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CONYERS
KENNEL CLUB JULY 2010 NEWSLETTER
Hello Everyone. Our meeting this month will be Monday, July 12, 2010. We meet
at IHOP to eat at 6:30 and the meeting starts around 7:30. We hope to see you
all there.
Nancy Donahue has arranged for Dr.
Hines of Alpharetta Animal Hospital to come speak at our meeting in August
about the stem cell work they are doing for dogs with hip dysplasia. (Not this
month, next month)
CONYERS KENNEL
CLUB
Meeting Minutes
6-14-2010
The meeting was opened
by Vice President, Randall McCurry at 7:30 p.m.
President Don Watson and
Treasurer Rhea Spence were unable to make the meeting. The Treasurer’s Report
was forwarded to Randall and distributed to members for review.
-Randall asked if there
were any changes or additions to the Minutes of the May meeting as published in
the newsletter. No corrections necessary. Motion to accept the Minutes was
made by Merry Carol Hourchard, seconded by Mike Shelton.
-Don Watson had
mentioned that the Budget was to be discussed at this meeting. The 2009-2010
was emailed to members for review. Randall asked if there were any changes or
suggestions for this budget as the Budget Committee has already suggested the
budget remain the same.
The question was asked-
Why is there no expenses for the Cluster Shows in the budget? The show expenses
have always been handled outside of the Annual Operating Budget. Merry Carol
Houchard reported that the oxygen masks have been obtained at no cost to the
club, so that could be removed from the budget. Linda Jackson made the
suggestion that the budget discussion be tabled until next month when more
members are present.
-Mike Houchard passed
around an article about the UGA Scholarship that recognized the Kennel Clubs
that supported the UGA students.
Mike reported that the
Coalition has no adverse bills for us to be concerned about at this time. The
mandatory spay/neuter bill is dead but we are still a targeted state by the
HSUS.
Mike reported that the
AKC Delegates meeting was held in Atlanta. This is the attended meeting due to
the summer holidays. There is a proposal to do away with the June meeting. The
AKC members in the Atlanta area did a Hospitality Bag with Georgia memorabilia
for the Delegates. The cost of these bags was approximately $700 and all member
clubs were asked to donate to this cost. Linda Jackson made a motion to donate
up to $150 to this cause. Motion was seconded by Mike Shelton. Motion passed.
Mike also reported that
the issue of Judges Fees is going back to the table.
He also reported that
the Grand Champion Title is bringing out more finished champions to the show
ring.
-Linda Jackson reported
that the Handling Class was a great success this spring and after expenses,
showed a profit of $126.45. Linda made a motion to donate these profits to
Kellers’ Kupboard to purchase pet food. Seconded by Mike Shelton. Motion
passed.
-Jan Moore let members
know of an embroidery business (CRAFTYTAC) in Conyers that does excellent work,
has great prices and a very quick turnaround time.
-Jerri Dandelske asked
for members to send pictures and any other information that they would like to
see on the website to her.
-Jackie Dilworth
reported that 240 pounds and 25 cans of dog food was donated at the graduation
of the Handling Class.
-Erin Mayfield asked for
input for the RDOD event this fall. There is a chance of doing it during the
Rockdale County Fair at the Horse Park. We can also do a standalone event.
Erin will contact the people doing the Fair for more information and will report
back at the next meeting.
Brags this month came
from Steve and Nancy Donahue. Their Puli finished with a 4 point major going
Best of Breed over the #1 Breed and All-Breed Puli and made the cut in the
group. Congratulations to CH Prydain Kangaroo Kourt at Donasell!
Recorded by Jerri
Dandelske Secretary
RDOD
Great news! We are welcome to have our RDOD in conjunction with the Rockdale
County Fair at the GHIP this year. The potential dates are: Sat and Sun, Sept 25
& 26, and the next weekend, Oct 2& 3.
