Hooray for the American Kennel Club?
58Which is most likely to be the Pet Shop Puppy?
The AKC fights against intrusive government... or so it seems.
Currently the American Kennel Club is fighting Oklahoma Senate bill 1712 known as the Commercial Breeders Act . According to the AKC “this bill will expand government regulation of anyone who breeds dogs or cats and who owns more than 11 intact females of either species. “
It almost seems as if the AKC is being taken over by Tea Party members and standing up against intrusive government in Oklahoma.
The AKC claims it is against the bill because “The bill’s vague definition of commercial breeder includes no time frame, which means it will require anyone who owns or co-owns more than 11 intact females over 6 months of age and has ever bred a dog or cat, even if they are not currently breeding their animals to be licensed as a commercial breeder.” More details can be read at the AKC website at http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4107 .
But is there more to this a fight over intrusive government?
One could ask why the AKC doesn’t use its clout and influence to protect the animals upon which its very existence is based. Why doesn’t the AKC do everything possible to shut down the commercial breeder puppy mills that mass produce tens of thousands or more puppies annually for sale in Pet Shops instead of fighting for their existence?
AKC seems to think there are OK puppy mills!
A link to more information about state laws and puppy mills.
OK for dogs or puppy mills?
Oklahoma was portrayed on a recent program on Animal Planet as a state that has many puppy mills. Ironically, the AKC fights for the rights of Oklahoma breeders which include many puppy mill owners who inhumanely treat dogs, and whose products cost consumers millions of dollars annually in unexpected vet bills.
Could the reason that the AKC is against bills such as the Oklahoma bill is that over forty percent of its revenue comes from the registration fees it charges, and puppy mills account for millions of dollars of those registration fees? (AKC 2009 annual report shows a total operating support and revenue figure of $68,988,000 and registration fees of $27,743,000.)
Who would pay $1,000 for a mutt?
The AKC pedigree is what enables Pet Stores to charge such high prices for their pooches and what perpetuates business for puppy mills.
Puppy mill puppies that are purchased by consumers at pet stores are sold for as much as $1000 or more. Pet stores would have a difficult time charging such high prices for these products of puppy mills if these animals were not registered and certified as purebred by the AKC.. Who would pay $1,000 or $1,300 for that doggy in the window if it was not an AKC pedigreed pooch? It is likely many buyers might find a reputable breeder to buy directly from, or go to a dog shelter and get a puppy for as little as sixty or ninety dollars.
What can you do?
In its fight against the Oklahoma Commercial Breeders Bill the AKC asks, “What Can You Do?”
They answer their own question by suggesting “Concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Oklahoma are strongly urged to contact Governor Henry and respectfully express your concerns with the bill. Phone calls are the preferred method of contact. However, emails will also be valuable.”
Perhaps those who are concerned about the misery created by puppy mills contact the governor of Oklahoma and express their concerns. Here is a suggested message and the contact information.
Governor Bradley,
The state of Oklahoma was featured in a recent Animal Planet expose of puppy mills and the inhumane treatment dogs receive at these commercial breeders. I was sickened by what was shown that goes on in these operations. Since the AKC seems reluctant to suggest legislation against commercial breeders, I urge you to support Oklahoma Senate bill 1712 known as the Commercial Breeders Act.
Thank you,
Governor Brad Henry
State Capitol:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 212
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
PHONE: (405) 521-2342
FAX: (405) 521-3353
Tulsa Office:
440 S. Houston, Ste. 304
Tulsa, OK 74127
PHONE: (918) 581-2801
FAX: (918) 581-2835
Click here for a form to e-mail Governor Henry.
Please take this poll it is important1
What do you believe the AKC should do?
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I agree with you Sheila. In theory having an organization such as the AKC is fine. In actuality the AKC seems to be immersed in the past; to be a club for group of insiders; and may sometimes do more harm to the animals whose existence the organization depends on than good.
"Often wrong, but never in doubt" could summarize Keith S.' screed. Maybe he should note that Gov Henry signed the bill into law over a week before this article was published. Maybe the author needs to do a little better research. While he’s at it, maybe the author should should note that the AKC is a not-for-profit that pours its profits back into canine health research, education about responsible ownership and working for responsible breeding. Maybe he should note that show breeders regularly own more than 11 dogs. Or that under this law 11 animals of any species means you could own 3 cats, 2 dogs and 6 guinea pigs and be termed a commercial breeder – without ever breeding a single animal. This bill was a farce!
Speaking of bucks, the HSUS (a real oxymoron) spent $27,631,049 - on advertising, mailing, travel and lobbying (IRS Form 990 for 2008). But let's talk inspections. In 2009, AKC field inspectors conducted approximately 5,300 inspections nationwide. The AKC dedicates nearly $6 million annually to its compliance programs to ensure the accuracy of its registry and the care and conditions of dogs raised by breeders of AKC dogs. They do that for NO CHARGE. HSUS is theoretically 'inspecting' the Dallas Animal Shelter and charging just $25,000 - for one inspection of dubious value.
Facts are a troublesome thing, eh Keith?
Not a bit troubling Dave. As you know I could have deleted your response and no one would have known you wrote it. I didn't because I would rather let every reader see my response.
First of all was I not wrong in the fact that the AKC did not support the bill. In your tirade you forgot to mention that.
Also, if they didn't support, why didn't they?
The fact they didn't support the bill is correct and doesn't change the basic reason behind this hub.
In order to make things more accurate I will write a new hub asking why the AKC did not support the bill? I will really publicize it. In fact your information makes it even stronger. Because the truth is the AKC didn't support legislation against cruelty to animals in a state that had no commercial breeder laws on the books until this one.
Also, you mention the AKC is non profit, as if that has nothing to do with the fact that more than 40% of their revenue is generated by registration fees.
So what if the AKC is a non profit. Non profits are influenced by where cash flow comes just like any for profit. Don't make it seem that just because the AKC is a not for profit it doesn't need money to operate and carry on all those great services they supposedly have.
You say the AKC inspected more than 5,000 facilities. Great, what was the outcome? The USDA inspects facilities and nothing happens. Did the AKC stop registering any puppies from the facilities they inspected?
If you know so much about the AKC please tell me how much revenue they derive from litters whelped at puppy mills, and then additional revenue from those puppies that are sold at pet shops and registered.
Also, if the AKC is so concerned about the dogs how come they register genetic deficient interbred dogs from puppy mills? How does registering these animals improve a breed or breeds of dogs.
Oh and by the way please explain why if the AKC is so great they refuse to provide answers to people who email them. If they did provide answers then those people might be more accurate.
Dave, thank you for enlightening us on the AKC, with friends like you they don't need enemies.
sheila b. Level 4 Commenter 24 months ago
Personally, I think the AKC registration is worthless. At one time, I bred my standard poodle, and when it came time to register the puppies I was shocked to discover how easy it was. I needed no proof of anything. If a breeder had once owned a champion sire but it has died, there's nothing to stop that breeder from continuing to use his name, while actually using any old dog as stud. This sort of thing should be made known to people so they stop thinking they are buying a 'quality' dog when they buy AKC registered.