Karmann Ludwig

PETA penned a letter to BGSU senior George Carlson, asking him to keep Pudge away from football games, where he has gained notoriety and fame. BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Animal rights activist group PETA has penned a letter requesting that Bowling Green State University (BGSU) locker room cat, Pudge - whose fame has exploded seemingly overnight - be kept away from football games, citing concerns for his health.  PETA wrote the letter to BGSU senior long snapper George Carlson, who first brought Pudge to the locker room to cheer up a teammate. PETA, in its letter, asked that he leave Pudge at home instead of taking him to university home games.  The reason for the request, PETA said, was that Pudge is a breed of cat with a "cartoonishly flat" face that causes, as a result of selective breeding, breathing difficulty, as well as other eye conditions and disorders.  Pudge has become a social media sensation in the last few weeks. But PETA claims that promoting Pudge will cause other people to seek out flat-faced cats from breeders who "purposely breed these cats to have unnatural characteristics," damaging their health.  Pudge has generated interest from all across the country, partly through interactions on social media. T-shirts are now being sold in his honor, with the Falcon feline wearing a helmet and holding a football in its paw. Since then, Pudge was seen at BGSU's season opener last week, which he attended in a carrier. He was then taken out of the carrier and held up like Simba from The Lion King, before he was returned to his carrier.  Pudge is scheduled for a meet-and-greet at a Pudge Party in the Ziggy Zone Student Tailgate on Sept. 13, according to BGSU. WTOL 11 reached out to BGSU for comment. BGSU's Assistant Athletic Director, Vince Briedis, offered the following statement, and confirmed there is a licensed veterinarian present at all games to monitor Pudge: "Bowling Green State University thanks PETA for its concern for Pudge, the beloved pet of George Carlson who has endeared himself to millions around the world. The University prioritizes Pudge’s health and safety at all times. At every BGSU football game, a licensed veterinarian is present to carefully monitor all aspects of Pudge’s well-being." PETA's full letter is included below.  "Dear Mr. Carlson: I’m writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 10.4 million members and supporters worldwide. It’s obvious how much you adore your cat, Pudge, and enjoy showing him off to your fans and teammates, but we’re writing to ask that you leave Pudge at home—starting with tomorrow’s game.   Here's the ugly truth that breeders are hiding in their playbook: Cats like Pudge are bred to have cartoonishly flat faces, which cause them a lifetime of debilitating health problems. Their abnormally shaped skulls cause their eyes to bulge out, subjecting them to excruciatingly painful eye conditions and disorders. And having a smushed-in face means their nostrils and trachea are almost squeezed shut, making breathing a constant struggle for them. Do you ever hear Pudge wheezing, snorting, or snoring? Those sounds are not normal for cats—they are signs that he is struggling for air. Imagine having to breathe through a straw—that is what life is like for breathing-impaired breeds like Pudge.  We know Pudge is adored by many, but promoting him to your fans will likely send people in search of their own breathing-impaired cat and drive them straight to breeders who purposely breed these cats to have unnatural characteristics that come at the expense of their health.  Please will you give Pudge a bye week, or better yet, let him stay home for the rest of the season? We’ll give you an extra point if you add ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ to your Pudge merchandise. Doing so would be a game-changer for the millions of homeless animals in shelters.   Bowling Green State University’s motto is “Be the Good,” and we believe you have the power to do just that for Pudge and other cats like him. Thank you for your consideration."