January 18, 2012
DOG LEGISLATIONALERTS! |
| See Page 2 For More FAKC News! |
AKC/Eukanuba is
a success for locals
The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, held this past weekend, was a resounding success for the local community of dog breeders and owners. The national championship was preceded by three days of shows held by the Brevard Kennel Club, Central Florida Kennel Club, and Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay
Florida Today newspaper featured the successes of Brevard County exhibitors in this article.
The annual series of shows will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando in December for the next four years.
Dog fanciers go on
offense in legislature
Bills introduced into the 2012 Florida legislature show that dog fanciers finally are taking the offensive instead of having to oppose bills proposed by H$U$ and other anti-breeding whackos. Other articles on this page show that sites have been aimed against phony statistics claiming that animal shelters are overloaded and masses of abandoned dogs have to be killed.
HB 597 and HB 735 and SB 818, if passed, would require that public and nonprofit animal shelters keep detailed records of animals taken in and their dispositions. No longer would such statistics either be made up or non-existent. HB 735 also would require that dogs imported into Florida by animal shelters must be subjected to the same veterinary examinations now required of dogs imported for sale. This law would discourage animal shelters from inflating their numbers by importing dogs from overseas and pretending they have been collected within their local jurisdictions.
Falsified statistics and inflated kill records have been tools used by animal rights whackos to justify their anti-breeder and anti-owner legislative proposals of forced neutering and limitations on numbers of dogs allowed in breeders' homes.
Also, HB 997 would end Miami-Dade County's 20+ year ban of "pit bull" dogs.
Animal Rescue Act to restrict euthanizations by animal shelters
HB 597/SB
818 requires shelters to
notify rescue groups in advance
Florida House Bill 597 and Senate Bill 818, the “Animal Rescue Act”, would require that all animal shelters which euthanize animals to maintain a registry of animal rescue groups that are willing to accept animals that are subject to euthanization.
A shelter will not be permitted to euthanize an animal until the shelter has notified all rescue groups on the euthanization registry which have indicated a willingness to take an animal of that type. The notification must take place at least 24 hours before the animal is scheduled to be euthanized. An animal may not be euthanized if a rescue group or person on the euthanization registry indicates a willingness to take possession of the animal. Exceptions to the advance notice requirement are terminally ill and suffering animals and dangerous dogs.
The bill also will require shelters to keep monthly and annual summaries that include the number of animals, by species type, which were impounded, were euthanized, died, were lost, or were stolen, were returned to their owners, were adopted, were transferred to other shelters or rescue groups, or remain in the custody of the agency or shelter.
FAKC's Magnets For Sale!
Deliver Our Message, Loud & Clear!
FAKC is offering these colorful, to-the-point, car magnets at cost, $5.00 each, plus shipping. Buy one for yourself or in bulk for your club. We have hundreds of them. To order, contact FAKC president Leah James.
Obama Regime Backs Federal
Anti-Breeder PUPS Legislation
The federal Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) legislation drafted by H$U$ and introduced in 2011 as Senate Bill 707 and House Bill 835, has received the support of the Obama administration.
PUPS would require anyone who owns or co-owns dogs that produce 50 or more puppies offered for sale in a 12-month period to be regulated under existing USDA dog “dealer” regulations. These regulations are designed for high-volume commercial kennels that produce puppies for wholesale, and require a USDA commercial license, maintenance of specified commercial kennel engineering standards and regular inspections.
PUPS' definition of a “high volume retail breeder” would be anyone with “an ownership interest in or custody of one or more breeding female dogs.” It defines a “breeding female” as an intact female dog aged 4 months or older.
Write to your U.S, congressmen and U.S. senators about your opposition to PUPS.
Keep track of this H$U$-drafted anti-breeder bill on the AKC website.
Our advocates at the
Florida legislature
Read here about our representatives before the Florida legislature, Mixon & Associates (M&A) and its principals, cavalier King Charles spaniel breeders M. Juhan Mixon, Pat C. Mixon, and their daughter, Corrine Mixon.
 "Our
goal is to make the public think of breeding dogs and cats like
drunk driving and smoking."-- Kim Sturla |
Animal Rights, Animal Welfare: Which is it?
NAIA explains the difference
NAIA sample letter to veterinarians
The extremists have kidnapped "animal rights" and given it a ludicrous new definition intended to give legal rights to animals and make humans their enemies. Compare some important differences between animal welfare and "animal rights":
-- Animal welfare celebrates the bond between animals and humans; animal rights seeks to sever that bond.
