The cost of cute: animal advocates ring the alarm over increase in French bulldog surrenders

Animal advocates in Montreal are sounding the alarm over an increase in the number of French bulldogs being surrendered because owners are unable or unwilling to pay for their care.

They say the breed may be cute but the dogs often come with chronic medical issues and people are unaware of the high costs adopting one can carry. What's more, their popularity pushes unethical breeders to bad practices, which perpetuates their innate health problems.

Montrealer Karolina Jez admits to getting her "Frenchie" Rio from a breeder nearly five years ago.

"To me she was really the most special thing. Everywhere she went she became like a little star of the show," Jez mused.

"She was the mascot of our local coffee shop. They called her 'Tonguies' because her tongue was always sticking out. She just made everybody happy."

But from early on Rio had serious health issues ranging from allergies to problems with her spine. An expensive surgery seemed to get her back on track, but then she was diagnosed with meningitis.

Her decline was fast. Eventually, she couldn't walk anymore and lost her zest for life.

Rio was only 4.5 years old when she died.

"It was so painful to see how much she suffered and honestly we did everything we could," Jez said.

Jez suspects the seriousness of Rio's illnesses are connected to poor breeding practices and she now wishes she had done more research.

"Everything that I learned because of her, all the trauma that I've been through with her, all the suffering that I saw her go through — I think it's important for people to look at somebody like me and be like, 'You know what? I do need to educate myself. Look what she went through, am I ready to have this breed?' ... They are a living thing. They're not just a disposable toy," Jez said.

"I think if we adopt and we don't shop hopefully that's going to lessen — and maybe even one day — eradicate these 'greeders.'"

Not all Frenchies are as lucky to have a pet owner as dedicated as Jez. The Montreal SPCA says it's seen an increase in the number of surrenders of French bulldogs in the last couple of years.

Chocolatine, a three-month-old Frenchie, is currently under its care. She is recovering from a surgery to correct a rectal prolapse, which happens when the rectum becomes stretched and slips out of the anus.

The SPCA says her breeder gave her up because he didn't want to pay for her vet bills and bite into his profits.

"Unfortunately because the breed is so popular, it leads to irresponsible people breeding them in a non-ethical way," said Lawrence Massé, the Montreal SPCA's executive director.

Massé says more and more Frenchie owners surrender their dogs because they can't afford their medical issues that include digestive, respiratory and bone and joint problems.

People often buy them impulsively without doing the necessary research, she says.

WATCH | More and more Frenchies showing up in shelters, veterinary clinics:

French bulldogs may be cute — but it seems more owners are surrendering them

23 days ago

Duration 2:57

Animal advocates say the breed often comes with chronic medical issues including allergies as well as breathing and spine problems, that most people can’t afford.

"I think they've become a massive status symbol," said Candice Wagner, a volunteer with Rescue All Dogs (RAD).

She says the problem is even worse in the United States, where according to the American Kennel Association, French bulldogs are the most popular breed.

RAD brings dogs that would otherwise be euthanized from south of the border to Montreal. Wagner says she's also seeing more and more owners surrender Frenchies.

"They're buying these dogs, they're uneducated and if the cost of living is going up you can only imagine the cost of vet care," Wagner said.

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association agrees it's a growing problem. Dr. Enid Stiles, who is part of the Association's animal welfare committee, says education is key.

"[Educate] yourself and talk to your veterinarian…. We are actually an incredible source of information and can very much help guide you in what may be the best breed for your family," Stiles said.

As for Jez, she's on a mission to end unethical breeding practices.

She made T-shirts that say "adopt, don't shop" in the front. In the back, they have Rio's paw prints.

"These are her last dog prints before she passed … and I'm just going to give this away to people and raise awareness for rescues and advocate for dogs who really need homes," Jez said.

She's spreading the message in the memory of her departed best friend, Rio.