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12-06-2005, 10:34 AM | #1 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| AKC Testifies Before Senate on PAWS legislation AKC Chairman Testifies Before Senate on PAWS New Bill Language Would Exempt Qualified Breeders December 2005 Sen. Rick Santorum, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation, listened attentively as AKC Chairman Ronald Menaker and six other witnesses testified in support of the newly-modified Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) on November 8th. The revised bill will now include an exemption for breeders who sell dogs or cats only at retail and are in compliance with kennel inspection standards certified by the Secretary of Agriculture. Dealers will also have the option of a third-party compliance inspection. In his testimony, Menaker noted that PAWS will close current loopholes in the Animal Welfare Act and will also address marketplace changes that permit unregulated importers and high-volume breeders to sell large numbers of dogs. “These problems need to be addressed for the sake of dogs and the pet buying public,” said Menaker. “However, it is also essential that we maintain the sport and hobby of purebred dog breeding and exhibiting as it is today, an activity regulated by our own rigorous compliance standards.” The new exemption provision and other changes secured through AKC’s work with Sen. Santorum and other interest groups helps PAWS achieve that balance. The newly-added provision and clarifying language to PAWS will ensure that you will be exempt if you: Breed six litters or less. Sell at retail 25 dogs or less. Breed or sell more than those thresholds if you are inspected by a non-profit organization that receives federal approval such as AKC. Are a shelter or rescue organization that does not import for resale or operate for profit. In addition, the modified version of PAWS eliminates any reference to hunting and security dogs. Persons who sell hunting dogs will be treated exactly the same as persons who sell dogs as pets. The additional exemption for those in compliance with standards of not-for-profit organizations, such as the AKC, whose kennel inspection programs and standards are certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, would apply to persons selling dogs and cats solely at retail. The kennel standards certified by the Secretary must be at least equivalent to those required by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act. This new provision will permit the USDA to focus its inspection activities on currently unregulated high volume breeders and brokers without imposing federal regulation on hobby and show breeders already in compliance with equivalent or higher standards. Other witnesses at the subcommittee hearing included John Hoffman, an attorney and dog fancier who owns Miniature Schnauzers. Hoffman provided powerful testimony and evidence surrounding the large number of underage and unhealthy puppies that are imported and sold to unsuspecting consumers each year. Witness testimonies, along with additional coverage of the hearing and an extensive Question and Answer sheet about the newly amended PAWS, can be found here. AKC is extremely pleased with recent developments regarding PAWS. As Mr. Menaker stated in
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
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12-06-2005, 10:47 AM | #3 |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| Just another reason to hate Rick Santorum Basically, this legis says that puppymills who are inspected and pass USDA regulations (which, as we know, are minimal) are exempt from the PAWS provisions
__________________ Kristy & Stewie |
12-06-2005, 10:48 AM | #4 |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| They're saying the AKC is not for profit? Is that really true?????!!!
__________________ Kristy & Stewie |
12-06-2005, 10:50 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 14K Club Member | Quote:
__________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley | |
12-06-2005, 10:52 AM | #6 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 815
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Kathy | |
12-06-2005, 10:52 AM | #7 | |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| Quote:
I agree. I was thinking about the DNA testing -- So expensive!!!! With regard to this legislation - I think that the breed clubs like the YTCA should just SUCK IT UP and support this legislation; it does way more good than harm if it is passed in full. Who cares if it takes them a bit more time to do the paperwork and pay a small fee for a license???
__________________ Kristy & Stewie | |
12-06-2005, 10:56 AM | #9 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| Stopping Puppy Mills - Legislations One other time I had tried to get some discussion going about why YTCA was against the PAWS legislation (this is the law many of you are endorsing to stop puppy mills) and I received this PM from a breeder on why YTCA was against the bill. I have read on many sites some of the controversy flying about the bill. Reading the note from AKC it looks like they are trying to improve some of these situations of why YTCA is against the bill. I cannot begin to understand all the points from a breeders standpoint because I am not a breeder but I was concerned from a rescue point because I believe you can never assume anything with the law. What I do understand is that nothing will change without legislation and I strongly believe everyone needs to understand what exactly is going on and not push through a bill based on emotion without knowing as much of the facts as you can. I am just in the learning process myself, trying to see all sides and hoping to open up a dialoge on this bill. ************************************************** ******** Yes YTCA is against the PAWS bill. If one understands the actual bill.....it will be very bad for breeders like myself. The ONLY intent of the PAWS bill is to require small breeders to obtain a USDA license.....most of us cannot get a USDA license because the dogs MUST live in a kennel.....there are no provisions in the USDA regs for dogs or cats to be whelped and raised in a home enviroment. The bill also REQUIRES any one selling a breeding/intact animal to have a USDA license. This will put an end to amost all show dogs. No one will be able to obtain or sell a intact show dog.....nor will a breeder be able to improve breeding stock. It will mean ALL breeding will be for producing ONLY pets....and that is NOT what my intent is......I don't breed to provide people PETS. I breed to improve the breed....so many many breeders like myself will simply stop breeding. This means that in a short while...the only pet available will come from either a pet store or commerical kennel....no more socialized happy puppies raised in someone's kitchen or whelped in someone's bedroom. I don't think the general public is aware of exactly what this bill intends to do. IT WILL ONLY INCREASE THE COMMERICAL BREEDER.....business. And rescue? forget it...."they" keep saying rescue is exempt.....but to date there is nothing in this bill S1139 that would exempt a rescue from the smae USDA rules! Rescue will suffer greatly! Imagine that... AND be aware.....there is not one word of the PAWS bill S1139 which addresses the current conditions of USDA licensed kennels.....not one word. The USDA puppymills will continue business as usual.....in fact they will have more business as the demand for puppies is increased. Go here to read more......READ EVERYTHING! http://pet-law.com/
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
12-06-2005, 11:13 AM | #10 | |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| Quote:
__________________ Kristy & Stewie | |
12-06-2005, 11:23 AM | #11 | |
Donating YT 14K Club Member | Quote:
__________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley | |
12-06-2005, 04:10 PM | #12 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,947
| my problem with this bill is that when you go over the "limit" by say one or 2 pups even, the "hobby breeder" will then be forced to be usda liscensed and abide by their guide lines and inspections instead of akc's, which will not pass for everyone because we all have different types of homes, and we dont keep our dogs in a "facility". i don't want to be forced to keep my babies in any friken building, otherwise, i would not breed. i've never had 25 puppies in one year, no where near it, but i am thinking long term; if i had 5 girls who had 5+ pups each in a paticular year, there goes my limit or anyone else's in the same situation. i find the bill very unfair to the small hobby and the show breeders. i think it's unfair to place us in the same catergory as commercial breeders. the usda has different rules and guidelines at this time than akc concerning what is an appropriate area, "facility" to raise animals. everyone over their limit i am assuming would fall under usda rules, which i would never pass! reason being? my dogs are raised in my home and live in my home. not in a facility built to usda standards and practices. * i also wanted to say that i've been reading about "paws" for many months and i got my info off of the "say no to paws" website (s) and also by speaking personally to two different hobby breeders who had researched the bill....just wanted to clarify that i'm no expert here on this subject, but i have been following the bill and all the hoop-la associated with it for a while...thanks Last edited by yorkiemom1970; 12-06-2005 at 04:13 PM. |
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