We can have the same grassy space and also stage space for the Meet the Breed
and presentation of the essay winners. The Fair director is very excited and
willing to give us the space for free, as we are a non profit and the purpose of
our activity is educational for the community! She loves the essay contest and
thrilled that we have contacts in the school systems in the area.
She is bubbling with ideas....would love to have some official competitions
during the fair too- matches, sanctioned events, etc if we want to do that. we
are welcome to bring ideas to her. The Fair is very busy from opening to
closing, with numerous fun and educational activities for families throughout
the day. I think she is going to be delightful to work with.
We just need to decide what we want to do.....
If anyone has ideas and wants to talk before the next meeting in Aug, please
call Erin Mayfield so we can get things moving!!
Thanks loads for all of your support!!
AKC
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
--AKC Adds New Titles in Conformation, Companion and Performance Events --
New York, NY - Since the start of the year, each event type - conformation,
companion and performance - now offers its exhibitors a brand new AKC title. The
conformation and performance titles will appeal to the long-time exhibitor while
the companion title will help bring along the novice handler or inexperienced
dog.
Last month, Conformation added the Grand Champion title. Judges now have the
opportunity of awarding Grand Championship points to their Best of Breed and
Best of Opposite winners as well as to additional AKC Champions with the Select
Dog and Select Bitch award. We believe this title gives breeders and owners a
new way to showcase the quality of their breeding stock to judges and other
breeders and exhibitors alike. We encourage you to take advantage of the
enhanced conformation title.
We are proud to announce that we already have the first AKC Grand Champion in
history - a 4-year old Weimaraner named GCH Monterra's Best Bet, MH - who
finished his title in six consecutive shows. As an additional recognition for
dogs that complete their Grand Champion title, they will also receive an
invitation to the AKC / Eukanuba National Championship.
Starting this summer, Companion events will offer a new Beginner Novice
obedience title. This title is an excellent competitive event for both the
novice handler and dog. Most exercises, a blend from Rally and Companion Dog,
are completed on-leash.
In the Performance area, Earthdog competitors now have the opportunity to earn a
new title - the Endurance Earthdog - the first addition since the program's
inception in 1993. This EE title provides a new challenge for dogs that have
earned their Master Earthdog title by requiring them to earn five double
qualifications in master and senior. A Border Terrier named "Rosemary" recently
earned the first ever EE title.
As you know, Parent Clubs also have a variety of breed specific sports and
events. The Board recently approved a program to allow the recording of parent
club performance event titles if AKC does not provide a test for these
breed-specific skills. The Bloodhound Club of America is the first to apply for
acknowledgment of its titles with their "man-trailing event". If your parent
club would like to participate in this new program please contact Performance
Events AVP Doug Ljungren at DVL@akc.org.
As you can see, it's an exciting time for AKC exhibitors. Whether you want to
compete further, add more titles or participate in parent club events, we hope
these new AKC titles will inspire you to reach higher goals, remain longer on
the competitive trail, and provide you with more ways to bond with your dog.
Sincerely,
Ron Menaker
Chairman
Canine Health
Foundation News Alert (1)
Podcast Released about Purina Veterinary Diets
[Friday, June 4, 2010]
The Canine
Health Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of the next podcast in
the Genome Barks series.
This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Chad Reese, Assistant Brand Manager for
Veterinary Diets with Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. Mr. Reese outlines several
therapeutic diets from Purina available exclusively through your veterinarian,
including diets for joint mobility, allergies and gastrointestinal issues. Mr.
Reese also discusses some of the science behind the diets, and talks about the
different research facilities that are working to bring nutrition to your dog.
The Genome Barks podcast series features lectures from the highly successful AKC
and CHF Breeders Symposia and provides responsible breeders and pet owners an
inside look at the work being done by the Canine Health Foundation..
New podcasts are released every two weeks and can be accessed from the Canine
Health Foundation website at
www.CanineHealthFoundation.org - click on "Podcasts." They are also
available on Apple's iTunes or directly at
www.genomebarks.com.
