Article on PETA

This came across the ACA lists, and gives the latest on PETA's record on placing animals.

Bill Moore, Ph.D. akitaz@mac.com
Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue - http://www.hodakitas.org

"When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated." --Sara Paretsky



Peta Killing Program
April 14, 2009

Exclusive: PETA's Pet Killing Program Set a New Record in 2008 Public 
Records: PETA Found Adoptive Homes for Less than 1 out of 300 Animals

Animal lovers worldwide now have access to more than a decade's worth of  proof that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) kills thousands of defenseless pets at its Norfolk, Virginia headquarters. Since 1998, PETA has opted to "put down" 21,339 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens instead of finding homes for them.

PETA's "Animal Record" report for 2008, filed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, shows that the animal rights group killed 95 percent of the dogs and cats in its care last year. During all of 2008, PETA found adoptive homes for just seven pets.

Just seven animals -- out of the 2,216 it took in. PETA just broke its own record.

Why would an animal rights group secretly kill animals at its headquarters? PETA's continued silence on the matter makes it hard to say for sure. But from a cost-saving standpoint, PETA's hypocrisy isn't difficult to understand: Killing adoptable cats and dogs – and storing the bodies in a walk-in freezer until they can be cremated – requires far less money and effort than caring for the pets until they are adopted.

PETA has a $32 million annual budget. But instead of investing in the lives of the thousands of flesh and blood creatures in its care, the group spends millions on media campaigns telling Americans that eating meat, drinking milk, fishing, hunting, wearing leather shoes, and benefiting from medical research performed on lab rats are all "unethical."

The bottom line: PETA's leaders care more about cutting into their advertising budget than finding homes for the nearly six pets they kill on average, every single day.

The Virginia Beach SPCA, just down the road from PETA's Norfolk headquarters, manages to adopt out the vast majority of the animals in its care. And it does it on a shoestring budget.

Years of public outrage has not been enough to convince PETA to eliminate its pet eradication program.

Now the death toll of animals in PETA's care has reached 21,339, including more than 2,000 pets last year. That's not an animal charity. It's a slaughterhouse.

From www.petakillsanimals.com

A Flag for Oak Ridge Kennel Club

John and Barbara Byrum have donated a flag pole to ORKC and we will
try and get it installed in the near future. If anyone has a flag
they would like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. We will
have to locate the flag pole fairly close to one of the buildings so
we can run electricity for lighting. It would also be nice if we
could incorporate a small flower bed around the flag pole. Any
suggestions?

Robert Pless,

Grounds & Building Committee
Oak Ridge Kennel Club

from Leslie Roden

Fellow ORKC members,
 
I have been keeping a close watch on the new legislation concerning the "Commercial Breeders" bills.  My position is that there are too many ambiguous clauses in the laws leaving holes in these bills which put honest caring breeders at jeopardy should a bias HSUS/PETA type person be given the responsibility of enforcing the laws.  Additionally, I don't think it's fair that a small percentage of honest breeders be taxed to pay for the mistakes of puppy mill offenders.  Lastly, I know it is HSUS's goal to see all breeding of companion animals stopped.  I don't think they will stop pushing until they achieve their goals.  They will continue lobby to lower the numbers (example, 20 breeding females...) until they have achieved their goal.  20 breeding females was just their starting point.  
 
Because of the anti-HSUS information ORKC has circulated, (I'm on the same page with you!!!) and because HSUS is behind these bills, I was under the impression that ORKC was also against these bills.  I spoke with someone in class the other day who told me ORKC was part of an organization that has a Lobbyist working to defeat these bills.  I was trying to find out who this person is so I could work with them.  I mentioned it to the members of TN-PET-LAW@yahoogroups.com.  Below is a copy of the dialogue, with the exception of my original question which was basically, "does anyone know who the Lobbyist is?"  (please read the dialogue below)
 
If you are apposed to these bills and feel they need major changes to adequately protect dog owners, please contact the Lobbyist to find out what he/she is doing that gives others the impression that they are working WITH HSUS in support of the bills.  If the Lobbyist is truly trying to protect both dogs and owners, I would like to know how I can contact him/her so I can support their efforts.  
 
Have a fantastic day!   Leslie Roden  (423) 526-2093


To: TN-Pet-Law@yahoogroups.com
From: eshever@embarqmail.com
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:59:39 -0400
Subject: Re: [TNpetlaw] Re: Would it do any good?



The Federation lobbyist and the HSUS state director and the ASPCA 
lobbyist are the only ones we know of who are officially working on 
the bills. They're all supporting the bills and the HSUS state 
director claims she was the author of the original version of the bill.

Unless the Federation has changed their position and they are now 
opposing the bills their lobbyist is pushing for the commercial 
breeder bills. I believe they are still supporting the legislation. 
However, I don't know what amendments they may be trying to get to 
the bills. The Federation has not been very good about communicating 
their position. I don't think even some of their member clubs know 
what the Federation's positions are.

I'm honestly not sure who the Federation is using for lobbying. I 
think it was a lobbying firm in Nashville but I don't recall who the 
individual is.

