Sorry to bring up “government junk,” but the new regulations proposed by the USDA-APHIS, if adopted, will make it almost impossible for small breeders (think rare breeds and working lines) and rescue organizations (think volunteers who meet other volunteers to transport a breed rescue to a waiting home and then charge a small “adoption fee” for the parent club) to continue. I am attaching a note from the president of the Cornhusker Kennel Club with links. If you don’t have time to submit comments, please sign the AKC petition. If you do comment, please begin with a direct statement of your opposition. If you want more information, see the material on the website of the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (ifdco.org). The frightening part of this is that no elected representatives vote on the proposal. I imagine faceless bureaucrats who do not have pets (yes, these rules also apply to cats, rabbits, birds, snakes, turtles–anybody had your fish spayed and neutered? The count limit is the total of all such critters you have).
The following comes from Linda:
I am sure many of you could be affected by this so I am forwarding the message to all of you and if you wish to forward it on to others, please do.
Linda Graham
The deadline for submission of comments is July 16.
From: AKC Government Relations Dept. [mailto:doglaw@akc.org]
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 8:11 AM
To: sorr@orrkidboxers.com
Subject: USDA/APHIS COUNTDOWN: ONLY 10 DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT
Friday, July 06, 2012
As previously reported, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed changes to federal breeder regulations that would categorize many small/hobby breeders as commercial breeders and subject them to unnecessary federal licensing, regulation and inspections. This proposed rule creates unreasonable hardships that could threaten the future of a vast number of responsible small hobby breeders and the very existence of some rare breeds.
Under the proposed regulations, breeders who maintain more than four “breeding females” (this term is not defined) who sell even a single puppy to a purchaser who does not physically enter your facilities to observe the animals for sale would now be regulated in accordance with USDA standards. The unintended consequences these proposed regulations would include taking away the public’s opportunity to obtain puppies from small responsible breeders, who in many cases have dedicated their lives to breeding for health, breed type and temperament.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
It is imperative that anyone who is concerned with this proposal and who has not already made comment to the Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS), the division of the USDA responsible for enforcing the federal Animal Welfare Act, to join with the AKC to express your concerns about these proposed regulations and the impact they could have on you and other responsible breeders. The deadline for submissions is July 16.
You may share your concerns directly with USDA/APHIS directly by either:
- Online at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0003-0001.
- Or via postal mail at:
Docket No. APHIS–2011–0003
Regulatory Analysis and Development
PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238
The AKC has also created the Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders petition in response to the proposed rule. Our goal is to demonstrate to USDA/APHIS the solidarity among concerned citizens about the harsh and unintended consequences that the proposed regulations would have on responsible small and hobby breeders. Please join us by signing the petition before July 15, and encourage your friends to sign too! AKC will send the petition along with AKC’s official comments to the USDA.
RESOURCES:
- The AKC has created a USDA/APHIS REGULATIONS RESOURCE PAGE to help explain all aspects of the proposal. The page includes a Frequently Asked Questions section and additional resources. Click here to go to the Resource Page.
- Click here for a reproducible flyer to share with others.
- Click here to view the USDA/APHIS’s proposed rule.
- Click here to view a USDA Fact Sheet about the proposed rule.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-maildoglaw@akc.org.
“The frightening part of this is that NO elected representatives vote on the proposal.”
Really? we are talking about the USA right?
That is the government involved, although I feel as if I am reading about another system I know too well. The new regs propose taking on all kinds of additional “policing” at a time when the USDA is facing budget cuts and, from what I have heard, has cut the staff of inspectors at human-food plants (much less places that produce dog food). Maybe our public servants should focus on enforcing the existing statutes?
I wonder what and “who” is behind this?
There are people and organizations that if they had their way none of us would own dogs or pets of any kind.
Again, from what I have heard (and sometimes what we hear is even true), the HSUS has put a lot of money into promoting the new regs. After all, it is “inhumane” to have puppies on “permeable surfaces” (like towels, blankets, dog beds, carpets) or to let them have contact with other family pets, or strangers.
The link above does not bring you to the right spot, go first to here:
http://www.regulations.gov
Then in the search enter:
/#!document Detail;D=APHIS-2011-0003-0001
Then select the first option:
Animal Welfare; Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions
Thank you for the correction.
If nothing else, please at least use the AKC link to sign their petition.