Clubs are encouraged to add the Genome Barks Podcast link to their home pages.
Contact the Canine Health Foundation to obtain graphics and links.
Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (2)
Final
Presentation Video Released from the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health
Conference
[Monday, May 31, 2010]
The Canine Health
Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of the final video recorded at
the 2009 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference held in St. Louis. The
October conference, sponsored by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, brought together
leading researchers and representatives from national breed clubs to discuss the
current state of canine health research, and where the future will lead.
The video released is Dr. Matthew Breen, "Canine Cancer & Comparative Genomics:
New Technologies, New Opportunities."
Click here to view the this video and others from the 2009 National Parent Club
Canine Health Conference.
Advances in genomics technologies over the past decade have been astonishing,
leading to a revolution in biomedical research and an impact on human society
that may rival that of the industrial revolution. The application of genomics to
canine biomedical research has seen a number of significant advances as we
strive to enhance the health and welfare of our companions. Comparative genomics
may be defined broadly as any area of research in which the sequence and
function of genomes of different species are compared. With complete genome
sequences available both for human and dog, we now are able to identify regions
of both genomes that are shared and are associated with disease, and thus begin
to understand which genes specifically are playing key roles in a variety of
disease processes. The core similarity of genes defining human and dog allows
the dog to be considered as a valid biomedical model system of numerous human
genetic disease, including cancers. The comparative value of biomedical research
is widely accepted and there is every expectation that data generated from
studies of canine diseases ultimately will have a major impact on human health.
Dr. Matthew Breen completed his PhD in cytogenetics in 1990 and then spent two
years as a Post Doc in Molecular Genetics at the UK Medical Research Council's
Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh. Dr. Breen then spent four years working for
the research arm of the Australian Thoroughbred industry, returning to the UK in
1996 where his laboratory developed molecular cytogenetics reagents, resources
and techniques for application to canine genome mapping, comparative
cytogenetics and cancer studies. In 2002 Dr. Breen relocated his laboratory to
North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine as part of
their Genomics initiative. His research interests continue to focus on the
genomics, genome mapping and the comparative aspects of canine cancer. Dr. Breen
currently has a number of active grants from the CHF that are focused on the
molecular cytogenetic evaluation of canine tumors.
Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (3)
Purina
Walk of Champions Paves the Way to a Healthier Future for Dogs
[Friday, May 28, 2010]
A brick walkway
honoring dogs that have earned titles in any canine sport will pave the way to
the new Purina Event Center, which opens this fall at Purina Farms in Gray
Summit, Missouri, and will also help support the Canine Health Foundation.
The Purina Walk of Champions contains about 4,000 bricks leading to the entrance
of the world-class, multimillion-dollar indoor facility. The Event Center will
host all-breed dog shows, national specialties, agility and obedience trials.
"The engraved brick pavers that make up the Purina Walk of Champions are a
wonderful way to pay tribute to a special dog," says Cindy Vogels, chairman of
the Canine Health Foundation. "The gesture extends not only to your own dog but
to dogs everywhere through support of canine health research."
Owners may purchase bricks in their dogs' honor by providing $100 to the Canine
Health Foundation. Of this amount, $70 is a tax-deductible donation. The largest
nonprofit organization that funds health research exclusively for canines, the
Canine Health Foundation has awarded nearly $24 million since 1995 to support
canine health research at veterinary schools and research institutions
worldwide.
Ann Viklund, Purina Director of Conformation, Sporting and Breeder Marketing,
says, "We are pleased to offer this opportunity to the dog fancy. The Walk of
Champions will be noticed by all who visit the Purina Event Center. It provides
a way of commemorating special dogs forever."
Since 1997, Purina and the Canine Health Foundation have worked together to
support canine health studies that will benefit dogs and those who love them.
Many groundbreaking discoveries and collaborations have taken place in many
areas of canine health and genetics because of this liaison.
