Ellen Degeneres & the Ballad of Iggy

I wonder how many dogs and cats will die because people are boycotting animal rescue shelters over the Iggy crisis.

As I am sure you have heard, Ellen Degeneres adopted a Brussels Griffon mix from a rescue outfit called Moms and Mutts. Maybe she did or maybe she didn't read the fine print. However, I note that Ellen is no stranger to signing six figure contracts, and must be aware of that sneaky fine print.

One of the clauses was that Iggy could not be given to anyone else, but if the adoption did not work out he had to be returned to the care of Moms and Mutts.

Iggy did not get along with with Eleen and Portia's cats and she gave him to her hairdresser who has eight and eleven year old daughters, who I am sure adored Iggy.

Moms and Mutts called up Ellen to check on Iggy and she fessed up how the dog was now with the hairdresser. They went over and yanked young Iggy out of the children's hands and have now placed him with a new family.

Ellen was naturally upset, and she broke down on her show talking about it:



The owner of Moms and Mutts claims to be receiving death threats.

First, what the fuck was the power hungry Moms and Mutts thinking in creating an international incident with Ellen? The idiotic message was “We are not going to be pushed around by the Ellen DeGenereses of the World”

They have directly upset several people, discombobulated Iggy, and made a total ass out of themselves.

Many people have this constipated view of the world that if there is a law or a provision in a contract it must be strictly followed irregardless of a particular situation. The world is not black and white, and never has been. We do not always have to follow the letter of the law—and most reasonable people don't.

Obviously, Moms and Mutts should have seen, what I am assuming is a good home, and just waived the condition in Iggy's case.

What were they thinking? I can not imagine worse publicity for their non-profit business than taking on Ellen Degeneres.

But, even worse is what they have done to the cause of animal rescue.

The condition they have in the contract is a good one. I once adopted a cat and had to submit references. There was also a home inspection. The adoption papers had the “return to shelter” provision. The groups have these because they do not want the pets to end up abused or on death row.

Iggy has now,once again, been placed in a new home, that I am sure is good. I am not worried about him, Ellen or even her hairdresser's little girls.

But I am worried about all those little animals who are languishing in shelters and on death row right now. Many only have hours to live.

And I have heard a lot of talk how all animal rescue shelters should be boycotted until Iggy is freed.

This is so wrong.

Moms and Mutts has a stick up their ass. But this is not a reason to let hundreds or thousands of dogs and cats die.

In this country it is so shameful that four million pets are euthanized every year. If you or anyone you know is looking for a dog or cat there are so many at the humane society and animal shelters.

If you would like to save a buddy that is only hours or days from execution please visit Dogs in Danger.