-- Animal welfare grows and improves as we learn more and more about animals, their behavior, and their management. Animal rights remains stagnant with its dogma of "no more animal use ever."
The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) presents a thoughtful essay on the differences between animal welfare and "animal rights", as defined by the whackos. Read NAIA's essay here.
NAIA also offers a sample letter for you to explain to your veterinarians the difference between Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. Click here to view the letter.
Unfortunately, many vets become indoctrinated in school by PETA and H$U$ (that's were some of their money goes) to believe that purebred breeding is a moral sin. Don't let your vets continue down that path.
| Where does all of H$U$'s money go? |
 “It
goes to lobbying, it goes to political contributions, it goes to pay
huge staff salaries and benefits," said David Martosko, Director of
Research,
Center for
Consumer Freedom. |
Clubs: Join the FAKC now!
Not a Member of FAKC Yet?
If your Florida dog club is a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) or an AKC licensed affiliate, your club may join the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs. Download a Membership Application now!
Download These Posters To Fight Anti-Pet Legislation
AKC issues podcast on vaccination protocols
Click here to listen to podcast
The American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation released a podcast on November 18 on the topic of the different types of core and non-core vaccines available, what makes up the vaccines, and the best way to time the vaccination process.
Dr. Christy Petersen of Iowa State University presents the information. Listen to the podcast on-line here.
FAKC’s War Room is where to go to battle anti-pet legislation. All of your weapons are there for you to send your messages to your legislators:
•
The Actual Bills & Ordinances
• Talking
Points for Your Letters
• How to Word
Them Diplomatically
• Your
Legislators’ Names & Addresses & Emails
•
Write Letters to
Newspapers & Other Media
|
H$U$
Watch HumaneWatch.org |
AKC publishes free PR tips for clubs' shows
"Spreading the Word" download here
The American Kennel Club has published "Spreading the Word", a free booklet of public relations tips and tools, for clubs to raise the awareness of their upcoming shows, trials, and events. Every dog club should distribute this booklet to its event chairmen and secretaries. Download it here.
Hillsborough County Holds Anti-Tethering Hearing Jan. 19
At 1 PM, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
BE THERE!!!
The Hillsborough County Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed anti-tethering amendments to the county's animal control ordinance. All county dog lovers are urged to attend this meeting, to assure that your voices are heard on this sensitive topic.
Pasco County plans
anti-breeder ordinance
Bans breedings without arbitrary permits
Proposed bill reeks of H$U$-influence
Next public hearing Jan. 24 @ 1:30 PM
BE THERE!!!
The Pasco County Commission will meet on January 24 to consider prohibiting many purebred dog breedings unless the breeders pass arbitrary home inspections and are issued permits.
Pasco County breeders and FAKC representatives managed to convince the commissioners at their December 6 hearing that more time was needed to consider the changes in the ordinance.
The bill, CS12-008, defines "breeder" as anyone who breeds more than two litters or 20 puppies per year. Anyone planning to breed three or more litters must apply for a permit each year, which may be approved or rejected at the whim of the county after an inspection of the breeder's premises.
The inspection includes the usual H$U$-inspired list, including vague and subjective dog cage specifications, ventilation, lighting, food storage, and sanitation. See the inspection list at Section 14-106 on page 16 of the ordinance.
The bill also includes an anti-tethering provision, Section 14-100 on page 13.
Call, write, and email the Pasco County commissioners and also plan to attend the public hearing of this bill on January 24 at 1:30 P.M. at the West Pasco Government Center Board Room, First Floor, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, Florida. Also, check the NAIA Trust website for talking points.
HB 997 would end BSL for Miami-Dade County
House Bill 997, introduced by Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Miami) would remove from Florida's Dangerous Dogs Statute, Section 767.14, the sentence allowing local and county anti-breed ordinances passed prior to October 1990. That sentence has enabled Miami-Dade County to continue to enforce its 1989 ordinance banning "pit bull" dogs. This type of law often is referred to as "breed specific legislation (BSL)"
The bill does not yet have a companion bill in the Senate.
HB 735 makes animal shelters keep records
Imports by shelters must be examined
Florida House Bill 735, introduced by Rep. Elizabeth W. Porter (R - Lake City), would amend Section 823.15, Florida Statutes, to require all public and private animal shelters to keep accurate records on all animals taken in. Categories of data include species (dogs, cats, etc.) the sources of the animals (surrendered by owners, strays, out-of-state imports, etc.), and dispositions (adoptions, reclaimed by owners, transfers to other shelters, euthanizations, etc.)