For information about purchasing a brick on the Purina Walk of Champions contact
the Canine Health Foundation at 888-682-9696 or
click here to purchase your brick online.
Click here for more information about the Purina Event Center.
Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (4)
CHF
Ranked #77 - Keep Voting to Help the Canine Health Foundation Win $50,000 for
Cancer Research
[Thursday, June 17, 2010]
The Canine Health
Foundation is pleased that we're currently ranked #77 in the Pepsi Refresh
Project. However, in order to win, we need to be in the Top 10. We still need
YOUR HELP to
win by voting for our project "Eliminate Cancer for Dogs and Children," which
will support osteosarcoma research with Drs. Kerstin Lindblad-Toh and Jaime
Modiano.
Here's what you do: Visit
Refresh
Everything,
sign in and vote for the Canine Health Foundation's idea.
But don't just vote today!
We need you to vote every
day in June. And share this with all your friends! Put the
information on your Facebook page. Email the link to our idea page to your
address book. Share the page with your friends and family.
With everyone we know who loves dogs voting for us, we should have no problem
winning! Thank you for your support and remember, please vote
everyday until
the end of June! Together, we can help all dogs and their owners live longer,
healthier lives!
Click here for
additional information about the active research the CHF has funded.
You can help by
providing financial support to the Canine Health Foundation's efforts; click
here to make a secure online donation and please consider a recurring gift.
Canine
Health Foundation News Alert (5)
Van
Andel Research Institute Launches New Canine Cancer Studies! Your Participation
is Needed in the Collection of Tumor Samples
[Tuesday, June 15, 2010]
The Van Andel
Research Institute, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, received a "Grand Opportunities"
(GO grant) from the National Institutes of Health. This is enabling the
Institute to expand its canine cancer studies, which started with a project
partially funded by the Canine Health Foundation investigating hemangiosarcoma
in Clumber Spaniels 18 months ago, into a much broader research program. They
are launching a new center of excellence in canine genetics and genomics. The
first and most important program is the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium
(CHCC), which is headed by Drs. Jeff Trent (TGen), Nick Duesbery (Van Andel
Research Institute), and Paul Meltzer (National Cancer Institute/NIH). The
program is an unprecedented alliance of scientists, veterinarians and
physicians. Drs. Duesbery and Froman are intensely focused on recruiting canine
cancer patients for the study through a variety of clinical outreach programs.
Samples from canine patients will not only allow the researchers to identify
genes responsible for breed-specific susceptibilities (such as hemangiosarcoma
in Clumber Spaniels and osteosarcoma in Greyhounds), but also to translate these
discoveries into new and more precise diagnostics and therapeutics for both
canine and human cancer patients. The ultimate goal is to take personalized
medicine for dogs to unscaled heights!
You can find more information about this program in
From Bark to Bedside: Dogs Point to Cancer Culprits found in the 31st issue
of Discoveries, the Canine Health Foundation newsletter.
The CHCC has been developed to investigate five initial cancers in dogs, which
also affect people. The first five cancers they'll be researching are:
-
Hemangiosarcoma
-
Osteosarcoma
-
Lymphoma
-
Malignant
histiocytosis
-
Melanoma
(oral and digital)
In order to move forward, they need your help. The Institute will be studying
only naturally ocurring tumors, so they need the assistance of owners with dogs
who develop any of the above types of cancer. They are requesting fresh (NOT in
formalin) tumor samples when the dog has surgery, a biopsy or is euthanized.
They also need 3 mls of blood in an EDTA (purple top) tube. If a tumor sample is
not immediately available, (a dog who has had surgery, for example), a blood
sample is still useful. If your dog is scheduled for surgery, please contact
VARI ahead of time so they can FedEx a tumor collection kit to your
veterinarian. You can contact the CHCC at 616.234.5569. You may also email Dr.
