Who Would Oppose A Puppy Protection Law

[Dixieland Dancer]

Now that is legislation we can all agree on! I like the idea of breeders being rewarded for doing it right!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by SpencerTheLion


I don't know if this would help, but what if the only legal means of getting a cat or a dog was thru rescues or responsible breeders? I'd be interested in knowing if anyone sees a way the intent to defeat backyard breeding could be bypassed. Who knows? Perhaps it could reduce the market for mauling dogs.

Not a bad idea as far as stopping puppy mills go and irresponsible breeding, but perhaps a bit too extreme? Would this apply to only purebreds? Would the mutt dog owner whose dog gets pregnant before they have had oppertunity to have it spayed be punished? In a perfect world it may not happen, but....would the puppies have to be turned over to rescue groups to be legally adopted? A law like that may also prevent some of the great "accidental" mixes we have. (Like my dogs!)

I realize over population is a problem and there should be away help take care of the problem. I just don't have a suggestion as to what it is.

[Cincy'sMom]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpencerTheLion
[BI am more concerned with people that sell cats and kittens than the ones that give them away. If communities and newspapers prevent people from putting ads of "Puppy for Sale" it might make a difference.

Good point!

[mugsy]

That is a good point, but playing devil's advocate here, if there is no way to advertise for unwanted pups and adults, how many more would get dumped on the side of the road? I think that positive feedback and a reward system is an outstanding idea. Perhaps we could have a Pet Talk petition of that nature to present to all of our Congresspeople. I have never done a petition, but am willing to learn if anyone thinks it's a good idea.

[Angels3]

Originally posted by SpencerTheLion
There is probably no money in responsible breeding from what I have heard and seen.

I don't know if this would help, but what if the only legal means of getting a cat or a dog was thru rescues or responsible breeders?

Spencer, I've heard good responsible ethical breeders say the same as you...there isn't great profit in it for them. The puppymillers & profit- driven backyarders make money because they dispense with the responsibility of putting the welfare of their puppies (& dogs, in general) first. Maybe educating the dog-buying public should stress that paying a decent price to an approved breeder is also an investment in the soundness of their purchased puppy (in every way) & of the dog population, in general.

Your second point that maybe the only legal way to obtain dogs should be thro' the approved breeders strikes a problem in my country with Competition Laws. These laws mean that no one group can have a monopoly of some commercial sector. These consumer-type laws are based on 'things' being bought & sold, and unfortunately not on 'living creatures' like dogs & cats. I think we need SPECIAL consumer-type laws governing the sale of companion animals...that could then make your idea of only some sources for acquiring animals legal, OK in relation to competition laws.
But I've got a horrible feeling it might lead to a legal minefield with all sorts of challenges in the law courts as to why some source was not approved...yet some other source was.
Our discussions show we all agree there's a huge problem re the welfare & breeding & sale of dogs & cats. The more we discuss it, I'm finding the more I understand it from all sorts of perspectives that PetTalkers are bringing up. Maybe this kind of discussion is the most important track to finding solutions. I hope people keep on adding to it.
Marie

[lizbud]

I like the idea of breeders being rewarded for doing it
right.(and ethically), but the flip side of that is the AKC
should also provide an incentive to doing it right by
refusing to register these Mill Dogs of questionable
parentage. I was surfing a old favorite site of mine
today that I hadn't checked out for awhile and I found
an article that really went right to the heart of this
discussion on "who would oppose a puppy protection act".

The site is Golden Retrievers.com and the article is;

http://www.golden-retriever.com/mill2.htm



There was another article at /inquire1 that dealt with
the the abundance of mills in Pa. and all over the country.

So who would oppose this law and more importantly,Why?
Who stands to gain or lose by these additional provisions?

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by Angels3




The more we discuss it, I'm finding the more I understand it from all sorts of perspectives that PetTalkers are bringing up. Maybe this kind of discussion is the most important track to finding solutions. I hope people keep on adding to it.
Marie

I do hope that other groups, and esp. decision making groups put the kind of thought and discussion into this that I have seen on this thread. Although everyone doesn't seem to agree exactly how to solve the problems, every opinion is respected and I think everyone is keeping an open mind and listening (or reading in this case) what everyone has to say. Really, what is important, is that whatever is done, it is best for the animals and the responsible, dedicated breeders.

[Angels3]

Lizbud, when I clicked on the link, the following message came up

http://golden-retriever.com/inquire2.html

"A DNS lookup error occurred. A host name was found but not an IP address."

Sounds like a good article....I'd like to get to that site & read it. I think we need all the ideas & opinions we can gather if good solutions/laws are to be figured out.
Marie

[lizbud]

Well darn it Marie the link is not working. So just type in
Golden Retrievers in cyberspace on any search engine,
google, etc. Once at the site , page down to "getting a
puppy"and click on" Puppy Mills-They are real ! ", then click on
"Information and additional links" Page down to the articles.
The one I spoke of was called "Philadelphia Inquirer Dec 31st
follow up article on Puppy Mills and AKC ". Liz.

[Angels3]

Thanks, Luzbud. I used Google as you suggested, followed your directions & found it. Great!
Marie

[lizbud]

Marie,

I'm glad you found it. Isn't the GRIC site Great !!
I found the site when I first started to "surf the web"
and I am so impressed and heartened by the rescue
work they do for Golden Retrievers in particular, and
other needy pups as well. They have finally realized
a lifelong dream of building a large santuary for GRs
called "Goldentown" where more dogs can be fostered
and rehomed. I feel like I know Helen & Bob, but I've
never even talked to them. Oh, BTW, I found a great
idea on the site that showed how to build Styrofoam
steps to help Senior dogs get into a vehicle without
much effort. I'm going to use that idea for my dog.
(9 yrs old with hip & knee problems). Liz.

[Angels3]

Lizbud, I just noticed what my butter fingers did to your name...'Luzbud!' Sorry. Yes, I think that's a fantastic site, too. Doesn't 'Goldenworld' sound wonderful.
And what a great coincidence...we've just been talking on our OzDogRescue list about the problems senior dogs have getting up & down stairs & in & out of cars. I'll pass on the idea about the Styrofoam stairs. Thanks.
We've got rescues coming out of our ears here at the moment. A little Tibetan Spaniel girl was rescued from busy traffic...no owner's been traced yet but she's happy being fostered & has the offer of 3 homes! Also, a breeder fell on hard times & suddenly we had to place 12 Tibetan Spaniels...all but 2 are now on their way to good homes. And we have a lovely big gentle Tibetan Mastiff that we have to transport from one state to another.
Marie