Carlotta

On Apr 22, 2009, at 11:22 PM, yorkiemom17 wrote:

> Carlotta,
> Thank you for this REALLY helpful information! By the way, the 
> person who I spoke with at the Oak Ridge Kennel club who told me
> about the Lobbyist seemed to have the impression that the Lobbyist 
> was working to help KILL the bill, not push it through! I will 
> have to talk to my friend again!! Is the Lobbyist you are 
> referring to a man or a woman? My friend knew their Lobbyist was a 
> woman... Is it possible there is another Lobbyist working to 
> oppose the legislation?
>
> Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Leslie
>
>
>
> -- In TN-Pet-Law@yahoogroups.com, Carlotta Cooper <eshever@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Leslie,
>>
>> The Tennessee Federation of Dog Clubs has a lobbyist working on the
>> bills. They are supporting the commercial breeder legislation and we
>> are opposing it.
>>
>> We oppose using numerical limits to define someone as a commercial
>> dog or cat breeder and we oppose some of the other things in the
>> bills.
>>
>> There will definitely be hearings next week (unless they roll them
>> over to the week after that), so you still have time to go to
>> Nashville. Anyone who wants to speak to the committees about the
>> bills should contact the offices of the chairman of the Finance
>> committee in the Senate or the chairman of the Judiciary committee in
>> the House. No guarantee they will arrange time for you but that's
>> where you start by asking.
>>
>> Carlotta
>>
>

__._,_.___
Give Back
Yahoo! for Good
Get inspired
by a good cause.
Y! Toolbar
Get it Free!
easy 1-click access
to your groups.
Yahoo! Groups
Start a group
in 3 easy steps.
Connect with others.
.
 
__,_._,___

Fwd: Knoxville Temperment Test Cancelled - Please forward

This event has been advertised in the ORKC Woofer for the last few
months. Any of you who were planning to attend, please note!

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Heather Roberto, AnovaNet" <hroberto@anovanet.com>
> Date: April 22, 2009 8:02:41 AM EDT
> To: <judypinkevich@aol.com>, <premierpaws@aol.com>, "'Missy Neal'"
> <missy@kngc.com>, "'wendypropst3712'" <wenirato@comcast.net>,
> <TTinyLass@aol.com>
> Cc: "'Lois'" <landlrotts@comcast.net>, <royrott01@aol.com>
> Subject: Knoxville Temperment Test Cancelled - Please forward
>
> Hello,
>
> Please forward this to your Kennel Club Members – The TT event in
> Knoxville, TN is CANCELLED. SMWRK has had to postpone the TT
> scheduled for Saturday, April 25th due to lack of entries. We will
> resend information once the event has been rescheduled. We are
> sorry for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you when the
> event is rescheduled.
>
> For questions, please contact Lois at landlrotts@comcast.net
> Thank You!
>
> Heather Roberto, CBB
> hroberto@anovanet.com
> Cell: 1-860-617-1778
> Fax: 1-866-489-4063
> www.anovanet.com
>
>
>

Join the Crusade against HSUS+Pass It Forward!

One of the fastest methods of marketing used to quickly gain other participants,  which can be exponential in breadth and scope –is by using levels of people.  Just pick out say 10-50 as an initial goal, and all you do is forward this article. That's right.  This is just to inform people of the truth.
 
Many pet owners or fanciers, business owners or community people have tons of friends and others who would like to KNOW the truth. People who want to buy a dog. People who don't know about HSUS.
 
Make sure to tell THEM to do the same thing with 10-50 emails. This is VITAL.  Do not spam people. Either send to someone you know, or post it online somewhere (blog, forum, newspaper blog replies, Kijiji forum, wherever...)  This is for education purposes.  HSUS hires telemarketers. We don't need to hire telemarketers because we already have enough people.
 
We have way more people than HSUS does. Especially if each person does what is stated above.  If you know anything about math, (exponential power)  you can see that we can get millions of postings and emails.  And when millions of people know, they tell others.  That is how Obama got a lot of people to vote. Email and posting online.
 
You know how  rumors get started and end up as "urban legends?"  Well, we are going to make this one a non-urban legend about HSUS. Bad news travels so fast online, it can take the place of 100 news broadcasts because so many people see it AT THE SAME TIME.  HSUS is  like Peta— but with the Political Push. And HSUS has far more $$$ than Peta, since it merged or swallowed up a bunch of other animal groups. 
 
And it was done PURPOSELY–so they would have more corporate money and get into more political situations—which in many cases—create greedy scandals involving buying off politicians, as we have seen daily in 2008—the year of corporate greed going wild. 
 
Is this what we want?  Animal extremists with huge corporate coffers to buy off politicians?  To take donations from innocent people and then make laws against our animals?  To stop the breeding of good pets?  To ruin the agriculture and pet industry? Beware–because it is here–and that group is the corporate conglomerate known as HSUS+friends!
 
For 2008, HSUS pushed 10 goals…6-7 of the 10 goals involved spay/neuter, dogs/cat laws, or farm animal laws. One  other goal was to increase media exposure and another to involve Venture Capital (to make more $$$)…only ONE goal involved outside issue (seal hunting, Canada)  Much of the laws HSUS pushes is against dog kennel owners of all types, dog owners, and dog breeders, regardless of size or type. HSUS loves to pretend that every dog breeder is a high volume business, yet HSUS pushes for laws against even small hobby breeders.  In other words, HSUS says one thing, but does another.
 
HSUS in 2008, attempted to pass a forfeiture law in CA so that alleged dog raids could garner additional forfeiture proceeds.  And we all know HSUS loves to help orchestrate kennel raids of all types, small dogs, big dogs, etc…..The state did not pass the legislation; they tried to pass it in Tennessee, and that also did not pass…. and now it seems HSUS  closed its Western Regional office in Sacramento, CA December 2008 and laid off everyone, but one person.  Hmmm….maybe the California legislature has had enough of HSUS???
 
HSUS like PETA, spends $$ to try and both devalue the production of certain food sources, to cause the public to think badly of agriculture/ farm raised animals; eliminate the use of animals in biomedical research labs; phase out pet breeding, esp. for dogs, end the breeding of  purebred dogs; end zoos, and circus animal acts; and demonize hunters as crazed lunatics. HSUS employs fulltime attorneys that do nothing but file lawsuits; it is not disputed that HSUS does not believe pets are our property, which is why they advocate for treating animals on same level as people.  Guardianship is NOT ownership.
 