Froman at
roe.froman@vai.org. Consent forms and more information for veterinarians can
be accessed and downloaded from their website,
Helping Dogs. In addition, they are collecting DNA samples from a wide
variety of healthy, purebred dogs, for use as controls. Your help is greatly
appreciated.
Click here for additional information about the active research the CHF has
funded.
You can help by providing financial support to the Canine Health Foundation's
efforts; click here to make a secure online donation and please consider a
recurring gift.
AKC Canine Health
Foundation News Alert (6)
AKC
Canine Health Foundation Releases Podcast on Canine Eye Disease with Optigen
[Friday, July 2, 2010]
The AKC Canine
Health Foundation is pleased to release the next podcast in the Genome Barks
series. This week on Genome Barks we welcome Sue Pearce-Kelling, President of
Optigen, LLC. Ms. Pearce-Kelling discusses the DNA tests that Optigen offers,
the current research projects Optigen is performing, as well as the importance
of annual eye exams, and the purposes of both DNA tests and eye exams.
Susan Pearce-Kelling (Sue PK) has been a dog person from her first days of
toddling aside Gunner, a patient English Setter who helped her learn to walk.
The next dog in her family was a young Brittany spaniel that tragically died
from Canine Distemper Virus in the days before the CDV vaccine was widely
available. The memory of that pup's suffering helped to shape her interest in
disease and canine medicine. She focused on biology and gained a Masters of
Science degree in veterinary pathology from Cornell while working on CDV in the
laboratories of Drs. Max Appel and Brian Summers at the James Baker Institute.
While there, she moved into research with Drs. Gus Aguirre and Greg Acland whose
work focused on inherited eye diseases in dogs. This led to her current vocation
of overseeing the operation of OptiGen, a DNA testing laboratory that
specializes in inherited eye diseases of dogs. Sue and her husband raised and
showed Golden Retrievers for many years before raising their two sons (who are
still working on their obedience titles).
The Canine Health Foundation will be providing additional educational
opportunities: the Breeders Symposium at the Phoenix Inn Suites in Olympia,
Washington on August 14, and the University of Georgia Breeders Symposium
September 11. For more information or to register,
click here.
Click here for additional information about the active research the CHF has
funded.
You can help by providing financial support to the AKC Canine Health
Foundation's efforts; click here to make a secure online donation and please
consider a recurring gift.
_______________________________________________________________
Breeder’s Symposium: University of Georgia
Presented by the American Kennel
Club and
Canine Health Foundation
Saturday, September 11, 2010
College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Georgia
501 DW Brooks Drive, Room 323
Athens, Georgia
Register Now!
Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration opens Saturday at
7:30 am
Cost $95.00 ($200 for those
seeking CEUs)
Includes Conference Material
and Lunch
Topics to include:
Pedigree Analysis, Breeding
Strategies & Other Topics – Jerold Bell, DVM
Reproduction – Bruce Hollett, DVM,
MS, DACT
Vaccinations – Kate Creevy, DVM,
MS, DACVIM
Endocrine Disease – Cynthia Ward,
VMD, PhD, DACVIM
Canine Cancer – Corey Saba, DVM
Neurology – Simon Platt, MRCVS,
DACVIM
To register online, go to:
www.CanineHealthFoundation.org
Click on “Register for Events”
(located on left)
For More Information, Contact:
This course
has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 7 hours of continuing
education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however
participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of
hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of
delivery of continuing education. Call Erika Werne, Director, Education and
Communications (888.682.9696) for further information.
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From our Nation's Capitol
AKC Government Relations and our federal
advocacy team in Washington, D.C., continue
to monitor Congress for issues of interest
to dog owners. Visit our
2010 Legislative Tracking Page and click
on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest
updates on all federal bills currently being
monitored by the AKC.
Check out the latest edition of AKC’s
congressional newsletter
In Session for interviews
with congressional dog owners, policy
analyses, and other articles that help us
demonstrate to Congress our commitment to
the promotion of responsible dog ownership.
