New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-26
TO IMPROVE PET STOCK.
american Far Fanciers' Association
Successfully Launched.

There has started in this country a movement
that bids fair TO rival the famous pet stock organi-
cations OF England and Germany. Several fanciers
last fall combined and organized the American Fur
Fanciers' Association TO better the conditions IN
der which pet stock is shown, and to arouse the
latent public interest therein The Improvement
and scientific development OF the several varieties
Of rabbits. CAVES and mice. and the securing Of
better facilities in the showroom are the first con-
Germ of the association.
The eXecrable conditions which led TO this move
ment are illustrated by the treatment accorded a
fancier who sent sixty exhibits Of fancy rab-
DTS and CAVES TO one Of the large Maryland poul-
try shows They were not fed during the entire
week Several died on the return Journey or on
arrival and the CAVES of the long haired varieties
had eaten each others hair down 70 their skins.
The exhibitors paid the usual fees but seem to
have no redress Similar things not quite so severe,
and the tendency to make pet stock an attraction
with no privilege and poor judging, led 10 what
promises to be national movement Of some conse-
quence.
The American Fur Fanciers' Association has been
organized on a national basis. and with constitu-
ton and bylaws arranged to enable it TO be to
the rabbit. cavy, etc, world what the American
Kernel Club has been to the dog The idea orig
mated with Dr.. II. L. Wood and c. II EIard who
completed the organization and put the idea in sue
cessful execution The first meeting was held at
the Madison Square Garden show last January and
since then the membership has Increased nearly
so arranged that the applicant for MEMBERSHIPS has
to pass the governing board and qualify as fan
cier.
The organization, too. has profted by the mis-
take Of the English associations They are organ
lzed INTO specialist fanCier clubs. without fedora
uon' while the American association starts with A
n;aIonaI federation and leaves for each spe-
ylalsL, clQo 10 grow and establish state chapters
oLI ali the time retaining its affiliation with the
others through the national association The Eng
Hsh tancleTs are each year making more and more
vigorous eHQrts for similar federation of clubs
ne American association purposes to devote half
or its income for special prizes and has fixed the
cues az only 90 cents for the first year. that all
membership is located I'm the New England States
New YORK. Pennsylvania and New Jersey and il
ark. anu Wv
Inasmuch as only few of the varieties of these
raoolts, CAVES, etc, arc known I'm this country,
several members Of the association have decided
TO order from the English fanciers specimens Of
those not bred here not of standard quality If
bred. The association is setting az, a set of stand
ards based upon those prevalent abroad and pur-
poses TO breed stock to meet those ideals nearly
as possible Quotations transportation and stock
are now being secured, and next fall and winter a
campaign Of education Will be started at the shows
fancy; and If the success already met continues the
probable popularity of pet stock here Will rival that
in England and Germany.
The members of the association include many
prominent local men: Among them are Or. T. F
Bigelow, Of Stanford, DR.. Z. B. Southwick, of the
City Park Department and Or. jerks Of Yonkers
The officers Of the association and governing board
President G. l. Rehe, Of Chicago: first vice
president. E. B. Southwick New York City: sec
rotary and treasurer. c. H. EIlard. Great Neck,
X White, Honeoye Falls. n y; Fancy Rabbit
Club delegate Robert Whitaker, Dalton. Mass:
Peruvian Club delegate, Mrs. p B. jerks; Yonkers,
\. Y, and Dr. H L. Wood, Of Groton, Conn, rep
resenting other Cavv and mouse clubs.