From: saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Marla Belzowski (K-9's))
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: New animal wefare group?
Date: 8 Apr 92 05:01:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: mentor.44387
Organization: Purdue University



I when to a cat show recently at Purdue and just thought I'd
tell you about something I found while I was there.

I walked by this booth for a group called Paws Across Wisconsin.
At first I didn't look too close, but when I did I was shocked!
Here was the first time I've ever seen a group actively working
to promote responsible pet ownership to the public at large.
So I picked up some liturature that I figured I'd post here for
everyone on the net.  None of this liturature is copy righted and
you are free to copy it off and post it anywhere.  It's not
just for the cat people, but for all pet owners in general.
None of it is mine, so I can only debate the legal ramifications
of this, but I can't answer for the group. 

So here's the liturature I grabbed.

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Paws Across Wisconsin
*a non-profit organization*

RE: Control Breeding Ordinances

Dear Sir or Madam:

On behalf of Paws Across Wisconsin, and its members, I am
writing to express our concern regarding possible legislation
that is now being voiced throughout the Stae of Wisconsin.  This
legislation is also being presented under the guise of an "ordinance".

The proposials, as they stand now in numerous states, will impose
a direct and discriminatory threat to pet owners and breeders alike.
This discrimination is against our Constitutional Rights which include the
right to free enterprise and pursuit of happiness.  While we recognize
the need to decrease the "overpopulation" this cannot be accomplished
by violating citizen's rights.  We heartliy agree with neuter/spay needs and
do in fact support this need through various club programs, but an anti-        
breeding bill is the wrong approach.  Since basically breeders make up a 
very small minority of approximately only 1 to 2% of the total population.

Many of the publications and media articles being circulated are
in fact inaccurate with over inflated statemnets and bear an obvious
point of view directed towards breeders.  These publications
have been traced to radical groups that wish to enforce THEIR
perspective on each and every citizen.

Our orgainzation is working diligently to inform the general public
as well as our elected officials.  We are not suggesting or promo-
ting coercive legislation, but a far more viable solution -----
---EDUCATION NOT LEGISLATION!

In order to eliminate the overpopulation in Wisconsin we need to
work in a co-operative program whereby all entities will be rep-
resented.  In conjunction with a reasonable program we need to continue
to reinforce the need for neutering and spaying as an essential
part of responsible pet ownership.

AS it stands now ordanances being passed throughout the nation
will only serve to hamper the charitable work done, not only by
breeders, but also by many legitimate, non-radical animal welfare
groups.  Donations that are normally given to shelters, neuter/spay
clinics and many other welfare groups will not be available.  These
funds will now be used for attorney fees to protect our rights.
In reality, the aforementioned groups will suffer.  Ergo, current &
ongoing legislation will only defeat the purpose.  For instance,
Many Cat Clubs donate a certain amount of their proceeds to a
_recogized_ animal welfare organization that promotes the
altering of pets.  These organizations recieve more overall from
breeders than from any other singular body.

The new ordanances are aimed at eliminating breeders - both dog
and cat.  _Responsible breeders!_  These so called "for the good of
the public" activists have inflated statistics, facts and written
articles.  When these activist and certian well known groups ca;;
for "zero population growth" this can only mean one thing. Extinction!
This fact has been proven in many other species that we are now fighting
to save from extinction.   Further, it would appear that there is definitely
a hidden aganda.  One only has to read such lines as "we should not be allowed 
to have household pets inclusive of specific breeds" to question who and what
is behind such a radical movement.

Responsible and caring people will be discouraged from taking un-
wanted and abandoned animals to shelters for fear of being held
accountable and penalized via proposed fines.

Breeders are responsible, caring, giving peole and are being un-
fairly attacked.  Such ordanances now being proposed can only serve
to put yet one more economic hardship on businesses; ie; hotels,
restaurants, gas stations, pet stores (food), Veterinarians and
numerous other enterprises that contribute to each and every states
tax revenue.

The people of Wisconsin have demonstrated voluntary incentives
for programs that encourage the general public to participate in
responsible pet ownership.  Educate!  It can be done.  A little bit
of knowledge is worse than none.  Please learn all you can.  From
_both sides_.  Our groups would be happy to meet with you to discuss
any of the aforementioned in greater detail.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely
Sue Grimshaw
C/O P.O. Box 9029
Waukegan, ILL  60087

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Domino Effect

If you eliminate the Responsible breeder, 
with a Ban Breeding Ordinance Proposal:

There will be not pet publications.  Most of their income is from breeder ads.

There will be no dog or cat shows.  Only alters and HHP will now
make a cat chow, dog shows are only for whole animals.

Pedigree cats and dogs will become extinct, thus less sales of pet foods,
and loss of jobs.

Reduction of sales for cat and dog beds, vaccines, toys etc. means
more loss of jobs.

Cat tree companies go out of business.

Reduction of patients for veterinians, less need for vets, loss
of jobs for vet technicians and office staff.