Not convinced about HSUS  misleading the public?  


[ Make sure to see below, which tell about HSUS' involvement in different lawsuits.] What kind of group besides PETA— wants to hire convicted felons? HSUS. Yet, HSUS contributed $$ toward the proposed law against radical extremists targeting scientists and their families in CA.   Why?  Because HSUS is attempting to make it look like they don't condone violence, yet HSUS does fundraisers for convicted eco-terrorists, one of which was on 12/13/08. 
 
 In 2005  Pacelle announced the formation of a new "Animal Protection Litigation Section" within HSUS, dedicated to "the process of researching, preparing, and prosecuting animal protection lawsuits in state and federal court."
 
[Note: What this really means is  HSUS becomes involved in LEGISLATION aimed at stopping the selling of pets, notably dogs; HSUS puts videos on mainstream TV and then tells the public to donate, while saying HSUS is busting dog kennels--but behind the scenes, they are advising cities to implement sterilization of all pets, no buying, no breeding of animals, and forced adoption of shelter animals, not buying from stores; HSUS attempts to help pass laws pushing MSN, forfeiture of dogs, and restrictions of pets including no tethering, etc]
 
2000………….HSUS uses convicted felon, avowed member of Animal Liberation Front (ALF),  JP Goodwin  (2008)–Goodwin is claimed to be an "expert" in dogfighting by HSUS, however when in court to testify as such, the court found he was NOT an expert. He may have experience being in prison, but he's not an expert on dogs.  Come on people, would you donate or give money to Scott Peterson who threw his wife in the Bay while she was pregnant?  Of course not.  So why would anyone want to donate to a group that hires felons? That fundraises for felons?
 
In addition to the HSUS flagship offices in Maryland and DC, the organization' s global network includes control over the following legal corporations (this list is evolving as new information becomes available):
 
Nonprofit affiliates:
 
Alice Morgan Wright-Edith Goode Fund (DC);
Alternative Congress Trust (DC);
Animal Channel (DC);
Association Humanataria De Costa Rica;
Center for the Respect of Life and Environment (DC);
Charlotte and William Parks Foundation for Animal Welfare (DC);
Conservation Endowment Fund (see ICEC) (CA);
Earth Restoration Corps. (DC);
Earthkind Inc. (DC);
Earthkind International Inc. (DC);
Earthkind USA (DC);
Earthkind USA (MT);
Earthkind UK [ also affiliated with the International Fund for Animal Welfare];
Earthvoice (DC);
Earthvoice International (DC);
Eating with a Conscience Campaign (DC);
HSUS Hollywood Office (formerly The Ark Trust Inc.) (CA);
Humane Society International (DC), which also operates
the International Center for Earth Concerns (ICEC) in Ojai, California,
the Center for Earth Concerns in Costa Rica, and
the Conservation Endowment Fund in California;
Humane Society International Australian Office Inc.;
Humane Society International of Latin America;
Humane Society of the United States (DE);
Humane Society of the United States (MD);
Humane Society of the United States (MT);
Humane Society of the United States (PA);
Humane Society of the United States (VT);
Humane Society of the United States California Branch Inc. (CA);
Humane Society of the United States New Jersey Branch Inc. (NJ);
Humane Society of the United States Wildlife Land Trust (DC);
Humane Society of the United States Wildlife Land Trust (KS);
Humane Society of the United States Wildlife Land Trust (OK);
Humane Society of the United States Utah State Branch (UT);
Humane Society University (DC);
Institute for the Study of Animal Problems (DC);
Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature (GA);
International Society for the Protection of Animals (UK);
International Wilderness Leadership Wild Foundation Inc. [d/b/a The WILD Foundation] (CA);
Kindness Club International Inc. (DC);
Meadowcreek Project Inc. (AR);
Meadowcreek Inc. (AR);
National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (DC);
National Humane Education Center (VA);
Species Survival Network (MI);
Valerie Sheppard Humane Society University (DC);
Wildlife Rehabilitation Training Center (MA);
World Federation for the Protection of Animals Inc. (DC);
World Society for the Protection of Animals (DC);
World Society for the Protection of Animals (IA);
World Society for the Protection of Animals (ND);
World Society for the Protection of Animals (VT);
World Society for the Protection of Animals - Canada;
World Society for the Protection of Animals - Deutschland;
World Society for the Protection of Animals International (UK);
World Society for the Protection of Animals UK (UK); and
Worldwide Network Inc. (DC).
For-profit affiliates:
The Humane Catalog (VA);
Humane Equity Fund [defunct] (DC);
Humane Society Press (DC);
Humane Society of the United States Connecticut Branch Inc. (CT);
Humane Society of the United States Virginia Branch Inc. (VA);
World Society for the Protection of Animals (MA);
World Society for the Protection of Animals - Australia;
World Society for the Protection of Animals Executor Services (UK);
World Society for the Protection of Animals Trading Company (UK). 
 
This list may not be completely updated, but was at time of initial printing by consumerfreedom.com –however after the huge merger of many more extremist groups with HSUS, they now own millions of acres of land, and probably can BUY whatever POLITICIAN they can pay………..so we all know how corporate GREED has ruined this country?  Do we want to encourage MORE of the same thing with our animals???!! 
 
HSUS is responsible for helping Louisville KY come up with the draconian pet laws now the subject of a federal lawsuit (2008), in which the COURT denied the amicus briefs of HSUS TWICE (in other words, the Court refused to allow it to be filed)  And WHY did the court twice DENY the briefs? 
 
