Frenchie searches for happy new home after major operations to help her breathe

A French bulldog who started life in poor conditions and then needed life-saving surgery is finally ready to find her happy ever after.

Two-year-old Frenchie Amelie was rescued by the RSPCA after being found living in unsuitable conditions. When she arrived at Block Fen Animal Centre, in Cambridgeshire, staff quickly realised that she was struggling to breathe.

Kennel supervisor Tiffany Saunders said: “Poor Amelie has had a rough start to life and has also had major health problems. We were really concerned about her breathing so soon after arriving with us she had surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) – a group of conditions that make it very difficult for flat-faced dogs to breathe properly.”

Amelie had an operation to remove excess tissue from her soft palette as well as having her nostrils widened.

Tiffany added: “She now has a much better quality of life but any adopter will need to carefully monitor her breathing – especially during exercise and particularly during warm weather.”

Amelie is just one of a surging number of brachycephalic (or flat-faced) dogs who find it impossible to carry out normal dog activities such as walking, playing, or even sleeping.

This week, the RSPCA launched a new campaign Save Our Breath urging the public not to buy breeds who cannot live normal lives due to the irresponsible way they’ve been selectively bred.

The number of French bulldog puppies being registered with the Kennel Club soared by 1,317%, between 2011 and 2020. This is also reflected in the number of Frenchies who are coming into RSPCA care having been abandoned or signed over, usually due to the cost of their veterinary needs. While Staffies still account for the largest proportion of dogs coming into the RSPCA, their numbers are steadily declining, while the number of Frenchies increased by 1,567% from three in 2015 to 50 in 2020.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “For years we have deliberately been breeding dogs in our pursuit for extreme body shapes including shorter, flatter faces. We’ve created generations who struggle to breathe, struggle with heat regulation, are chronically tired and can’t exercise without collapsing, and have to sleep with their head propped up on a pillow or with a toy in their mouth, just to help them breathe.

“In dogs, particularly, this has become such a huge welfare concern that we are left with only one option; to urge people not to buy them at all. Unfortunately, it is too risky to buy these pets because it is practically impossible to find a healthy one. This is a growing animal crisis and urgent intervention is required.”

With the surge in demand for pets during lockdown there are fears that more brachycephalic dogs, cats and rabbits will have been bred by breeders resulting in even more sickly animals who require expensive veterinary treatment to help them carry out the simplest of everyday tasks such as walking and playing.

And the RSPCA fears that more of these animals could be abandoned or relinquished to charity as their owners struggle to cope with costly veterinary bills as the cost of living soars.

The public has an important role to play in helping to improve the future health of these breeds. We need to stop seeing these pets as cute and recognise the serious health issues they face.

Our Save Our Breath campaign seeks to educate the public about the impact of this type of breeding on dog welfare. We’d like people to consider getting an alternative breed or consider a crossbreed that has a lower risk of problems.

For Amelie, RSPCA staff are hoping to find her the perfect forever home. She needs owners who can help her adapt to life in a home and can introduce her slowly to socialising with other dogs and the big wide world. She can be reactive around other dogs and needs to be the only pet in her new home. Ideally she’d like a rural home which is quiet and calm. She could live with older children

Tiffany added: “We don’t believe Amelie has ever lived in a home environment before and she’ll need to be taught from scratch what that means. Although we did rehome her she was sadly returned to us because her adopters were struggling with her behaviour around other dogs.

“Amelie loves people and is a real fuss pot! She loves being stroked and getting any attention she can. She can be a little wary of new faces but soon makes friends and then she is your mate for life.”

Find out more about Amelie by contacting the Block Fen team on 0300 123 0726 or [email protected].

For those wishing to get involved in the Save Our Breath, there will be two surveys available to members of the public. One survey will collect crucial information on brachycephalic animals in advertising, while the other will allow the public to share their own experiences with these animals. This vital research will help inform the RSPCA’s experts as it works to protect future generations of these animals.

Supporters can also sign up to the Give Animals a Voice campaign network for the latest information and access to campaign materials.