Puppy Yoga is Unethical

PUPPY YOGA: THE DARK SIDE OF A TREND & LA’S SHELTER CRISIS

Puppy yoga may seem fun and relaxing, but the truth behind it is far from ethical. Recent investigations have revealed serious animal welfare concerns, especially in the UK. In Los Angeles, a business called Puppies Yoga Los Angeles promotes puppies sourced exclusively from breeders, despite LA’s laws against retail sales of breeder-sourced pets. Meanwhile, shelters in LA are so overcrowded that volunteers are feeding dogs cheeseburgers before they are euthanized due to lack of space. The disparity between these two realities is unacceptable. Let’s explain why puppy yoga is harmful, how this business violates ethical standards, and what you can do to help.

THE PROBLEM WITH PUPPY YOGA

Puppy yoga involves live puppies roaming around a yoga class, allowing participants to interact with them during exercises. While marketed as a wellness activity, animal welfare experts have raised serious concerns about the stress and harm these sessions can cause to the puppies.

Welfare Issues with Puppy Yoga

📌 Early Separation & Overuse – Investigations in the UK found puppies as young as 6–7 weeks old being used in these classes, even though experts recommend they stay with their mother for at least 8 weeks (RSPCA, 2023). Some puppies were being used for up to three classes daily, leaving little time for essential feeding, rest, and proper socialization.

📌 Dehydration & Sleep Deprivation – Some businesses withhold water from puppies to prevent accidents during class (ITV News, 2023). Puppies were also frequently woken up by participants or instructors despite needing long, uninterrupted rest periods for healthy development.

📌 Long-term Behavioral Damage – Rather than proper socialization, these high-stress environments can make puppies fearful and reactive as adults. The RSPCA states that puppy yoga is “the opposite of socialization” and increases the risk of anxiety disorders later in life (Euronews Green, 2023).

UK Experts Call for Action

The British Veterinary Association, The Kennel Club, and the RSPCA have all called for strict regulation or a complete halt to puppy yoga due to its severe risk to animal welfare. Some UK businesses have shut down due to public pressure (Euronews Green, 2023).

📢 In the U.S., puppy yoga remains unregulated, and now, businesses like Puppies Yoga Los Angeles are profiting from it at the expense of animal welfare.

WHY “PUPPIES YOGA LOS ANGELES” IS UNETHICAL

This business promotes only breeder-sourced puppies, violating Los Angeles’ strict laws against selling commercially bred animals in pet stores.

📌 LA’s Pet Sales Ban: Since 2012, Los Angeles law has banned the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits unless they come from a shelter or rescue (LCA, 2012).

📌 Statewide Ban (AB 485): In 2019, California banned all pet stores from selling animals from breeders. Only rescues and shelters can provide animals for adoption in these settings. Any business violating this faces fines of up to $1,000 per violation (Animal Legal Defense Fund, 2019).

🚨 If you see illegal breeder-sourced puppy sales, report it:

LA Animal Services: 888-452-7381
LAPD Animal Cruelty Task Force: 877-275-5273
Los Angeles County Animal Care: Online reporting portal
spcaLA (Illegal Breeding Hotline): 1-800-540-SPCA

THE REALITY: LA’S SHELTER OVERPOPULATION CRISIS

While this business profits off breeder puppies, Los Angeles’ shelter system is in crisis. LA shelters are operating at 155% capacity (LA Animal Services, 2023).

📌 Shelter Euthanasia is Rising – In 2023, 1,244 dogs and 1,517 cats were euthanized in LA shelters due to lack of space—a 72% increase in dog euthanasia from the year before (Westside Today, 2024).

📌 California Leads the U.S. in Shelter Euthanasia – An estimated 17% of shelter animals in CA are euthanized, double the national average (Animal Rescuers for Change, 2024).

📌 Adoption and Foster Homes are Desperately Needed – The only way to slow this crisis is to adopt, foster, and support rescues. Every pet adopted or fostered saves a life.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

✔️ Adopt, Don’t Shop – If you want a pet, adopt from a local shelter or rescue instead of supporting businesses that profit off overbreeding.

✔️ Foster – Temporarily fostering a dog or cat saves lives and prevents euthanasia.

✔️ Report Illegal Pet Sales – If you see a business selling breeder-sourced animals in LA, report them.

✔️ Support Shelter & Rescue Work – Donate to and volunteer at local shelters.

✔️ Speak Out – Share this information and raise awareness about the unethical nature of puppy yoga businesses.

BE AN ETHICAL CONSUMER. DON’T SUPPORT PUPPY YOGA BUSINESSES.

Los Angeles is drowning in homeless animals while businesses like Puppies Yoga Los Angeles profit off breeding and exploitation. Make ethical choices. Adopt, foster, and support your local shelters instead.

📣 Tag a friend who needs to see this. Share this post to spread awareness. Let’s end the exploitation of animals for profit.