One reason is because, HSUS used one of the same attorneys which was formerly representing  one of the parties—that is considered a conflict of interest!!  You call that ethical???  Hardly.  Which is why the court refused to allow it, but HSUS spent lots of $$ on attorney fees to keep trying to file it, again and again! [See other posting on petdefense blog which gives specifics on this ordinance by typing in Louisville on search box on petdefense]
 
HSUS submitted to the Denver Fed Appellate Court this year (2008) an amicus brief claiming that dog breeds can be identified with 99% accuracy without bothering to explain such "accuracy" is only considered to be for entertainment purposes, not scientifically used as a reliable test at this stage (for breed)– due to the testing being in infancy stage.  HSUS also submitted an amicus brief on the R. Stevens case, and Stevens was found not guilty in a precedential case on free speech issues (2008.)
 
HSUS is going around the country offering $5,000 for info leading to conviction of "dogfighters" and has purposely helped/ engaged in orchestrated raids of large and medium kennels of dogs,  killing ALL the dogs upon seizure, even when the court verdicts led to acquittal of the owners.  HSUS has bragged about taking down dog people and made a big deal of it, yet after 3-4 years, the accused are aquitted quickly but their dogs were killed right after the raids. This is becoming a pattern for the HSUS, which is NOT a legal enforcement team. Thought HSUS was about "saving" animals?  Think again.
 
HSUS solicited donations for the Vick dogs when they did not HAVE custody of such dogs–but implied that they did!!  In fact HSUS wrote letters advocating the dogs should be killed. Soliciting donations for dogs one doesn't have amounts to fabrication. Lying. 
 
HSUS purposely engages itself with local humane society groups so that HSUS can be involved in KENNEL RAIDS of small dogs, with the intent being that all such dogs will be seized and taken. HSUS often uses Best Friends, ASPCA, Last Chance for Animals and the like, to help out.  No charges of abuse or gross neglect need be filed, in fact in one case, it was set up to seize the animals by saying there was an "environmental" violation of putting dog urine in the river.  HSUS then broadcasts such RAIDS across the United States, and then helps groups sell the dogs the week following the RAID.
 
HSUS purposely has "merged" with other large AR groups (Doris Day, etc) so they can take over the advocacy of AR issues in all areas (legislate, advocate, lawsuits) and WP admitted, they intend to push hard in several areas, including legislation and gaining donations.  Just looking at the huge list of corporations owned by HSUS above, do you not see the potential for harm? Do we need to become victims first like in the mortgage business? Do we need to lose our rights before fighting this cancer? 
 
This is just one spoke in a large wheel of many people who don't like liars trying to force their methods down our throats……………Make sure to see Gerry Spence's take on corporations (like HSUS)  that use propaganda to dumbdown the public on TV; see 

http://tinyurl.com/7dkh52   or     

http://www.gerryspence.wordpress. com 
 
Note: You can shorten this to whatever amount you think is sufficient, you can add to it, and subtract.  Just make sure when you send it out, you tell the other people to share it with 10-50 others. (You can also make a PDF, but many people are lazy and won't open it.)
 
Please forward to others who will do the same!  The truth about PETA has been out for awhile, but HSUS credibilty needs to be hit with the sledgehammer. And it's now Hammertime!     AB1634 was defeated in CA with massive numbers of opposition.  We need to do the same, only MORE–against HSUS.  Our work lies before us.  Now we just need to do it! 

 

Read, Heed, Forward

HSUS Agenda for Animals Officially Targeting the Hobby Breeder 

Unless you want to become a nation of tofu burgers on the grill on the 4th of July, unless you DO NOT want a choice as to where your next purebred dog comes from...it is way past time to wake up and JOIN THE CRUSADE. 

The following 12 Step plan was published in 1987, when the concept of Animal Rights was as foreign as fuzz on a frog's ***. Look at this list VERY CAREFULLY. ( Over the coming weeks, The Endangered Owner will look at each of these steps individually, so check back.)

Each and every item on that list is being attacked by PETA and the HSUS. And for all of you pet owners out there that STILL do not believe the Animal Rightists want to end ALL PET BREEDING, read item number 10.

From "Politics of Animal Liberation"
 
by Kim Bartlett,
 
published in ANIMAL AGENDA, November 1987

1. Abolish by law all animal research

2. Outlaw the use of animals for cosmetic and product testing, classroom demonstration and in weapons development

3. Vegetarian meals should be made available at all public institutions, including schools

4. Eliminate all animal agriculture

5. No herbicides, pesticides or other agricultural chemicals. Outlaw predator control.

6. Transfer enforcement of animal welfare legislation away from the Department of Agriculture

7. Eliminate fur ranching and the use of furs.

8. Prohibit hunting, trapping and fishing.

9. End the international trade in wildlife goods

10. Stop any further breeding of companion animals, including purebred dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering should be subsidized by state and municipal governments. Abolish commerce in animals for the pet trade.

11. End the use of animals in entertainment and sports.

12. Prohibit the genetic manipulation of species.

NOTE: This was written in 1987, long before genetic engineering and cloning. In this context, "genetic manipulation" means "selective breeding"

**Cross-posting notice**

Cross posting is highly encouraged and welcomed. Post this message anyplace that it will be read by those folks still unaware of what is happening to our rights and to our culture. 

Shelter Scams

by Wayne Cavanaugh
(President of the United Kennel Club)
 
Did you ever get mail from the "humane society"? Donation solicitations, Christmas cards, free address labels? Was it from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Humane Association (AHA), or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)? Did you ever wonder who they are and what they do? What about during disaster relief efforts, did you ever wonder where to send your donations?
 
Don't know the answers to these questions? You are not alone. Even among the most dedicated dog lovers there is huge misunderstanding and confusion when it comes to our nation's shelters and the SAS – that is, the Shelter Alphabet Soup, that comes with them.
 
In the late 1990's, a group called the California Coalition of Animal Advocates convened to try to find answers to issues dog-related population issues. Their work included a study to find out who and where the animal shelters were in America. It sounded easy enough until they discovered that a national list of shelters did not exist, and, contrary to popular opinion, there wasn't a "humane society" or any other type of organization that oversaw all of America's shelters!
 