Here are a few of the bills we’re
tracking in Congress. |
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News from the State Capitols
The U.S. Congress, 14 state legislatures,
and the District of Columbia are currently
in regular session; Pennsylvania and
California are in special session.
Throughout 2010, AKC Government Relations (GR)
has tracked over 1,100 bills at all levels
of government. For the latest information on
the state and federal bills being tracked by
the Government Relations (GR) Department,
visit our
2010 Legislation Tracking page. This
page, updated daily, provides the latest
bill text, status, and Legislative Alerts
posted by the AKC.
For more information on any of the measures
mentioned, contact us at (919) 816-3720 or
doglaw@akc.org.
Here are some of the highlights. |
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Local Battles
The AKC Government Relations Department
continues to work with responsible dog
owners to help with canine legislation
issues in their local communities. If you
hear of an issue in your town or county,
contact us at (919) 816-3720 or
doglaw@akc.org. We will be happy to
provide you with the resources, tools, and
support you need to help fight for
responsible dog ownership in your community.
Here are some examples of the local
issues currently being addressed by AKC GR. |
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Introducing AKC’s New State Legislative
Newsletter!
For
the past two years, the AKC has published
In Session, a quarterly
newsletter for members of Congress and their
staff that highlights canine legislative
issues and provides information on AKC
programs and community activities. Now, at
the request of many clubs and breeders, we
are pleased to introduce the new
state legislative version of
In Session. This quarterly
newsletter will be sent to every state
legislator throughout the United States, and
also be available on our website for you to
download, read, and share in person with
your lawmakers. In our inaugural issue, we
discuss state resolutions recognizing the
AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, the value
of responsible dog breeders, and highlight a
variety of other AKC programs.
To download this newsletter, visit the
AKC Government Relations website, click
on “Government Relations Newsletters” and
select the link for In Session. This page
includes the most recent issues of both the
state and congressional versions of
In Session, as well as archives.
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Get Involved in the Community This Summer
Summer is a busy time for many local
communities. Fourth of July festivities,
community festivals, and local fairs are
just a few of the broad variety of events
that take place in communities across the
country. It is also a great time to start
planning a Responsible Dog Ownership (RDO)
Day for September.The AKC is offering free
resources to the first 500 organizations to
register their Responsible Dog Ownership
Day community event. All these events are
terrific opportunities to promote
responsible ownership and educate the public
about dogs and canine legislation issues!
Read more.
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New from the GR Toolbox:
Policy Analyses & Canine Legislation
Education
In
our ongoing effort to help educate clubs,
breeders, lawmakers, and the general public
about canine legislation, the AKC Government
Relations Department continues to add new
resources to the
Government Relations Toolbox. This
month, be sure to access six new issue
analyses and articles to help educate you,
your clubs, lawmakers, and your community
about canine legislation and how AKC works
to encourage responsible dog ownership and
to protect the rights of responsible dog
owners.
Read more. |
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The past six months have been very busy for
the Government Relations Department.
Although many legislatures have adjourned,
there are still many
state and
local legislative issues pending across
the United States. I encourage you to review
them to see how you can help, and also to
get a feel for the broad range of issues
facing responsible dog owners and breeders
around the country.
I also strongly encourage you to check out
our
inaugural edition of our newest newsletter,
In Session for state legislators. Until
now, this quarterly newsletter was only for
members of the U.S. Congress. Our new state
version contains some national information,
but also information of special interest to
state legislators.
Starting this month, the state version of In
Session is being sent to every state
legislator in the country. Please take the
time to read this newsletter and consider
printing it and personally giving a copy to
your legislator to help introduce them to
the world of AKC and responsible dog
ownership.
We are also monitoring
new legislation introduced in Congress.
