Are You Supporting Puppy Mills?

[Rebecca, Irena Farm]

I am no longer ambivilent on the question of supporting the AKC with entry fees in performance events or ILPs.

 

This weekend I walked into a pet suppies store just twenty minutes from my very rural home, and realized with excitement that they sold all the premium foods my dogs eat! Then I realized they sold puppies and kittens. I looked for a while at customers looking at the animals, hoping that it would turn out to be one of those rescue outlets, but murmurs of "registration" and "30 day guarantees" put that hope to rest. I left. I'll still go to the stores one hour and two hours away from me.

 

The AKC is now actively suporting the commercial pet industry. A fee to the AKC goes to that purpose, even if the money doesn't directly go there. Here's the latest:

 

> The AKC is a Platinum Sponsor of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association one of the largest associations of commercial breeders in the country.

 

> Here is url : http://www.mpbaonline.org/sponsor.php

> Here is the url for their membership application. It asks for your USDA# =and requires that you have a state license

> http://www.mpbaonline.org/onlineForm.php?appTyp=3Dnew

> The next two urls are classified ads from members.[snip]

>

> The following is listed under NEWS on the site

> AKC Outreach Program Ending SOON!!!! Written: June 20, 2006 02:19:44 PM =

>Attention all Pet Breeders: I just found out the AKC Outreach program is ending at the end of August 2006!!!! If you know of anyone who wants to get late fees or penalties waived they need to contact David Roberts office now!!!! David's number is (919)816-3672. This also means IF your kennel was once upon a time all AKC and you started keeping puppies back as breeders and using xyz registry. Now your kennel is no longer AKC registered. IF you want to go back and get your kennel AKC registered again NOW is the time to do it. You can call David and get all of your =

> dogs that have AKC parents back into AKC. I have seen MANY kennels update several generations. Now these kennels are all AKC again. You can also use the litter coupons to help with the cost.

Here's the AKC's description of the above described "Outreach" program to puppymillers:

 

We are less than a year into a five year strategic plan that has already introduced a suite of benefits and resources for the fancy including a breeder newsletter, full litter registration option, litter coupons, online accounts and enhancements to online dog registration. In addition, AKC has introduced new registration benefits like dog.com e-certificates for both

breeders and individual registrants and complimentary first office visits at participating veterinarians. As we continue implementing the plan, additional programs for breeders and new dog owners will be introduced. We have made a significant investment in a diversified advertising campaign that communicates our mission and promotes the value of AKC registration and the integrity of our Registry.[They're kidding, right? By becoming the registry of choice for puppymillers?] Our message embodied in our advertising

tagline "We're more than champion dogs. We're the dog's champion"[Again, the irony!] has reached almost 200 million people in print and broadcast media during the past year.

I wouldn't buy food from a store that profits from the sale of volume produced puppies. And I wouldn't support a registry, no matter what else they did, that supports the evil of puppymills.

 

Just by contrast, here's the view of the UKC on mills: http://mail.ukcdogs.com/ukcweb.nsf/WEBPAGE...ndocument#mills They have everything the AKC does - obedience, agility, you name it. If you absolutely must, they even have conformation. If more people demanded events, there would be more events. Please, no more excuses - don't support puppy mills!

[Liz P]

The UKC is also much more responsive to individual members. They actually listen to what people want and make changes. I have friends who compete in UKC events and I am very impressed by them.

 

The AKC has always frustrated me. I even decided against getting ILPs on my dogs when I was into agility. Now it's clear to everyone why I dislike them so much!

[borderlicious]

I am disgusted with the AKC. It was always "just a registry" to me but now, with it offering such support to puppy mills, I'm considering a complete boycott. Not just with my BCs but with future breeds as well. I can't offer any support or even acknowledgement of a registry that supports puppymills, no matter what good they may do elsewhere.

 

I am apalled at AKC's greed. I understand that it is, by nature, a greedy organization . . . I just wasn't expecting this.

[laurie etc]

I've been following this because I teach all breeds of dogs - and have been involved in rescue for years. Just as "background" here's some of AKC's spin from their website...

