akc letter to Oprah

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv

This thread isn't about how much better AKC is compared to other registries. It's about them contacting Oprah after a show trying to raise awareness of the horror of puppy mills and the link to pet stores. If it wasn't such a sad subject, it would almost be funny. They help support these mills. Many people won't buy a dog unless it's AKC registered and they are sold in pet stores. Yes, you can find them in my neck of the woods. New registries might be cutting in on some of the action but you can still get AKC registered puppies from stores.

Perhaps I'm just misinformed (and maybe it's just NJ). Does the AKC register puppy mill dogs or not?
If they do, how can they profit from the mills, supply the papers for puppies sold to stores and yet be considered blameless?

It just sounded to me like you were blaming AKC for the existance of puppy mills. And there are alot of other companies that make $$ off of puppy mills, not just AkC. Like the dog food companies for one. The mills must feed them something. I am sure they dont go out an shoot rabbits. So lets just make a list of who to blame!

[Itspuppyluv]

Originally Posted by yorkiekist

It just sounded to me like you were blaming AKC for the existance of puppy mills. And there are alot of other companies that make $$ off of puppy mills, not just AkC. Like the dog food companies for one. The mills must feed them something. I am sure they dont go out an shoot rabbits. So lets just make a list of who to blame!

No, my response wasn't about blaming the AKC for puppy mills. It's about how I feel about the letter they wrote Oprah. They would like to be on a future show about how to stop puppy mills while they do business with them? Unbelievable. I find it insulting and can't believe they had the nerve to speak up about the show like they are against mills.

[livingdustmops]

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=124624
First off let me say, I believe the AKC is a top registry for dogs but they also have their down side. I suppose I was pretty naive when I first got into rescue and thought that any organization that benefited from dogs would also help to protect these animals. I was mistaken.

The AKC has signed a contract with Petland Discount stores to get them to register the dogs they sell as AKC animals. That's right -- the AKC is making the sale of pet store puppies a core part of their business plan.

The AKC business plan is that the stores will charge the AKC registration fee at the time of sale and register the puppy online. My understanding is that the Board of Directors of the AKC voted 12 to 1 to enter into this contract.
http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com...and-naive.html
http://www.thedogpress.com/SideEffec...&Hunt.10.3.asp
http://www.nopuppymills.com/index.php?page=hunteletter

Here is a very interesting report from AKC in regards to high volume breeders:

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/specia...VBC_finalA.pdf

I would be thrilled if some of this information is outdated and AKC is protecting the dogs not just the pedigree’s.

Also I am really struggling with the math on this information:

“In 2007, our team of 15 inspectors visited over 5,600 kennels throughout the country. AKC spends over $6 million each year to inspect our customers, thereby ensuring the integrity of our registry and the proper care and conditions for dogs registered with us.”

$6 million dollars for 15 people to travel the country and is 15 inspectors enough? Keep in mind they are only looking at kennels that have 7 or more litters a year.

The AKC is a non profit organization but look at their 2006 Annual Report:

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/annual...2006report.pdf

Total revenues of $72.3 million in 2006 were comparable to 2005. Core registration revenues for dogs and litters were $2.3 million lower than the prior year. Royalty and sponsorship income was higher by $1.3 million or 21% due to the success of AKC’s licensing programs. Recording and event fees rose by 9% primarily due to increased entries in Agility and Rally. CAR’s enrollment revenues declined by $1.1 million or 25% from 2005. Revenues for 2006 and 2005, respectively, include $3.9 million and $3.2 million for the approximate values of in-kind contributed services received primarily in the form of donated advertising on television, radio stations, and in print, which is included in operating costs related to public education. Interest and dividend income for 2006 increased 41%, primarily due to higher dividends received from investments. Operating expenses of $69.1 million increased by 6% from 2005. Payroll and related benefits rose by 5% over 2005, primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions associated with the pension and other postretirement benefit plans. All other operating expenses increased by 6.6% to support program costs.

I also struggle with this comment: “Our commitment to health research continued in 2006 with a donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation of $1.2 million, bringing our to-date total contributions to $15 million. Our $170,000 donation to the AKC Museum of the Dog helped preserve the history of the purebred dog.” AKC was started in 1884 which means it has been in existence for 124 years but yet they have only donated 15 million for health research.

I do believe AKC is better than all the other registries in the US but in my opinion they have a long way to go to protect the dogs.

[iloveYorkiesFL]

Does anybody know where I would be able to see the puppymill episode? I tried youtube and had no luck. Her website just highlights the show... so that didn't help much!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv

No, my response wasn't about blaming the AKC for puppy mills. It's about how I feel about the letter they wrote Oprah. They would like to be on a future show about how to stop puppy mills while they do business with them? Unbelievable. I find it insulting and can't believe they had the nerve to speak up about the show like they are against mills.

I totally agree! It's all about money in the end and AKC is no better.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I totally agree! It's all about money in the end and AKC is no better.

Everything in this country is about money in the end, but that said the more people who support AKC, the more clout they will have. While it's far from perfect, it still the best thing we have going.

[KitKat]

Originally Posted by jeanief

2) As already discussed, USDA licensing does not guarantee humane treatment of the dogs in mills. Also, remember that the USDA licenses and oversees factory farming. What the USDA considers acceptable in factory farms outrage and horrify many people who are made aware of what exactly goes on behind the closed doors of the industry. The animals in these situations are treated as product, and are not given the consideration they deserve. Humane treatment and quality of life are not factors deemed worthy of attention. The situation at puppy mills is very similar. The dogs are merely treated as money-making items.

3) The sales pitch, "AKC registered" has been used repeatedly by the puppy mill/pet shop industry and has duped the public into believing that if a dog bares the AKC registered title, it must be of quality. The fact of the matter is that the American Kennel Club (AKC) is merely a registering body. "Papers" on a dog mean that the animal is certifiably purebred. It does not guarantee anything else. There are no requirements necessary in order for a dog to be registered other than having AKC-registered parents. Health, temperament, or where a dog came from, have no bearing on the matter.
I would say that AKC is a better club than most. However, mills and USDA breeders can register with AKC and do. Petstores sell AKC dogs. Large USDA breeders can pass AKC inspections. We need to find a way that to change the laws so dogs are not governed by the sames laws for treatment as cattle !