So who, what, and where are the nation's shelters? Who are these big fund-raising groups, and how are they related to shelters? Where do they get their money, and who is running them? To start, the coalition funded a study to create shelter list of every shelter in America. They knew it would always be changing and would never be complete, but they also knew it would be a lot better than what existed, which was nothing. They hired university graduate students to do the only thing that would work – the students called every town, municipality, city, village, township, hamlet and county in America and asked if they had a shelter, what they called it and who ran it. The answers were interesting and the list was compiled. Today, there is still no national organization overseeing or coordinating America's shelters.
 
Here are some facts that most people do not realize.
 
The Humane Society of the Untied States (HSUS) does not operate a single animal shelter inAmerica or anywhere else. That's right, not one. Makes you wonder how many people send them money thinking they were the local animal shelter.
 
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) does operate a shelter and an animal hospital - they are both in New York City. That's it, a New York City shelter only. It is a highly regarded shelter, but New York clearly isn't the nationwide shelter list some people think of when they think of the ASPCA. To be fair, the ASPCA does humane work all over the nation, but as far as operating shelters, well, no.
 
The American Humane Association (AHA) operates no shelters, but does have about 300 shelters that are affiliated and agree to maintain AHA standards of care at their shelters.
 
What about the SPCA? Is there a national organization called the SPCA (society for the prevention of cruelty to animals)? Nope. Sorry. "SPCA" is simply a term, or abbreviation, used for most any animal shelter but it is NOT a nationwide organization. It's a generic for what we say instead of "dog pound", "animal shelter", or "humane society".
 
Now you can see the confusion! When national groups use words like humane society, or letters such as SPCA in their name, people think they are giving to their local shelter. But they, of course, are not.
 
So who runs the local shelter in your town? It could be anyone from volunteers, to your local government, to a private party. Many rural areas simply have a person, with a few extra kennel runs, who the town pays to house the strays. In more populated areas where actual dedicated buildings exists, the shelters are funded by any combination of tax dollars, donations, adoptions fees and dog license fees. (It is interesting to note that the shelters house dogs and cats, but since hardly anyone licenses cats, the dog license fees pay the bills for both dogs and cats.)
 
These shelters are named anything from the "SPCA of Whatever County" to the "Humane Society of Whatever Township", but are not affiliated with either national group, the ASPCA or HSUS. Within a county or state, the shelters may meet for educational purposes or to share information but not as a member of a national fund raising group that operates and fund shelters.
 
So what does the ASPCA, HSUS, and AHA do with all of their money if it is not going to your local shelter? Each has their own agenda. They all advertise, use money to raise money, and draft and lobby for legislation. Some may agree with none, all, or some of what they support. The AHA has the contract to oversee and ensure the safety all animals used while filming a movie. They have done so for years and have done an admirable job. However, they are also opposed to hunting. So are the ASPCA and, obviously, HSUS. Do they help protect animals? Yes, they do. But does their agenda agree with your individual ideas and philosophy? Hang on, you better check. Check a lot. Go to their websites. Call them. Dig deeper into their agendas. See what legislation and advertising campaigns they are spending donated money on.
 
HSUS for example, in addition to the troubled PAWS legislation, is also spending donations on a new campaign to prevent America's youth from hunting before they are 18 years old. (For those familiar with the PAWS bill, this is typical HSUS – set limits first then adjust them to extinction!) These campaigns and laws are often being funded by well intended people who think they are giving to their local shelter! But you now know that is not true.
With Hurricane Katrina, watch the big PR money being spent by some of these groups, and other dog organizations, as they exploit the hurricane victims by trying to raise money that goes who knows where. Is that money all going to relief? Let's hope so. We have heard that good money is starting to get spent in the hurricane ravaged areas. Or is some going to fund anti-hunting and anti- breeding legislation? It almost seems as though where some see despair and horror, others see a PR opportunity, so who knows?
 
The bottom line is that there are thousands of shelters in America, all of which are individually operated and funded locally. They always need resources and support. Then, there are large groups who raise money by using the goodwill of words like "humane" and "cruelty" in their national name. To add another layer of concern, while your local independent shelter is not run by HSUS, AHA, or the ASPCA (unless you are in New York City), you really have no idea what the mission of your local shelter is. Your job is to ask.
 
There are many, many excellent and worthy local shelters that need your donations and will use them directly to help dogs. But before you open your wallet, ask what will be done with your money.
 
Consider donating food and supplies which can't be as easily used to pay government lobbyists. Ask what they believe in. Then ask yourself what you believe in and where you draw the line. We should and we must help those less fortunate. We must not forget the people and the dogs who need help from the hurricane. We must do so from our hearts, though, and not to take credit or exploit the situation. And we must make sure our efforts are in line with our private individual beliefs.
 
Courtesy Bloodlines, the official publication of the United Kennel Club

 
 
 

Woofer Deadline TOMORROW

Please send all items by the end of the day tomorrow!

~
Missy Neal, Editor
ORKC Woofer
~

2) HB 0386 and 3) SB0258 [Commercial Breeder Act]

2) HB 0386 [Commercial Breeder Act] being heard before the House Judiciary Committee on April 15

3) Commercial Breeder Act [SB0258]: Senate Commerce, Labor, and Agriculture Committee on the 15th


PLEASE CALL/FAX/ or EMAIL BOTH of these committees and ask them to OPPOSE  this bill (both identical versions)

The National Animal Interest Alliance has set up the CapWiz on their  website.  


This will work for Tennessee residents ONLY...IT IS SUPER SIMPLE! Click and send and your message will be sent to ALL of the committee 
members!!!  

