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Writer's pictureEmily Holland

Barbie’s Newborn Pups Playset: A Controversial Toy in Today’s Animal Welfare Landscape

Is Mattel’s Barbie Missing the Mark?


Bright and early this morning, as I settled down to play with my daughter, I turned on some background cartoons. It’s the best part of my day – that precious bonding time with my little one. But then, an abrupt toy commercial caught my eye. It was Mattel’s BARBIE, advertising a doll that assists a play dog in giving birth to puppies. Yes, you read that right – push down on the dog, and the puppies pop out of its abdomen. It shook me.


Instantly, I recalled the common excuses we hear for not spaying or neutering pets. “We want our children to witness the miracle of birth,” some say. Others claim, “She’s such a good dog; we want her to have a litter.” And then there’s the worst one: “We want to breed him/her.”


Meanwhile, millions of good dogs languish in shelters, waiting for homes. And animal welfare education remains scarce in schools and homes alike. So, I wondered: Is this toy appropriate in today’s animal sheltering crisis? Could Mattel have used its wildly popular brand to make a difference?


I did some research. Surprisingly, I found no one else talking about this. Parents were raving about how much their kids loved the toy, but no one seemed concerned about the message it sends. Where do I stand? Well, my daughter won’t be getting this Barbie anytime soon – or any Barbie, for that matter. We’d rather explore the real world, teaching kindness to animals and fostering a better place for all creatures.


But what about other kids? How many will put this toy on their Christmas wish list? And how many parents will buy it without discussing the real issues? Pet overpopulation, inhumane puppy mills, irresponsible backyard breeding – these are the harsh realities. Will they talk about spaying/neutering? Or will the child playing with the pretty Barbie and fake Golden Retriever think it’s cute for their dog to have multiple litters?


I don’t have all the answers. But I invite you to weigh in. Did Mattel miss the mark? Let’s start a conversation. Share your thoughts – I want to hear from you.


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-Emily Holland

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