Peter Dinklage and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are calling on Game of Thrones fans not to buy huskies because they resemble the Stark clan’s direwolves, only to abandon the canine companions once the novelty wears off.
“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 — as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding their needs,” Dinklage said Tuesday in a statement released by PETA.
Direwolves are big and intelligent wolves that loom large in the mythology on Game of Thrones. They are especially connected to House Stark, home of the series’ most readily identifiable heroes, including Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Arya (Maisie Williams), the only two Stark siblings whose direwolves are still alive on the show.
Look-alike huskies have become popular with dog owners who want to bring some Stark-like swagger into their homes. But Dinklage warns pet owners that huskies require lifelong care, including exercise and grooming.
“Please, please, if you’re going to bring a dog into your family, make sure that you’re prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, always, adopt from a shelter,” he said.
PETA notes that earlier Hollywood projects like 101 Dalmatians, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Legally Blonde and Men in Black also spurred spikes in the sales of featured dog breeds that later showed up in shelters because of ill-prepared owners.