Companion bills S.3424/ H.R.5434, known as
the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety
(“PUPS”) Act, would require all breeders who
sell more than 50 puppies in a one-year
period to obtain a USDA license, maintain
minimum federal standards for care and
conditions, be inspected by the USDA, and
ensure that dogs receive sufficient exercise
to maintain normal muscle mass. The AKC is
currently reviewing this legislation.
The policy-making activity at all levels
demonstrates again the need for continued
education and communication about canine
legislation. In this issue, we encourage you
to consider the many
summer activities in your area and how
you can use those opportunities to promote
responsible dog ownership and breeding. Be
creative, and be sure to let us (as well as
your legislators!) know about the work you
are doing in your community.
This month’s
new features in the AKC Government
Relations Toolbox include easy-to-read
policy analyses on breed-specific
legislation, responsible breeding, and the
importance of dog shows. We encourage you to
print these articles and distribute them to
lawmakers and others in your community.
We’ve also added several articles to help
educate you, your clubs, and other
dog-lovers about canine legislation. These
articles discuss what to do when a bad bill
is introduced and how AKC can help you fight
back.
Finally, even if your state legislature has
adjourned, local governments are still
meeting and may be introducing canine
legislation. Don’t forget to pay attention
to local media and legal/public notices, and
if you see an issue of concern in your area,
be sure to contact us. The AKC Government
Relations team provides numerous services to
help you take a stand in your community.
Thank you for all you do to help us protect
and promote responsible dog ownership and
breeding. We look forward to continuing to
work with you.
All the best,
Sheila Goffe
Director of Government Relations
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Letter To Vet About Animal Welfare vs.
Animal Rights
Dear Dr. ____________ ____ _
As a concerned pet owner, I am extremely worried
that in just a few short years, I will no longer be able to enjoy life with my
pets. Animal Rights groups are systematically chipping away, under the guise of
Animal Welfare, my right to own pets and enjoy the human-animal bond.
There is a huge difference between Animal
Welfare and Animal Rights.
Animal Welfare
is a philosophy that advocates that people who
keep and utilize animals have a moral responsibility to assure their well-being,
and to protect them from abuse and unnecessary suffering. Animal Rights
is a philosophy that advocates animals should be viewed as legal persons, not
property, and that they should not be used in any way.
Groups such as PET A (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (Humane Society of the United States, no direct
affiliation with local humane societies) conduct major political lobbying at the
state and federal levels and spend millions of dollars annually to promote their
agenda and to elect candidates that favor their agenda. That agenda, while
couched in terms of animal welfare, is, in many cases, designed to restrict and
eliminate a pet owner's right to own animals.
Eliminating the right to own pets will
severely affect your veterinary practice ...
Animal Rights organizations spend millions of dollars a year lobbying
politicians. Breed restrictions, early spay and neuter, crop and dock bans, are
all examples of legislation which limits and eliminates pet ownership, community
by community, state by state. These groups feel pet ownership, livestock, food
animals, hunting, medical research, zoos, circuses, rodeos, horse shows, dog
shows, cat shows, bird shows, guide dogs, service dogs, police dogs, and search
and rescue dogs are all "exploitation" of animals and attempt to end them. They
also chip away at the rights of pet owners and their veterinarians to determine
the proper veterinary treatment of their pets' health and welfare.
Laws banning ear cropping, tail docking,
debarking, declawing, or enforcing early spay and neuter protocols attempt to
dictate how you practice medicine. These are surgical procedures that should be
decided on a medical case by case basis in the best interest of the animal
patient, between you, the veterinarian, and me, the pet owner - not a
politician.
I believe that veterinary medical decisions
should be made by veterinarians and pet owners, not by politicians ...
Animal Rights groups encourage politicians to
enact both drastic and seemingly insignificant changes to current legislation.
They play to our emotional, not factual based decisions.
