[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC and Petland - the contract - long
- From: Peggy <pmick12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: LIST <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:04:38 -0400
A friend wrote to Dennis Sprung expressing her dismay about the new
contract with Petland. Here's what she got back --and don't you think
they had this prepared before they even told the Delegates? I
do............
Peggy
<>Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate and understand the concerns
of our breeders and dog owners. We hope the information provided below
is helpful.
<>At the September meeting of the AKC Delegates, the AKC announced a
program in which Petland may facilitate the individual AKC registration
process for eligible dogs sold in their stores. Today, many of these
AKC-registrable dogs are registered with other registries or not at
all. Several questions emerged following that announcement. We provide
the following details to reduce misunderstandings about the program.
What kind of agreement does the AKC have with Petland?
Following are some of the basic facts about this plan:
* Only AKC-registrable dogs are eligible for this program. The
program does not provide registration to dogs not otherwise
eligible for registration. We are doing this in large part to
assure that AKC-registrable puppies already in these stores are
registered with AKC.
* AKC will educate Petland staff about the value and importance of
AKC registration. AKC will highlight the opportunity for
participation in appropriate AKC events and the importance of
programs like AKC Canine Good Citizen to promote responsible dog
ownership.
* Petland will encourage new puppy owners to register with the AKC.
Petland will help the customer complete the AKC registration form
online, similar to the current online registration process. The
customer will pay the entire AKC registration fee in the store.
Petland may charge the customer a small processing fee to cover
their cost. Registering in the store increases the likelihood that
the puppy owner will register their new puppy with the AKC.
Research has shown that if dog owners don't register their dog
soon after acquiring it, they are less likely to do so in the future.
* This program allows the AKC inspections team to continue its
active presence in the commercial sector. If puppies sold in
retail pet stores are not AKC registrable, AKC loses the ability
to inspect and influence the care and conditions in pet stores and
the breeding kennels that supply the pet stores.
* AKC and Petland are not engaged in an endorsement, partnership,
affiliation or joint venture. A written agreement between AKC and
Petland exists, in large part, to protect the AKC and ensure that
all applicable AKC Registration Rules and Procedures are followed.
* AKC does not endorse any breeder or seller of dogs. Our central
message about how to buy a puppy -- to thoroughly research the
breed and the breeder and to consult AKC resources, starting with
the parent club -- has not and will not change.
* This program has not changed AKC's registration policies. The AKC
has always registered dogs sold through pet retailers as long as
the pet store and breeder are in compliance with our standards for
accurate record keeping and meet the AKC's care and conditions
requirements. Read our Compliance fact sheet at:
http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=6
<http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=6>. The
program with Petland offers AKC an opportunity to communicate the
benefits of registration and involve new puppy owners in th world
of AKC but does not imply an endorsement any more than AKC papers
have in the past. It will ensure that AKC inspectors and
investigators continue to have access to all kennels breeding AKC
puppies. This will continue enforcement of our care and conditions
policies and compliance with record-keeping.
Why is AKC encouraging the registration of all registrable dogs?
* Today, many AKC-registrable dogs sold by pet retailers are not
registered with the AKC by their owner. Less than 50 percent of
AKC-registrable dogs are registered with the AKC. The AKC
strategic plan targets this problem in all customer groups,
including pet stores. When these new owners do not register, AKC
and our clubs lose the ability to encourage them to become part of
the fancy or to educate them about responsible dog ownership. We
feel we can best promote our values and bring people into the
world of AKC events by reaching out to new dog owners no matter
where they choose to purchase their dog.
* AKC's ability to influence legislation and public opinion is
directly linked to the number of dog owners we represent.
Ultimately, AKC's ability to take a leadership stand on any issue
is closely tied to the size of our constituency (the number of
people with AKC registered dogs).
* AKC can best serve the interests of dogs and their owners by
maintaining stringent standards and promoting the benefits of AKC
registration. With more than 20 different for-profit businesses
acting as canine "registries" in the U.S., it is important that
the AKC distinguish itself as the genuine purebred registry. Many
of these for-profit businesses will "register" dogs with little or
no proof of lineage and none have any inspections or compliance
standards. These businesses actively and aggressively work to
convert AKC registrations into applications for their listing
services. The fact that AKC can inspect kennels and pet shops and
take action against them whenever necessary protects the welfare
of all AKC puppies.
* AKC's ability to offer important programs is directly linked to
our annual registrations. In addition to subsidizing AKC events,
registration fees provide support for a range of programs and
services including the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the AKC
Museum of the Dog. Registration income also provides an important
source of funding for our scholarship programs, veterinary
outreach, our compliance department, combating unfair canine
legislation, providing disaster relief and much more.
What else is being done to promote AKC Registration?
We are less than a year into a five year strategic plan that has already
introduced a suite of benefits and resources for the fancy including a
breeder newsletter, full litter registration option, litter coupons,
online accounts and enhancements to online dog registration. In
addition, AKC has introduced new registration benefits like dog.com
e-certificates for both breeders and individual registrants and
complimentary first office visits at participating veterinarians. As we
continue implementing the plan, additional programs for breeders and new
dog owners will be introduced. We have made a significant investment in
a diversified advertising campaign that communicates our mission and
promotes the value of AKC registration and the integrity of our
Registry. Our message emboded in our advertising tagline "We're more
than champion dogs. We're the dog's champion" has reached almost 200
million people in print and broadcast media during the past year.
How will this impact rescue?
Dogs will be sold in pet stores whether or not AKC registers them.
However the AKC feels that by bringing more registrants into the AKC
fold we have the opportunity to educate them and involve them in
programs that promote responsible dog ownership.
What prompted this agreement?
The AKC has undertaken a strategic plan to reverse the significant
decline in registrations that has occurred during the last decade. The
plan includes a number of separate initiatives. Together these
initiatives are designed to regain market share, while maintaining a
registry of unequaled integrity and size. The approach outlined in the
plan is to increase registrations by addressing the needs of all
customer groups - fanciers, breeders, pet owners and the commercial
channel. This focus stems from a belief that purebred dogs are best
served by the AKC, and that breeding programs are improved with our
involvement. This inclusive approach helps position AKC as the voice for
all dogs and all dog owners.
What are the next steps?
As a result of the questions raised both during and after the September
Delegates Meeting the Staff will continue reviewing and communicating
with our core constituency. A meeting will be held prior to the October
Board Meeting which will include a number of Delegates and fanciers to
discuss this initiative. The AKC Board of Directors will discuss this
topic during the October Board Meeting. The program is under review by
staff and management. Further details will be provided when they are
available.
You may direct comments to:
· Email: puppyreg@xxxxxxx <mailto:puppyreg@xxxxxxx>
· Mail: AKC Operations, 5580 Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC
27606-3390
Thank you,
<>David Roberts
Assistant Vice President
Registration and Customer Service<>
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