Consumers will not be able to purchase the pedigree animal of their
choice.  They will be forced to deal with pet shops that import 
puppies and kitten from the mid-west and western
puppy and kitten mills.  These inferior, often sick animals --
will be the only available pets.  Sold with papers, without the
neutering contract enforced by breeders, the problems will NOT be
solved.

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From PETA

Peta's postion on Breed-Specific Legislation and the Purebred Industry

Q:  What is a purebred dog?
A:  Today's breeds of dog are human concoctions from natural dog tribes who
  once lived free.  Once "domesticated," they were selectively bred for
  traits and body styles that amused people or assisted in hunting and
  other exploitive activities.  Appearance is now the main reason for
  perpetuating most breeds.  Though many still bred to fight, attack, guard, 
  hunt, retrieve, and so on, dogs are not needed to serve these purposes:
  dog fights are illegal; more sophisticated means of self-protecton are
  available; and hunting is not only miserably cruel to other animals,
  but unnecessary.

Q:  Is PETA against purebred dog breeding?
A:  Yes.  Breeding ANY dog (no matter how attractive to a particular breed
   you may be) aggravates an already severe overpopulation problem that is
   hurting and killing the very species breeders profess to care about.
   WHile breeders custom-design more that one million dogs a year, shelters
   euthanize more than seven million, and many more live and die miserably
   as "strays".  Allowing dogs to become pregnant or breeding them
   for profit or show or to give children a "learning experience" con-
   tributes to overpopulation;  every newborn puppy placed or sold means
   one less home for a dog desperately waiting in a shelter.
     Breeding for apperance has also caused a wide range of health defects
   in dogs.  For example, bulldogs and Boston terriers experience     
   respiratory difficulties due to constricted breathing passages;
   bloodhounds and Shar Peis are prone to skin infections from 
   excessively wrinkled skin; many other dogs endure epileptic sezures,
   hip dysplasia, painful back problems -- the list goes on -- as a
   result of human manipulation.
     People who desire the companionship of dogs and wish to do what is best
   for dogs do not breed them; they adopt from animal shelters.  A particular
   LOOK is not as important as a LIFE.

Q:  Doesn't breed-specific legislation discriminate unfairly against some
    dogs?
A:  PETA only supports breed-specific legislation with a "grandfather
    clause" permitting well-cared-for dogs who pose no realistic danger
    to remain in good homes.

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SAN MATEO COUNTY MANDITORY SPAY AND NEUTER ORDANANCE

Section 1.  Part two of Division III of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code
is amended to add a new Chapter 6.2 to be numbered and entitled and to read as
follows:

		         CHAPTER 6.2
Section 3332.    Findings

The Board of Supervisors finds and determines that:

(a)  Approximately 10,000 heathy but abandoned cats and dogs are euthanized
annually in San Mateo County by the Peninsula Humane Society.

(b)  Due to the large number of starys and abondoned cats and dogs, euthanasia
is not a cost effective, acceptable or ethical solution to the threats to
public health and safety posed by large populations of stray domestic
animals.

(c)  Stray and abandoned pets, seciffically cats and dogs, create numerous
public health and saftey problems including transmission of diseasem, attacks 
by stray dogs on people, livestock and pets, and traffic hazards created
by stray dogs and cats running loose on public streets.

(d)  A moratorium on breeding of cats and dogs owned or harbored in
San Mateo County, combined with a contingent program for mandatory
spaying/neutering, is a reasonable and effective means of reducing the
population of abandoned or stray cats and dogs.

Section 3332.1     DECLARATION OF INTENT

The Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County hereby finds and declares that
it intends to provide for the public health, saftey and welfare through a   
moratorium on breeding of cats and dogs owned,
harbored or kept in the unicorporated areas of San Mateo County in order to
bring the population of abandoned and stray animals to an acceptaple level
for protection of the public health, saftey and welfare.  Further, if
the moratorium does not achieve this goal, a probram for mandatory
spay/neutering will be instituted in order to attain an acceoptable population
level.

Section 3332.2     DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms are defined as follows:

(a)  "Animal Control Program"  Means the program defined by Section 3330.0
     (a) of this Code.

(b)  "Person" shall mean any individual person, partnership, corporation,
      trust, or association of persons.

(c)  "Zero growth"  Shall mean that level of Population growth of cats and
      dogs at which control of the population of starys or abandoned cats
      and dogs can be accomplished without the necessity for euthanasia of
      any healthy dog or cat in San Mateo County.

Section 3332.3   MORATORIUM ON BREEDING OF CATS AND DOGS

(a)  There is hereby established a moratorium on breeding of all cats and
     dogs owned or ekpt within the unicorporated areas of San Mateo County.
     This moratorium shall become effective six (6) months from the effective
     date of this ordinance, and shall remain in effect for six (6) months
     thereafter.  However, the Board of Supervisiors will review the process
     of the Community Animal Control Task Force, established hereunder,
     within five (5) months of adoption of this ordinance and determine if
     substantial progress has been made towards achieving the goals of
     this ordinance.  If the Board finds that substantial progress has been
     made, it may, by resolution, postpone and/or eliminate the moratorium 
     provided herein.