The "owner" vs "guardian" issue is a perfect
example. While on the surface, replacing the term "owner" with "guardian" in
legislation seems to be innocuous, kind-hearted, and a gentler term to use, in
reality, it takes away a pet owner's property rights to own, breed, and even
provide veterinary care for their pet. Once a pet owner is deemed a "guardian,"
it opens the door for third parties to step in, on behalf of the pet, and
override decisions made on behalf of the pet, including veterinary care.
Imagine having to get permission from not only
the pet owner, but a third party "guardian" whenever you recommend a medical
procedure. Imagine having your medical protocol questioned in the local courts
when a "guardian" decides to intercede and files an injunction on behalf of the
pet to prohibit your recommended course of treatment.
Continuing to allow Animal Rights groups to
influence local legislation is harmful to our rights as pet owners and your
rights to determine how you practice veterinary medicine.
This directly affects your ability to both
practice veterinary medicine and earn a living. Without
a pet
population, veterinary medicine would be severely limited, if not totally
destroyed.
As a veterinarian, and a respected member of our
community, your involvement is crucial in the fight against anti-pet
legislation.
Two great sources of information on how to battle
this type of legislation are the NAIA (National Animal Interest Alliance) and
the American Kennel Club.
The NAIA
(www.naiaonline.orq)isanassociationofbusiness.agricultural.scientific.
and recreational interests dedicated to promoting animal welfare, supporting
responsible animal use, and strengthening the bond between humans and animals.
Their members are pet owners, dog and cat clubs, obedience clubs, and rescue
groups, as well as breeders, trainers, veterinarians, research scientists,
farmers, fishermen, hunters, and wildlife biologists. Through the NAIA and the
NAIA Trust
(www.naiatrust.orq)
whose mission is to promote the welfare of animals, strengthen the human-animal
bond and safeguard the rights of responsible animal owners, enthusiasts and
professionals through education, legislation and the courts, Their websites are
filled with facts, figures, and sample talking points to help you become an
expert advocate.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Government
Relations Department
(www.akc.orq/canine leqislation) is
dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, recognizing that advocacy
works best when those who are directly affected by the legislation take the lead
in working with policymakers. With 125 years of experience in the study and
welfare of dogs, the AKC is a leading expert on responsible dog ownership, care,
well-being, and public policy issues that pertain to dog ownership. The primary
role of the AKC in the area of canine public policy is educational and
informational. There is a wealth of information available to you to support the
fight against anti-dog legislation.
Animal Rights legislation affects all of us that
love our pets. Not only does it affect the pet owner, but the pet industry as a
whole, including veterinary medicine, groomers, trainers, pet stores, and
breeders.
We can't let the benefits of the human and animal
bond be taken away from us. We must all work together to preserve our life with
animals. As pet owners, we rely on you, our veterinarian to be there for our
pets' medical needs, to counsel us on their health and well-being. We are
already engaged in this battle with the Animal Rights groups. We need your help!
Grass roots efforts at the local level are what
win the battles against this type legislation. Get involved. Go to your city or
county commission meetings. Facts and figures coming from you, the veterinarian,
create far greater impact than from pet owners alone. After all, most city
commissioners, county commissioners, and legislators own pets, and trust their
veterinarian. You are the expert on veterinary care. They will listen to you.
Best regards,
Get Involved, Stay involved
Brags
Great Dane
Bridlewood’s Dream Machine (Diesel), co-owned by Jackie Dilworth and Dawn O’Cain,
was BOW at both Florence, SC shows. Littersister Bridlewood’s Divine Design
(Diva) co-owned by Jackie Dilworth and Melissa Bennett, was WB.
7 month old
Aileron-Thorncrest’s The Sky of Tomka (Elle) co-owned by Jackie Dilworth with
Marylene Brunelle of Montreal. Started her show career with 6 RWB’s and 2 BOS.
Littersister Aileron Thorncrest’s Murcialago (Mercy), owned by Barb Podger of
Toronto, took a RWB and 2 Bow at her debut.
Newsletter-Sandra McCurry
southforkgolden@aol.com
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