ILLINOIS PET BREEDERS - ACTION REQUIRED

SAOVA Friends,

May 9, 2014.  House Bill 4056 was amended from the Senate floor and will now prohibit Illinois pet shops from selling dogs and cats they have acquired from breeders. Instead pet shops would be required to sell dogs and cats obtained from an animal shelter or animal control facility.

Senate Amendment 1 has the full support of Governor Quinn and HSUS.  Proponents argue that this bill is needed to control pet overpopulation in Illinois, stop unnecessary shelter euthanasia, and end “puppy mill” sales in pet shops.  Supporters’ also claim the proposal will result in more healthy pets sold throughout the state.  That scenario is not likely if puppies from licensed and inspected breeders will be replaced by shelter dogs with unknown social histories, unknown dams and sires, and unknown health histories.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) issued an alert this week in opposition to HB 4056.  ISVMA noted, “In the last few years, they have passed Anna's Law (Pet Overpopulation Control Act), legislation to establish the Pet Population Fund, and the Pet Lemon Law. Each time, they have proposed the new answer to the problem of pet overpopulation. The time and resources of this General Assembly and the lobby groups that continue to pass these laws would be better spent on public education to better inform prospective pet owners of their choices in selecting a new pet and the responsibilities of pet ownership.”

Senate Amendment 1 limits the choices of Illinois citizens to obtain a purebred pet. It should not be the business of the state of Illinois to legislate pet sales from shelters. This is an unacceptable and unreasonable restriction on trade that will hurt legitimate business and cost jobs.

HSUS and their minions are spinning the tale that responsible breeders will not be affected and might actually benefit if pet stores are gone.  We have heard that song and dance before and know what they really want is to eventually end all purposeful breeding of pets. Should the amended bill pass, the new Puppy Lemon Law will be rescinded; a source for Illinois families to purchase pets will be removed; and businesses will be lost - all to satisfy the HSUS agenda.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
Time is critical. The bill had already been placed on the Senate Calendar for final reading when the Amendment was attached.  It is now with the Senate Executive Committee.

Tell Governor Quinn NO to HB 4056.  Call his office 217-782-0244
Ask your Senator http://www.ilga.gov/senate/   to oppose HB 4056.

Cross posting is encouraged.

Susan Wolf
Sportsmen's & Animal Owners' Voting Alliance
Working to Identify and Elect Supportive Legislators
saova@earthlink.net

USDA/APHIS Rule Impacting Small/Hobby Breeders Advances For Executive Review

Federal Informational Update:

(Friday, May 03, 2013)

http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4987

The AKC has learned that United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has completed a full review of all public comments on proposed changes to federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations affecting “Retail Pet Stores and Licensing Exemptions”. A final version of the rule has now advanced to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for further review and possible changes ahead of publication as a final rule by USDA. Typically, it takes 30-90 days for the OMB to review a final rule before it is returned to the USDA. Once a rule is published, there is generally a period of months before any changes to existing law are implemented.

No information about the contents of the final rule is available at this time. The AKC continues to express strong concerns to members of Congress and the USDA about the May 2012 proposed rule change. AKC will continue to provide updated information on the status of this rule and possible action to be taken as additional information becomes available.

Background

The AKC remains extremely concerned about the May 2012 proposed change to AWA regulations that would require all who own more than four “breeding females” and sell even one animal “sight unseen” to be regulated as a commercial breeder and subject to federal commercial breeder licensing, regulation and inspections requirements. The term “breeding female” is not defined in this rule, so it is unclear how USDA or even breeders themselves would determine who falls under these regulations. The term also includes multiple species (including cats, dogs, and other small mammals).

The AKC believes that the USDA’s “one size fits all” regulations are not in the best interest of all dogs, responsible breeders, or puppy buyers. It is unreasonable and virtually impossible for many small hobby breeders to comply with the strict kennel engineering standards that were designed for large commercial operations.

For more information on this proposal, including AKC’s formal comments on the proposed rule, links to the AKC petition in opposition to the rule, fact sheets and frequently asked questions, visit AKC’s USDA/APHIS Regulations Resource Page.

Next Steps

The public comment period regarding the proposed rule closed in August 2012. Once again, AKC thanks the over 70,000 individuals who signed AKC’s petition in support of small hobby breeders, and the many individuals, clubs and organizations who also commented on the many problems with the proposed rule. No information about the contents of the final rule is available at this time. However, AKC will continue to provide updated information and possible action to be taken when additional information on the contents of the final rule becomes available.

This message is a service of the American Kennel Club's Government Relations Department and you are receiving it in response to your request.  This information may be reprinted or forwarded appropriately with a citation to AKC.   Our website address is:  http://www.akc.org