(b)  No person shall cause or allow any cat or dog owned, harbored or kept
     by that person within the unicorporated areas of San Mateo County to breed
     or reproduce during the moratorium established under Subsection (a) of 
     this Section.

(c)  No person shall transport any dog or cat to, from or within the
     the unicorporated area of San Mateo County for the purposes of breeding 
     such dog or cat, during the moratorium period specified by Subsection
     (a) of this Section.

Section 3332.4   MANDATORY SPAYING/NEUTERING

(a)  This Section shall become effective after expiration of the moratorium    
     established by Section 3332.3 of this Chapter, unless the Board of   
     Supervisors determines that the population of dogs and cats owned
     or kept in San Mateo County has reached zero growth.

(b)  No person shall own, harbor, or keep within the unicorporated areas
     of San Mateo County any cat or dog over the age of nine months which has 
     not been soayed or neutered, unless such person holds either a license 
     for breeding cats or dogs issued by the Animal Control Program under
     Section 3332.5 of this Chapter or a written certification from a licensed 
     veterinarian that, due to health considerations, the animals should not be
     spayed or neutered.

Section 3332.5   LICENSES; ADMINISTATION

(a)  The Animal Control Program shall administer a license program to allow 
     breeding of cats and dogs consistent with criteria and according to 
     procedures adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

(b)  Each appliant who is issued a license to breed cats or dogs under this 
     Section shall pay a license fee according to the fee schedula adopted 
     by the Board of Supervisors.

(c)  The Board of Supervisors shall appoint a Community Animal Contro;
     Task Force to recommend criteria, procedures and fees for the issuance
     and revocation of the licenses provided for by this Section.  Such
     Task Force shall include representatives of the Peninsula Humane
     Society, Pets in Need, the Animal Control Program, local animal
     breeding organizations and local veterinarians.  Additionally, the
     Task Force shall develop a program of community education.

The Task Force shall also recommend solutions to the problem of "puppy mills"
mass breeding facilities which transport young puppies to pet dealers over a 
long distances, resulting in a substantial increase in the population of
unhealty dogs offered foir sale to consumers.  The Task Force shall also
review all policies and procedures of the Country Animal Control Program, 
the Peninsula Humane Society, and local leash laws and their enforcement.

Section 3332.6   PENALTY FOR VIOLATION

Except otherwise provided by this Chapter, any violation of the
provisions of this Chapter shall be punishable as an infraction, the
penalty of which shall be as follows:

(a)   A fine not to exceed one hundred ($100.00) dollars for a first violation.

(b)   A fine not exceeding two hundred ($200.00) dollars for a second voilation
      within one year.

(c)   A fine not to exceed five hundred ($500.00) dolars for each additional
      violation within the same year.

Section 3332.7     WAIVER OF PENALTY

(a)  The Animal Control Program may dismiss any citation for a violation of
     this Chapter if the person cited demonstrates to the satisfation of
     an Animal Control Program Officer that the subject cat or dog has been
     spayed or neutered within thirty(30) days of the citation, or within
     ninety(90) days after giving birth for female animals who have given
     birth within ninety days prior to the citation.

(b)  During the 1991 calendar year, Peninsula Humane Society will undertake an
     informational campaign in order to promote voluntary compliance with this
     Chapter.

Section 3332.8      RESPONSIBLITY FOR ENFORCEMENT

The Animal Control Program shall be responsible for the enforcement and
administration of this Chapter.

Section 3332.9   USE OF REVENUE

All revenue derived from the fines, penalties and license fees collected under
this Chapter shall be used to recover of offset the costs or enforcement
and administration of this Chapter.

Section 2:  This Ordinance shall remain in effect until February 1, 1994, and
shall become inoperative thereafter unless prior said date the Board of
Supervisors shall take appropriate action to extend the duration of this
Ordinance.

Section 3:  This ordinance shall become effective thirty days after adoption.

[ordanance adopted 12/18/90]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Animal Charity:

We are not making our normal donations to your organization 
while the Humane Society of San Mateo County, as well as
other states, are attacking our rights to have purebred dogs and cats.
The Humane Society has instituted laws forcing the sterilization
of all pets and making essentially impossible all purebred breedings.  
No one has shown any casual connection between the problem and their solution.
And since "Zero" population will never occur, that law will remain in effect,
effectively killing off our purebred dogs and cats, or allowing only
pet stores to sell them.

Thus, all our money that we would normally give to animal 
charities is going to counter this extremist law.  If you
publically oppose this law, then I will continue to 
contribute, but I will no donate money to groups that are
against people having a choice on their dog or cat companions.
As soon as I recieve a letter from you indicating your views,
I will then continue my support.

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*****phew was that long.   

(sorry about all the typos)

I though you'd  all like to look at some of this.
That last section to animal charities I am going to send to
the groups that I contribute to instead of the usual donation
I give, just so I know I'm not cutting my own throat here.

I hope all of this was worth something to you.

-----------------------------------------------------
Marla Belzowski   saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Mauii Nikki Belzowski CD CGC TDI CERF
Brittish Legend of Beowulf (1leg CD) CGC TDI CERF   tri-color collies