Posted on 03/20/2006 1:01:21 PM PST by doc30
Normally, I don't post requests for help on issues, but there are a fair number of more knowlegeable animal lover Freepers than I. They may be interested and/or could offer some insight into 2 bills pending in FL.
Here are the Senate Summaries of these 2 bills coming before the Senate Agriculture Committee in FL and are to be voted on the 21st. Has anyone heard of these bills and does anyone have any idea what their impact will be?
Some have said that this will cripple the dog/cat breeders in FL and will include private, non-profit animal rescue groups as "pet dealers" and make them subject to licensing requirements. Such volunteer organizations are in no place to administer government regulations and they perform an important community function. It will also shut down home/hobby breeders. For those interested, here is a list of the committee members.
Bullard 850-487-5127
Argenziano 850-487-5017
Bennett 850-487-5078
Haridopolos 850-487-5056
Peaden 850-487-5000
Smith 850-487-5020
Florida Petlaws' website appears to be down, but here is the bill in its entirity, and some more info:
http://www.fakc.org/
When you get there, click on Legislation (lefthand sidebar) and then on State (near the top) and then scroll down.
Hope that helps.
susie
I own show dogs, and they are bred very responsibly-clearances etc. The prospective owners are checked into big time, and those puppies will be accepted back at any time.
The mills, brokers and auctioneers are the ones that need legislation, not responsible breeders.
Well, if you care enough about abuse and neglect to care about rescue animals, then you have to concede that some laws about care standards and inspection and health guaruntees are needed to combat the problem.
What is it you'd like to do?
Well, I can only say I disagree with you. But you already knew that, I suspect!
susie
What about duck farms?
Purebred does not nec. = bred by a hobby breeder. I think the bulk of the purebreds (at least the smaller breeds) in this country today came from puppy mills, mostly in places like MO.
susie
The mills, brokers and auctioneers are the ones that need legislation, not responsible breeders.
And how is the law going to tell the difference? The puppy mills don't CALL themselves "puppy mills". They call themselves breeders.
It is not going to stop Amish puppy mills in my area....
It will harm small independent breeders many of whom love their breeds and contribute to a pool of quality healthy
dogs for sale for protection and pets...
To get the bad they will run the good out of business...
Mass punishment of small business another of government's great gifts to tax payers and constituents...
imo
The rescue groups do believe it will include them, they are trying very hard to get this bill stopped. If anyone is interested in there being fewer dogs who need homes, it is rescue groups, so their work to stop this bill is very telling.
susie
The conformation people are working overtime to get this stopped as well.
No - I don't already know that. Exactly what definable difference is there between breeder and puppy mill? Puppy mills don't call themselves puppy mills.
Rescue groups generally do not have a facility, so this bill would require that each person who volunteered to foster a dog (or cat) would have to be inspected, etc. I personally think that if this bill passes it will become more difficult to find volunteer foster homes. The sad reality is that even good people with perfectly acceptible places don't like to have someone from the dept of agriculture come inspect their homes every year. I'm not even sure how on earth the state could handle the volume....
susie
I can see the foster situations being a problem that needs to be solved... I'll concede that.
You just made my point. This person is not a hobby breeder. By definition, hobby breeders do not breed to make money. You are barking up the wrong tree (pardon the pun!)
susie
I didn't say it did. I said a large percentage of dogs in shelters are purebreds.
Thanks Susie!! Appreciate the link.
I don't want to see something that shuts down home breeders and hobbyists. I'd like to hear more about what Calpernia knows about the issue of AWA and home kennel licences. But if it does entail the ineligeibilty of home breeders to do what they do, then I'm against it. There has to be enough flexibility to permit breeding, but without heavy handed government mandates. I'd also hate to see rescue groups get hit in the teeth. And will the fees from licensing be low enough for home breeders/rescues to afford, but still cover the cost of inspections. I'd also like to know what the standards are for inspection. There needs to be a way to target puppy mills without closing the good breeders and rescuers.
I wonder if the different shelter organizations are supporting this. They may be getting an elitist attitude that only they can do the rescue work properly. Private citizens just aren't capable of doing this sort of thing and all deliberate dog breeding is 'bad'.
OKAY - all that's well and good, and I can agree.
I'm not sure what I see in this law that would put home breeders at risk except and unless the fees are high. The actual provisions don't seem to me to be a problem for the hobby breeder and the hobby breeder needs to realize that there's no definable difference between hobby and mill.
I talked to a well respected judge at a show recently. He told me that breeders that show dogs are responsible for only 10 percent of the AKC registered dogs in the country, but we will get hit if these laws go into effect.
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