If you would rather fax, you may still use the NAIA site.  When your letter is complete, just print and fax!

--
Posted By ORKC to Oak Ridge Kennel Club at 4/13/2009 08:44:00 AM

1) HB 0626 (Animal Forfeiture Bill) will be heard on Tuesday, April 14

Please take the time today to fax, call or email the committee members to oppose the following bills ... 


We must be heard.  Please take the time out of your busy schedules on Monday to contact the necessary legislators.  It doesn't take much time...PLEASE
stand up and be counted. You must act TODAY before the committee votes.

Forward, cross post at will.

There are some nasty HSUS backed bills in Tennessee that need to die.  So, 
on Monday, April 13, 2009, get ready to CALL, FAX, or at the very least 
email the committee members (as well as your own rep) to send the strong 
unified message that we are OPPOSED to these bills.  The ARs do this all the
time...They stage call-in days and bombard the lawmakers with calls/faxes. 
WE must do the same!

Please forward this post to any individual, group/club, groomer, pet sitter,
breeder, dog owner, anyone that can lend a few minutes to send these H$U$ 
bills to their grave!

Animal Forfeiture Bill, HB 0626, will be heard Tuesday, April 14, before the
House Calendar and Rules Committee  

Bill Summary:  In animal cruelty 
prosecutions, if a defendant is ordered to post court security to pay for 
expenses of caring for the animal, s/he currently has 15 business days to 
come up with the money. If s/he can't do that the ownership rights are lost.

This bill will change the time limit to 72 hours, which is very little time 
considering that the person will also need to find money for an attorney and
bail, and the amount of money required for the security is likely to be 
considerable.

The bill will also remove the following wording:  " However, if the person 
from whom the animal was seized is not the owner of the animal and the 
person has not posted the court-ordered security within fifteen (15) days, 
the court shall order the governmental animal control agency or the humane 
society to make all reasonable efforts to determine who the owner of the 
animal is and to notify the owner of the pending proceeding. No animal shall
be deemed to have been abandoned and forfeited to the governmental animal 
control agency or humane society until reasonable attempts to determine and 
notify the owner have been made."

This wording gives rightful owners an opportunity to reclaim pets that have 
been stolen or otherwise ended up in the hands of an (alleged) animal 
abuser.

The take home message here is that both of the above-mentioned changes will 
make it easier or more likely for an innocent person to lose his/her 
animals. They also could result in overzealous prosecution and/or abuse of 
process. More information concerning the problems with asset forfeiture 
programs can be found here: http://www.fear.org// .

Innocent people DO get accused of animal abuse, and, unless they are 
wealthy, they will almost certainly lose their animals and go bankrupt while
defending themselves. As our legal system is based on "innocent until proven
guilty," it would be better to have the person reimburse the costs if and 
only if found guilty.

HOUSE CALENDAR AND RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (please contact each member and 
ask them to OPPOSE this bill.  The phone/fax numbers are for their Nashville

offices)
Chair: Rep. Bill Dunn
R-Knoxville, District 16 - Part of Knox Cty: Phone (615) 741-1721 Fax (615) 
253-0276
Vice-Chair: Rep. Larry Turner
D-Memphis District 85 - Part of Shelby Cty:  Phone (615) 741-6954 Fax (615) 
741-3144
Secretary: Rep. Matthew Hill
R-Jonesborough District 7 - Part of Washington Cty: Phone: 615-741-2251 
Members:  Rep. Joe Armstrong  Phone (615) 741-0768 Fax (615) 253-0316
rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov  ; Rep. Stratton Bone JR D-Lebanon District

46 - Cannon, Trousdale and part of Wilson Cties: Phone (615) 741-7086 Fax 
(615) 741-2405 rep.stratton.bone@capitol.tn.gov  ;Rep. Harry Brooks 
R-Knoxville District 19 - Part of Knox Cty: Phone (615) 741-6879 Fax (615) 
253-0212
rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Glen Casada R-Franklin District 63 - 
Part of Williamson Cty: Phone (615) 741-4389 rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov 
;Rep. Kent Coleman D-Murfreesboro District 49 - Part of Rutherford Cty: 
Phone (615) 741-6829 Fax (615) 253-0332 rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov ; 
Rep. John J. Deberry JR. D-Memphis District 90 - Part of Shelby Cty: Phone 
(615) 741-2239 Fax (615) 253-0294
rep.john.deberry@capitol.tn.gov ;Rep. Lois DeBerry D-Memphis District 91 - 
Part of Shelby Cty: Phone (615) 741-3830 Fax (615) 741-3992 
rep.lois.deberry@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Craig Fitzhugh D-Ripley
District 82 - Lauderdale, Crockett and part of Dyer Cties: Phone (615) 
741-2134 Fax (615) 741-1446
rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Bill Harmon D-Dunlap District 37 - 
Sequatchie, Van Buren, Grundy and Marion Cties: Phone (615) 741-6849 Fax 
(615) 253-0264 rep.bill.harmon@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Beth Harwell 
R-Nashville District 56 - Part of Davidson Cty: Phone (615) 741-0709 Fax 
(615) 741-4917
rep.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Susan M. Lynn R-Mt. Juliet District 
57 - Part of Sumner and Wilson Cties: Phone (615) 741-7462 Fax (615) 
253-0353 rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Judd Matheny

R-Tullahoma District 47 - Coffee and part of Warren Cties: Phone (615) 
741-7448 Fax (615) 253-0226
rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Joe McCord R-Maryville District 8 - 
Parts of Blount and Sevier Cties: Phone (615) 741-5481 Fax (615) 253-0220 
McCormick R-Chattanooga District 26 - Part of Hamilton Cty: Phone (615) 
741-2548 Fax (615) 253-0305 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Steve

