Gemy - I have read your replies and though I do not agree with some of your points, I respect your right to have them. I have been involved with dog issues for a very long time and I would hope you respect my point of view also.
For me, I know where the problem is and what can be done if there is to be any hope of correcting improper breeding. There is no system which will eliminate it completely but there is a way to vastly make it more difficult for improper breeding to continue - and that is licencing, and inspection of kennels and then for the public to be educated to only buy puppies which have been bred in kennels licenced as a start. Unlicenced breeding will continue and the only hope there is is for the public, all the public, to not support them.
I will work with my Province to try and get something done - I certainly do not think you would discourage me or anyone from having this objective. You do things your way, I will do them my way - I will keep my mind open to see all that is happening, good and bad, and I certainly hope you will do the same.
ps if you do some research you will discover how many unwanted dogs have been adopted in the USA and in Canada through pet stores making space available for shelters, etc to use and providing staff to look assist in adoptions.
More research will tell you how few dogs are actually sold through pet stores in Canada. Example , a City in Metro Vancouver, population approximately 200,000 - total puppies sold through their pet stores in 2010 was less than 250 puppies - where did the rest come from for such a large population- direct from breeders through the internet , newspapers, magazines including Club magazines , etc. I counted recently in that City how many puppies were listed for sale in the local newspaper - there was 4 times the number in one weekend than sold through petstores in one year. I personally know many CKC breeders who openly admit that very few of their clients actually see thier facilities and they ship the puppies to the client. So many breeders do not live anywhere close to their clients. I have seen in front of my veterinarian, breeders bringing puppies in for their vaccinations and the clients meeting them in front of the vets office to "choose their puppy" after just receiving their first exam and vaccinations - you and I both know that is improper practice but it is not illegal.
I do not live in a fairy tale world where I can depend on voluntary adherence to unwritten standards - each breeder seems to have their own standards. I want to see the standards in law. I just want puppies to be bred humanely.
Obviously the problem is the breeding, not how they are sold - and breeders including CKC breeders are the source of the problem - lets deal with the source. Once that is done, then regulation of stores will happen from that - unfortuantely for puppies and the public, that is the only visible place which can be regulated as to sale and they are the smallest selling source of puppies. Set standards and enforce them through licencing and inspection.
I have given my opinion on the topic of breeding - nothing more for me to say - I will continue working to bring in licencing and breeding standards of breeders in my Province - if breeders do not like it, I do not care. I know for sure the puppies will appreciate it !
This will be my last post on this topic - I see there is at least one reader who is happy to have me shut up - to that person or persons, I am sorry my having an opinion bothers you - at least I have tried my best to make myself informed with an open mind and am prepared to listen to other peoples opinions, whether I agree or not.
To Gemy I hope one day over the next year or two to be able to say, BC has implemented a new Animal Care Act to cover breeding standards within this Province. It will be a slow process but I know it will happen. |