Since you asked <G>, I have taken some time off, and now back to "work" at the
NAIA Conference.
Storm
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
http://www.bestinshowdaily.com/blog/why-pet-shop-laws-affect-you/
Most breeders don’t think of themselves as having much in common with retail
pet stores. But many anti-breeder extremists already consider you one, and a
slew of legislation now appearing in dozens of communities across the country
defines just about anyone who breeds or sells a dog as a retail pet store.
Throughout the country, animal rights groups are pushing an initiative of local
proposals that target retail pet stores as a way to put both dog breeders and
retailers out of business.
Over the last year, dozens of local jurisdictions have considered proposals to
ban the sale of pets at pet stores. Proponents justify the initiatives by
claiming that sellers get their dogs from facilities they call “out-of- state
puppy mills”.
The current batch of anti- breeder proposals target legal and highly-regulated
pet stores and professional breeders as being “puppy mills” or substandard
dealers. They also create new definitions for the terms “retail pet store”,
“pet shop” or “pet seller”, which causes many breeders to think the laws don’t
impact them. But if you look at the fine print, the definitions of breeders
and retailers often include anyone who breeds or sells more than a few pets a
year.
As the proposals move from community to community, the template stays largely
the same. Proponents make inflammatory allegations about abuses by breeders
(whom they call “puppy mills”), and offer a solution that ironically, bans the
most regulated and vetted sources (including breeders and handlers subject to
federal licensing) while urging the sales or adoption of animals obtained from
sources that have little or no regulatory oversight and that are not subject to
federal oversight, state consumer protection laws or other guarantees.
In essence, these retail pet store bans do the exact opposite of their
purported intent: They remove available consumer protections for new pet
owners, limit the ability of pet owners to obtain the appropriate pet for their
lifestyle, and potentially increase public health risks for the entire
community.
Increasingly, the measures also incorporate other detrimental restrictions such
as requiring that any dogs sold be spayed/neutered prior to sale. Since many
puppies are sold at 8-12 weeks of age, this is tantamount to mandatory juvenile
spay/neuter.
The AKC believes the best way for a person to obtain a new pet is through
personal interaction with the pet’s breeder and the pet under consideration.
Years of restrictions on breeders in local communities have made obtaining a
specific type of pet bred by a local breeder increasingly difficult. Today,
it’s more important than ever that all dog lovers and those concerned about the
future of our breeds work together to preserve the freedom of individuals to
choose from a variety of pets and to find one that is the right match for each
individual’s lifestyle. Such pets can come from a variety of sources including
direct from the breeder, from a retailer, from a shelter, or a rescue.
When governments attempt to limit the legitimate sources from which a person
may obtain a pet, it not only interferes with individual freedoms, it also
increases the likelihood that a person may obtain a pet that is not a good
match for their lifestyle, and the likelihood that that animal will end up in a
shelter.
Let’s take a look at an example of a typical “pet store” proposal: Currently,
the Town of Hempstead, New York is considering a typical proposal, which could
be brought back for a hearing and further consideration in November. Key
components of the Hempstead proposal are similar to a measure passed less than
a year ago in nearby New York City. They include:
Defining a “pet dealer” as anyone other than a shelter or rescue who sells,
transfers or gives away more than 6 dogs a year. For many breeds, this is just
one litter.
Defining a “pet store” as an establishment owned or operated by a person who
sells/transfers more than 6 dogs in a year, or sells/transfers 9 dogs that they
have bred. For example, any person who has a large litter of 10 puppies and
sells, gives away or transfers 9 dogs would be defined and subject to licensing
and regulation as a retail pet store – requirements that that could be almost
impossible for residential or hobby breeders.
Requiring that “pet stores” spay or neuter all dogs before they are sold
/transferred (generally at about eight weeks of age). (Click here for
information on the dangerous of neonatal spay/neuter .) An exception exists for
dogs that have proven show records, notwithstanding that no puppy will have a
show record at 8 weeks of age.
Prohibiting “pet stores” from selling dogs from breeders that do not have a
USDA Class A license. This prohibits breeders who do not own or breed enough
animals to qualify for a USDA license from selling dogs that they bred. It
also harms legitimate, responsible pet stores that obtain pets from
highly-regulated professional breeders.
All dog lovers and community activists should be worried about these
precedents. Definitions set the terms of debate – and proposals like this will
harm responsible breeders, pet sellers, the long-term health of dogs in the
community, and the community itself by forcing the majority of future pet
owners to obtain pets from sources for which there is little or no oversight or
consumer protection, including retail rescue and rescue imports.
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