The global phenomenon of puppy yoga, where participants practice yoga alongside puppies, has recently gained traction in Israel, with centers popping up in cities like Tel Aviv and Herzliya. However, the trend has raised alarm among animal welfare organizations, who warn that the practice could harm the well-being of the puppies involved. While countries like the Netherlands, Ireland, and Great Britain have implemented bans or restrictions, Israel lacks specific legislation governing the practice, allowing businesses to operate without oversight.
One such center, located on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv, offers yoga sessions with puppies, but a recent investigation revealed that the puppies are sometimes kept in cages or confined rooms. Despite this, the Tel Aviv municipality has yet to intervene, stating that no evidence of harm was found after an audit by the municipal veterinary service. Local authorities also reported that the puppies’ health is monitored by a veterinarian, though the center operates without a formal business license.
However, critics, including Knesset member Yasmin Sacks-Friedman, argue that the practice exploits animals for profit, highlighting concerns over the puppies’ origins from potentially cruel breeding industries. Animal rights groups, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, have raised similar concerns about the emotional and physical stress the puppies may endure, such as sleep deprivation and inadequate care.
Despite the controversy, some puppy yoga business owners defend the practice. Melissa Nabet, co-director of Puppy Yoga Tel Aviv, claims that the puppies receive adequate care and rest between sessions and are sometimes adopted by participants. Nabet also emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of combining yoga with puppies, asserting that the dogs enjoy the interaction. Similarly, Guna House in Herzliya, another business offering puppy yoga, insists that the puppies are well-cared for and supervised during sessions.
Animal welfare groups continue to call for a halt to the trend, urging people to seek alternative, ethical wellness activities. As the global conversation surrounding puppy yoga intensifies, it remains to be seen whether Israeli authorities will introduce regulations to address the potential risks to animal welfare.
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