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Supermodel Gigi Hadid Hit The Catwalk Holding A Puppy And Animal Groups Are Angry

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On the 23rd of February, in the midst of Milan Fashion Week, superstar models faced competition for the attention of journalists during catwalk shows for the Fall/Winter 2018-2019 season.The Italian brand Tod's sent supermodels such as Gigi Hadid, Vittoria Ceretti and Liu Wen down the catwalk holding puppies.The crowd went wild for little French Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Akita Inus and King Charles Spaniels. But animal welfare associations have been left horrified.[caption id="attachment_42915" align="alignnone" width="568"]

Gigi Hadid chien

Gigi Hadid with a French Bulldog Puppy - Source: Getty[/caption]The decision to put models on the catwalk with puppies came as no surprise to fans of the brand, given that their last publicity campaign involved models posing with puppies.The model Kendall Jenner and the dancer Roberto Bello, for example, are featured posing with a corgi. The message is clear: what is cute is also cool.[caption id="attachment_42910" align="alignnone" width="607"]

An Akita Inu puppy on the catwalk as part of a show put on by the brand Tod's - Source: Getty[/caption]Though the use of puppies delighted the crowd during the show, it also angered animal welfare groups. Elisa Allen, the head of PETA, wrote onThe Sun's website:

Animals aren't fashion accessories. Tod's could take a lesson from Gucci – which has not only banned fur but also demonstrated creativity by sending only hyper-realistic props of 'animals' down the runway.

Alessandro Michele, creative director of Italian fashion house Gucci, caused a stir on social media by putting mythical creatures usually only seen in the cinema onto the catwalk.This was a reinstatement of his engagement with animal welfare, a year after he stopped using fur in his designs.[caption id="attachment_42912" align="alignnone" width="601"]

A dragon on the Gucci catwalk - Source: Gucci/Instagram[/caption]Furthermore, Felicity Harley Princhar, an activist and member of the British associationSESAW, agreed that animals should not be considered props for models taking part in Italian Fashion Week.

Dogs are not for human entertainment, sport or fashion. The promotion of them on the catwalk encourages people to buy them from questionable puppy farms, on a whim as a latest trend. They are a living creature that need consistent exercise, care and maintenance. As a consequence they are over bred, which causes physical distortions and behavioural problems and are being dumped on animal charities in their droves.

Tens of thousands of dogs and cats end up in shelters each year, either due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. Consider adopting before you shop, and visit your local shelters before going to a breeder. Every dog and cat deserves a fair chance at a forever home.If you live in England, you can visit the RSPCA, and if you live in the United States, you can visit the ASPCA to get more information about pets available for adoption.You can support SESAW and the incredible work they do by clicking here, making a donation and helping them to continue saving animals.

Source : The Sun

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