with various dog rescue groups and adopted my second foster dog. I highly encourage UCR to rescue their next bulldog and I suggest they contact Southern California Bulldog Rescue as well as NKLA/Best Friends Animal Society to aid them in their search.
Every year, millions of dogs and cats are euthanized due to overcrowded shelters. Please be part of the solution and be an example to the community and spay or neuter our mascot & family. A rescue makes a positive impact, not a bloodline. -Laura Perea, University of Redlands, Johnson Center, class of 2014.
It is a dreadful thing to breed when there are 10s of thousands of homeless dogs, if not more. Furthermore breeding bulldogs? Are you aware that they've been so genetically engineered that the pups heads are so large that they almost always must be delivered cesarean?
Alumna, 2009
I am totally for adopting rescue animals. I have now 4 rescue cats. The new mascot should be a rescue dog.
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The university administration has formally announced that they will discontinue the practice of breeding bulldogs as live mascots. This decision represents a meaningful shift toward prioritizing animal welfare within our institution. Thank you for contributing to this outcome and helping us secure a more ethical future for the program.
May 4, 2017
Encourage the University of Redlands to Consider Mascot Breeding Alternatives
Final supporters
The University of Redlands’ bulldog mascot has been an iconic symbol of university’s history and spirit ever since President Armacost was gifted our first live mascot, Deacon, in 1946 by the Pacific Coast Bulldog Club. Many bulldogs have since replaced Deacon as our live mascot, with the average dog’s tenure lasting about seven years. A recent article in the Redlands Daily Facts and a post by the Alumni & Friends Facebook page have made it clear that the current mascot, Thurber, will soon be reaching the end of his term. Both sources state that the university is looking for an American Kennel Club (AKC)-certified stud to breed with Opal (Thurber’s niece) to give birth to our new mascot.
It is for this reason that we, the Redlands chapter of the Student Animals & Society Institute (SASI) and other members of the greater university community, encourage the university to seek an alternative to breeding a new mascot. Opal will likely have to undergo cesarean section due to her breed’s inability to give a proper birth as a result of their extreme genetic modification, which also causes them to face other health issues such as respiratory problems, periodontal disease, and skin infections. (We understand that Thurber is only eight and may already be facing medical concerns.) We encourage the university to not perpetuate the genes of this loveable-but-unhealthy breed, as well as to avoid contributing to pet overpopulation by purposefully breeding animals.
Adopting a rescue animal has been deemed “difficult” by university officials given the timely nature of seeking and training a new dog. Puppies are understandably preferable to adult dogs for longevity and temperament reasons. It is true that puppies can be rare to find on rescue websites, but it is not completely impossible. Members of the university community such as SASI and other undergraduates, faculty, graduates, and alumni may be willing to assist the university in finding a suitable rescue puppy, just as they were willing to help the university find a stud to breed with Opal. Should a rescue dog prove unsuitable for mascot duties, some current or former student and/or faculty member would likely be more than willing to provide a new home.
Lastly, we would like to encourage the university to broaden their search to more than just an English bulldog. American bulldogs are more agile than English bulldogs and face fewer health problems. Non-purebred dogs and other mixed pit breeds are not only physically healthier than our typical mascot, but live longer as well (there are many mixed pit breeds at the local animal shelter). Adopting a non-purebred rescue dog as our new mascot would be a great example of compassion in a world where compassion is often lacking. We encourage the university to seriously consider our requests as not just a viable option, but the best option.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Updates
February 14, 2017
The momentum behind this petition highlights a growing consensus regarding the ethical treatment of our university mascot. It is heartening to observe so many individuals engaging with the welfare concerns surrounding this specific breed.
Reached 100 supporters
February 14, 2017
51 Comments
I graduated from the U of R in 2014 with a degree in animal behavior and I now work for an animal welfare organization. I think the university could set a really important example by choosing adoption. Over 9,000 healthy and adoptable animals are killed every single day in our nations shelters. Let's take a stand and make a difference!
I helped raise, train, and familiarize Thurber with the campus as an Ad-host. It was wonderful but I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact that he and his sister were specifically bred for the purpose of having a bulldog on campus. I would much prefer to see the dog on campus be a rescue, rather than an actual English Bulldog.
Such a wonderful idea!! As a former employee of the Redlands Animal Shelter and a rescue dog mama, I think this would help the community understand that rescue dogs are just as great as any pure bred dog bought from a breeder! There are so many in need of a home. What a great example that would set for the community! Adoption should be the only option!
I'm a Johnston alumni who has fostered rescue dogs, volunteered with various dog rescue groups and adopted my second foster dog. I highly encourage UCR to rescue their next bulldog and I suggest they contact Southern California Bulldog Rescue as well as NKLA/Best Friends Animal Society to aid them in their search.
Every year, millions of dogs and cats are euthanized due to overcrowded shelters. Please be part of the solution and be an example to the community and spay or neuter our mascot & family. A rescue makes a positive impact, not a bloodline. -Laura Perea, University of Redlands, Johnson Center, class of 2014.
It is a dreadful thing to breed when there are 10s of thousands of homeless dogs, if not more. Furthermore breeding bulldogs? Are you aware that they've been so genetically engineered that the pups heads are so large that they almost always must be delivered cesarean?
Alumna, 2009
I am totally for adopting rescue animals. I have now 4 rescue cats. The new mascot should be a rescue dog.
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I graduated from the U of R in 2014 with a degree in animal behavior and I now work for an animal welfare organization. I think the university could set a really important example by choosing adoption. Over 9,000 healthy and adoptable animals are killed every single day in our nations shelters. Let's take a stand and make a difference!