A purpose of HB 735 is to determine which animal shelter programs result in improved adoption rates and the reduction in euthanasia rates for animals in shelters and animal control agencies. Each shelter must state its policy of routine euthanizations of dogs based on size or breed alone. The bill provides that dogs euthanized due to breed, temperament, or size must be recorded and included in the total euthanasia percentage calculation.
HB 735 also would amend Section 828.29, which regulates the importation of dogs into the state for sale. The bill adds importations for adoption to the existing statute, and removes the exemption of public and nonprofit shelters from the requirement that all imports be examined by veterinarians.
Senate
Bill 618 creates
animal abuse registry
Florida Senate Bill 618 would create an Animal Abuse Registry, called “Dexter’s Law”, which would require all adults convicted of animal abuse offenses to be registered annually, to keep track of their whereabouts. The bill was introduced by Sen. Mike Fasano (R - New Port Richey).
Join FAKC on Facebook!
We are crawling into the 21st Century, which includes
creating a
Facebook page. There are many ways to communicate these days, and
Facebook seems to be one of the easiest for many dog owners. So feel free to
click on our Facebook icon in the upper left corner of the page. And,
if you like what you see, let us know by clicking the LIKE button, too.
FAKC members elect
Leah James as prez
The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs held its annual meeting on August 14, electing Leah James as president, succeeding Susan Smith, who has served tirelessly as FAKC's chief executive since December 2008. President James has been 1st vice president.
The association also elected three vice presidents, Janet Barber, Cheryl Coe, and Tommy Caisango, and its secretary, Rod Russell, and its treasurer, Gloria Robinson, for the next twelve months.
CLICK ON & READ
FAKC President's
Summer 2011 Message
AVMA plans Animal Rights vet school course
Animal Rights whackos embedded within the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) headquarters met in June to draft a manifesto for teaching courses at veterinary schools in the field of Animal Rights.
Calling themselves the "Model Animal Welfare Curriculum Planning Group" (MADCOW), their goal is to produce vet school graduates who become leaders in the field of Animal Rights. MADCOW intends to "collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, including veterinary schools, species and practice groups, and governmental agencies", and, of course, H$U$ and PETA.
MADCOW plans to present its model animal "welfare" curriculum to the AVMA Executive Board in the Spring of 2012. More information is here.
| From H$U$'s Wayne Pacelle's Playbook: |
|
“We have no problem with the extinction
of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective
breeding.” |
All AKC puppies
should be registered
As part of the “front lines” of purebred dogs, AKC relies on its loyal breeders to communicate the benefits and importance of AKC registration to their puppy buyers. To ensure a strong future for you, your fellow breeders, and all purebred dogs, AKC needs all of its breeders to make a concerted effort to ensure that every puppy in each litter you have bred gets registered with the AKC. AKC has implemented a new initiative to help you accomplish this goal.
The AKC has begun sending all breeders who register a litter an email asking them to provide us with their new puppy buyers’ contact information. The email includes information on our new Online Litter Record Service. This service allows breeders to supply AKC with new puppy buyer contact information in an easy-to-use online format. If the breeder does not want to use the new online service, a link to a printable version of the litter record is also available.
The new puppy buyers will then receive an e-mail or letter from AKC detailing the benefits and importance of AKC registration. The new puppy buyers will only be contacted by AKC. Their names will not be sold or used for any other promotions or marketing when given through this initiative. As you have experienced, puppy buyers tend to be more concerned about caring for their new puppy at the time of purchase, and often forget about one of the most important steps of responsible dog ownership – AKC registration. Our goal is to reinforce their decision of purchasing an AKC puppy and to educate them on the many benefits that they can receive with registration.
AKC is dedicated to promoting responsible dog ownership and educating new puppy buyers about registration benefits and the important programs that every registration supports. Registration dollars help AKC fund important educational programs, support the research of health issues through donations, and continue to subsidize AKC events. Our registration numbers also help us to maintain legislative influence and ensure that like-minded organizations continue to support the AKC through alternative revenue programs and sponsorships.
With your support, and by working together, AKC will be able to take the necessary steps to ensure its long and healthy future as the nation’s preeminent purebred dog registry. For more information or to use the new Online Litter Record Service, please click here. Please note this service can be used for recent or past litters.
|
H$U$ Does Little to Help Homeless Dogs and Cats |