McManus R-Cordova District 96 - Part of Shelby Cty: Phone (615) 741-1920 Fax

(615) 253-0232 rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Gary W. Moore, SR 
D-Joelton District 50 - Part of Davidson Cty: Phone (615) 741-4317 Fax (615)

253-0360
rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Jason E. Mumpower R-Bristol District 
3 - Johnson and part of Sullivan Cties: Phone (615) 741-2050 Fax (615) 
253-0298 rep.jason.mumpower@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Gary Odom D-Nashville 
District 55 - Part of Davidson Cty: Phone (615) 741-4410 Fax (615) 741-7528
rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Curry Todd R-Collierville District 95 - 
Part of Shelby Cty: Phone (615) 741-1866 Fax (615) 532-8221 
rep.curry.todd@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Joe Towns, JR D-Memphis
District 84 - Parts of Shelby Cty: Phone (615) 741-2189 Fax (615) 253-0201 
rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov ; Rep. Mike Turner D-Old Hickory District 51 - 
Part of Davidson Cty: Phone (615) 741-3229 Fax (615) 741-4322 
rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov ; Speaker Kent Williams Carter Cty 
Republican-Elizabethton District 4 - Carter Cty: Phone (615) 741-7450 Fax 
(615) 253-0310

Woofer Deadline For May = April 17

Please note the deadline for the Woofer is no longer the 20th of each month. It has changed to "third Friday of each month" - to allow production time over a weekend, so the issue can be published in good time. 

May issue deadline is April 17 - one week from today!!
June issue deadline is May 15
July issue deadline is June 19
August issue deadline is July 17
September issue deadline is August 21

Thanks folks! 

~
Missy Neal, Editor
ORKC Woofer
~

Friday Workday

Robert Herrell and Robert Pless will be at the training facility for
a few hours on Friday morning from about 9:00 until 1:00 or 2:00, in
case anyone wants to come and help. No RSVP is necessary, but email
Robert Pless <repless@gmail.com> for details!

Please Write your letters to AVMA from Delegates Crop Dock

I am writing for two reasons.  First, I was asked to repeat my message from March 16th.  Apparently, not everyone received it and some people received a garbled version.
 
Second, I am writing you each to encourage your Parent Club to go forward with writing their letter to AVMA and to share it with the rest of us.
 
Peter Piusz
American Rottweiler Club
 
Repeat of my email of March 16th:
 
The delegates from the Crop Dock meeting asked me to give them a series of "talking points".  They felt this would give them the confidence to go forward with their Boards and write their own letters.
 
My talking points are:
Only write about what you know.  If you are "docking", write about docking.  If "cropping", then write about cropping.
Do not make up fantasy arguments that do not pass the common sense test or would be rejected by your members for their own use.  Historical arguments that utilize settings and conditions rarely encountered in today's world are fun, but in reality, they boil down to the breed image of the dog today (see below).

The basic argument for everyone is that docking and/or cropping is inherent in the breed and intrinsic to the identity of the breed.  Undocked or uncropped dogs leaves undesirable dogs that do not fit the image of the breed. For Rottweilers, the breed is an outdoor-farm dog that has been domesticated and brought into the home.  The undocked tail is a large thick appendage, which specializes in clearing tables and beating on you, your children, and your visitors with authority.

The above example can be crafted to any specific breed, but needs to utilize both the specific tail and the physical traits of the breed.  Example, little spindly tails can be characterized as easily broken or injured.
For docking.  A key element needs to be a direct attack on the credibility of AVMA for raising issues about docking puppies at 3 days of age.  For a scientific organization, where is the science?  Where are the studies?  It must be nice to pontificate on the world from an ivory tower without doing the research. Every docked breed and all of the related breeders can testify to the lack of negative impact from docking to the puppies involved.  Where is the evidence to contradict the evidence of 1000's of litters each year?  What about the cumulative evidence of the last hundred years?
_________
Peter Piusz
Ad Facs
339 County Highway 106
Johnstown, NY 12095
Cell:  518-429-9929

DECIDE FOR YOURSELF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
04/01/09
Press contact:
Donna Malone, President
(901) 353-1805
Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee

DECIDE FOR YOURSELF! COMMERCIAL BREEDER LICENSE -- GOOD OR BAD?

We agree that breeders who keep animals in filthy, inhumane conditions should be punished. We also agree that breeders who sell unhealthy pets to potential owners should be punished. There are, however, already laws to address both issues, as evidenced by all the recent puppymill busts. We do believe, however, that the standard of care used to protect animals in Tennessee is low and needs to be raised.

The proposed Commercial Breeder License is undesirable for the following reasons:

Let's call the alleged "Commercial Breeder License" bill what it really is -- a BACKDOOR mandatory spay/neuter law. It does what all mandatory spay/neuter laws do, it infringes on your right to own and breed, it just takes a more convoluted path to get there. It does not start out forcing all owners to spay/neuter their pets, only those who possess or maintain twenty (20) or more unsterilized adult female dogs or cats in Tennessee for the purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. It is still spay or pay - the motive behind all mandatory s/n laws.

The proposed bill, creates a new class of criminal - anyone who owns twenty (20) or more unsterilized adult female dogs or cats in Tennessee. You will be left, if you are innocent, to "prove" your intent was not to sell. The reality is that, as every proponent of the law has so eloquently said, "Why would anyone have over 20 unsterilized animals unless they were breeding to sell?" That is presumption of guilt on their part and only serves to illustrate that, if you are innocent and changed under the proposed law, proving your innocence will be a difficult, expensive (probably over $5000 at a minimum for legal services and boarding fees if animals are confiscated) proposition.

