What follows is a departure from my usual ramblings about our lives with the Lhasas. I am proud to have been breeding and showing purebred Lhasa Apsos for nearly 40 years. I have done my best to promote the breed by educating newcomers and by doing my best to breed healthy, happy Lhasas who provide their owners with love and companionship. All of us who breed and show know that the majority of the puppies we raise will be someone's pet so we realize how important it is to raise the puppies in an environment conducive to living with people and contributing to people's lives (hey...a Lhasa kiss, and a Lhasa cuddle, and a good laugh at Lhasa antics are all contributions to a happy life!). If you own a purebred dog, Lhasa or otherwise, I want you to think for a few minutes about where and from whom you purchased that dog.
In many cases, you probably purchased your pet from a breeder like me, someone who invites people into her home to meet the puppies, to meet the parents, and to learn about the breed; someone who likes to see photos and receive letters and emails telling her how the dog is growing and developing and describing cute and funny incidents in the dog's and family's life. Perhaps because of distance you were unable to have that experience and found a breeder who was willing to ship that dog to you or to meet you at a dog show with the puppy or to have the puppy delivered by a friend or to drive to meet you halfway so you did not have to make a long, long trek.
What you'll read below is a bulletin from AKC about proposed regulations that could cause problems for breeders like me -- not commercial breeders, not "puppy-mill" operations, not breeders who sell to brokers or to pet shops and who see puppies as little dollar signs, not breeders who just want to sell dogs, forget about them and their new owners, and get on with breeding the next batch of pups -- but people who truly care about their breed, about the future of the breed, and about the future of each puppy they bring into the world.
You see, like many plans that seem to be well-intended, these particular regulations will do more harm than good when it comes to the small breeder. In an attempt to protect dogs from unhealthy environments and living conditions and wipe out the "bad" breeders, these regulations will negatively impact the good with the bad. For example, if a breeder like me sells just one puppy without the new owners visiting the home, a home-raised environment will have to be replaced with one that complies with federal regulations for large commercial breeding operations. (No carpeted surfaces, no soft blankets or doggie beds for the babies to snuggle down in...?)
Okay, there's more and you can read, so I encourage you to read the brief information below and to read from the other links AKC provides. The Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) website contains a list of comments pointing out why the regulations are detrimental to small breeders. Background and good explanations are available in a well-written article by Carlotta Cooper.
My request is that after you read, you take time to go to the AKC site (see link below) and sign the petition. It takes only a few minutes.
"Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you." You read those words on each one of my blogs. And if you own a Lhasa, you know it is true.
Those of us breeding them are becoming fewer and fewer, as many of you who are searching for puppies have already discovered. Wouldn't it be a shame if regulations such as the ones being proposed cause those of us left to throw in the towel? If you've sat on the floor of my family room while puppies romped about you, if you have one or more of my Lhasas living in your home, sitting on your lap, and loving you, if you'd hate to deny anyone else the opportunity to have that same experience -- please sign the AKC petition. Time is running out; the deadline is the 15th.
Thanks,
Joyce
Proposed Federal Regulations Threaten Small Breeders and Hobbyists!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed new regulations that would create harsh and unintended
consequences for responsible fanciers and hobby breeders in this country. We need your help to send the clear message to
USDA that harsh, unreasonable regulations are not in the best interest of dogs or puppy buyers and threaten the future
of purebred dogs in the United States!
Summary:
The proposed regulations state that anyone with more than four “breeding females” that sell even one animal sight unseen
would be regulated as a commercial breeder and subject to federal standards and inspections. This includes any time a buyer
does not come to the breeder’s premises and see the animal in person – even if the buyer and seller have a previous, accepted
arrangement (for example – having a friend deliver the puppy, arranging the purchase of another puppy based on an existing
relationship, or acquiring a puppy as part of a co-ownership arrangement).
The term “breeding female” is not defined, so it is unclear how the USDA or breeders themselves could determine exactly
which animals would be considered breeding animals and who would be subject to USDA oversight. The term includes
multiple species – including cats, dogs, and small mammals. Therefore, a dog breeder might own only one intact female dog
(along with other species) and still be subject to USDA commercial breeder regulations if they sell a single puppy off their
premises.
The AKC believes that the USDA’s “one-size-fits-all” regulations are not in the best interest of all dogs, responsible
breeders, or puppy buyers. It is also unreasonable and virtually impossible for responsible hobbyists to comply with
regulations designed for large, commercial operations.
How You Can Help:
• Sign the AKC’s Petition – Visit akc.org/petition and join the tens of thousands of Americans who have signed the
petition in support of the AKC’s position and responsible breeders. This petition, which will be submitted with the
AKC’s formal comments to the USDA, will demonstrate the immense number of people who are concerned about
this issue. The petition must be signed by July 15.
• Submit Comments Directly to the USDA’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – Visit
akc.org/GovernmentRelations to view more information on the proposed regulations and find the link to submit
comments. This will educate APHIS on exactly how this proposal will impact responsible breeders and dog owners.
Comments must be submitted by July 16.
Both actions are important in helping us send a powerful, clear message to APHIS on this issue!
Visit the AKC Government Relations USDA/APHIS Regulations Resource page at akc.org/governmentrelations for more
detailed information, frequently asked questions and other helpful resources.
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