Mandatory spay/neuter and breeder licensing laws are currently being proposed all over the Country. This is a deliberate, well-planned, coordinated attack on responsible breeders by philosophical extremists. Unable to successfully target owners with mandatory spay/neuter laws, these extremists are now targeting breeders directly. They do so by alleging that there is a need for additional legislation to protect consumers and animals and it, happily, will increase revenues for the enacting entity.  That is all smoke and mirrors!  What they are doing is and remains promoting of plank 10 of the extremist animal rights' platform: "Stop any further breeding of companion animals, including purebred dogs and cats.. . . .Abolish commerce in animals for the pet trade."

Further evidence of animal rights extremists' hands on the proposed bill is that it reads that if you are a "Releasing agency" defined in the proposed law as a pound, animal shelter, humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other similar entity or home-based rescue that releases companion animals for adoption" you CANNOT get a commercial breeder license! In other words, if you breed "commercially," whatever that means, you cannot rescue. Why? Animal rights extremists don't want breeders to be able to "legitimize" (in anyone's mind) themselves by rescuing. What happened to their mantra, "Don't breed if you don't rescue?" The goal is no possibility of positive PR for breeders, responsible or not!

The proposed bill unreasonably lumps true commercial breeders, puppymillers, and individual breeders who have an extended breeding program together. This will further confuse an already confused public as to whom is or is not a good source for pets.

Breeder licensing limits the sources available to potential owners, making it more likely they will have to turn to large scale breeders whose focus is on financial profit rather than producing quality pets. Like all mandatory spay/neuter laws, it promotes the "adopt one until there are none" push of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), who by the way has worked on and is lobbying for the proposed law.

Breeder licensing will NOT protect animals from the inhumane conditions that exist in (puppy/kitten) mills. Tennessee already has animal protection laws to address puppymill conditions.  A breeder license will just allow the government's "camel's nose" into heretofore private property, i.e., your home. 

Breeder licensing will NOT protect consumers from less scrupulous breeders. Tennessee already has consumer protections laws -- incorporating such laws by reference into a breeder licensing law will do nothing to increase the protection such laws provide.

Breeder licensing will NOT increase state revenues nor will it provide the funds necessary to support a new bureaucracy to enforce the law. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports only 27 breeders and/or dealers are registered in Tennessee, although the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires them to register. Twenty-seven (27) breeders and/or dealers will NOT generate the funds necessary to support a new bureaucracy. What will they do to support it? Lower the number that triggers the requirement to be licensed? Raise the license fees? Neither is good for breeders or pet owners.

Most breeders will not comply with a breeder licensing law. In fact, where similar legislation has been enacted, the blowback is that fewer people license their pets increasing animal control-related costs generally and the potential for rabies outbreaks, a human-health concern.

Breeder licensing will NOT make those who currently do not "pay their fair share" (of what?) pay their "fair share." If a breeder does not report his income to the federal government, and pay applicable taxes, it is not logical to assume he will comply with additional state or local laws.

Breeder licensing will create an unfunded, expensive, bureaucratic nightmare for the State of Tennessee. 

Breeder licensing sill increase the cost of pets, thereby, limiting their availability to potential low and fixed-income owners and the public generally.

Article 1, Sec. 21 of the Tennessee Constitution states, "No man's services or property taken without consent or compensation. That no man's particular services shall be demanded, or property taken, or applied to public use, without the consent of his representatives, or without just compensation being made therefor. Title 1, Chapter 3, §§1-3-105 states: ""Personal property" includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt;" Part of the value of your "chattels" rests in its ability to reproduce, thus, the proposed law is in violation of the Tennessee Constitution. Don't let your "representatives" deprive you of your rights, oppose the proposed Commercial Breeder Licensing bill!

And, finally, one of the most ludicrous arguments we have heard to-date for this commercial breeder law is that the "attorney general wants numbers." He probably wants a raise too. So what? Who cares? Your elected representatives are supposed to represent your interests, not those of some government employee no matter what his title may be.

Contact your state legislators (State Representatives and Senators) and express your objections to SB0258 and HB0386, a.k.a., the "Commercial Breeder Act". Their contact information is available from the State's website at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/ or from your local election commission or public library.

In addition, contact the bill's House and Senate sponsors below and ask them to pull the bills:

Rep. Janis Baird Sontany (Primary House Sponsor)
32 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0153
Phone (615) 741-6861
Fax (615) 253-0325
rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Debra Young Maggart
203 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0145
Phone (615) 741-3893
Fax (615) 253-0350
rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov 

Rep. Henry Fincher
32 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0142
Phone (615) 741-1875
rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov 

Rep. Steve McManus
107 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0196
Phone (615) 741-1920
Fax (615) 253-0232
rep.steve.mcmanus@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mike Turner
18 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0151
Phone (615) 741-3229
Fax (615) 741-4322
rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. David Shepard
34 Legislative Plaza Nashville, TN 37243-0169
Phone (615) 741-3513
Fax (615) 253-0244
rep.david.shepard@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Charles Michael Sargent
206 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0161
Phone (615) 741-6808
Fax (615) 253-0217
rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov 

Senator Doug Jackson (Primary Senate Sponsor)
302 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0025
Phone (615) 741-4499
Fax (615) 253-0241
sen.doug.jackson@capitol.tn.gov

Senator Bill Ketron
13 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0213
Phone (615) 741-6853
Fax (615) 741-7200
sen.bill.ketron@capitol.tn.gov

If you do not want to continue to receive information about the proposed bill, please email raotinc@aol.com . If you know of other individuals who would like to receive this information, please either have them email us to let us know or send us their email address with their permission.

CALL TODAY!

FORWARD TO A FRIEND!

_________________________________

Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee
3327 Lockmeade Drive
Memphis Tennessee 38127
United States

 

You are subscribed to this newsletter as missy@kngc.com. Please click here to modify your message preferences or to unsubscribe from any future mailings. We will respect all unsubscribe requests.