 

"Buy your puppy from a responsible and well-respected breeder. This cannot be stressed enough. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed. For example, they work on breeding healthier dogs with the appropriate temperament for their breed. Your AKC breeder referral contact will direct you to a breeder who is concerned with the future of the puppy. Once you select a breeder, screen the breeder. Ask to see at least one of the parents (the dam or the sire) of your puppy. See how the dogs in your breeder's home interact with your breeder. Are they friendly and outgoing or do they shy away? The responsible breeder will be screening you, too, looking for the best home for each puppy."

 

"Responsible Breeders

 

The American Kennel Club believes that breeding programs should be undertaken responsibly for the purpose of preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. Responsible breeders are expected to give careful consideration to health issues, temperament, and genetic screening, as well as to the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. AKC supports and promotes these and other responsible breeding practices through breeders' education programs, and commends those who offer similar guidance.

 

The AKC strongly opposes the breeding of dogs by those who do so without regard for the dogs' welfare?"

 

Now - here's a letter (email) I sent them and below that is their prepackaged spin response to my email...

 

To the Board of Directors,

I've been involved in the sport of purebred dogs; registering dogs with AKC, breeding responsibly on a limited basis, and rescuing unwanted dogs for over 20 years. I have instructed people to train their dogs for over 20 years, both on a volunteer basis and as a professional. I have exhibited and titled dogs in numerous events and venues; and I'm a current CGC evaluator, promoting educated dog acquisition and ownership.

Recently, I've become seriously concerned about the ethics of the current AKC Board and its Officers with regard to the acceptance and promotion of puppy mill (high volume) breeders and pet shop puppies. On one hand, AKC advises prospective pet buyers to research breeds and choose breeders carefully. I applaud this, as well as the AKC message about responsible dog ownership. On the other hand, AKC's recent "outreach efforts" to enable puppy millers to easily register breeding dogs; and AKC's latest initiative to streamline pet shop puppy registration is appalling. To my mind, AKC is sleeping with the devil in order to make money; and many of my friends feel the same way. I am seriously considering terminating all affiliation with your organization and all promotion of AKC venues if AKC continues down this path of puppy mill affiliation and sponsorship. I, and many others, take your recent actions as a direct assault toward all we do to promote educated dog acquisitions, worthy breeders, and responsible dog ownership. Whoever decided that "enabling" puppy millers and large corporate breeders was the right thing to do should tuck his or her tail in shame!

Sincerely,

Laura W. Anderson

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

and AKC's email response...

 

Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate and understand the concerns of our breeders and dog owners. We hope the information provided below is helpful.

 

 

 

At the September meeting of the AKC Delegates, the AKC announced a program in which Petland may facilitate the individual AKC registration process for eligible dogs sold in their stores. Today, many of these AKC-registrable dogs are registered with other registries or not at all. Several questions emerged following that announcement. We provide the following details to reduce misunderstandings about the program.

 

 

 

What kind of agreement does the AKC have with Petland?

 

Following are some of the basic facts about this plan:

 

 

 

Only AKC-registrable dogs are eligible for this program. The program does not provide registration to dogs not otherwise eligible for registration. We are doing this in large part to assure that AKC-registrable puppies already in these stores are registered with AKC.

 

 

AKC will educate Petland staff about the value and importance of AKC registration. AKC will highlight the opportunity for participation in appropriate AKC events and the importance of programs like AKC Canine Good Citizen to promote responsible dog ownership.

 

 

Petland will encourage new puppy owners to register with the AKC. Petland will help the customer complete the AKC registration form online, similar to the current online registration process. The customer will pay the entire AKC registration fee in the store. Petland may charge the customer a small processing fee to cover their cost. Registering in the store increases the likelihood that the puppy owner will register their new puppy with the AKC. Research has shown that if dog owners don?t register their dog soon after acquiring it, they are less likely to do so in the future.

 

 

This program allows the AKC inspections team to continue its active presence in the commercial sector. If puppies sold in retail pet stores are not AKC registrable, AKC loses the ability to inspect and influence the care and conditions in pet stores and the breeding kennels that supply the pet stores.

 

 

AKC and Petland are not engaged in an endorsement, partnership, affiliation or joint venture. A written agreement between AKC and Petland exists, in large part, to protect the AKC and ensure that all applicable AKC Registration Rules and Procedures are followed.

 

 

AKC does not endorse any breeder or seller of dogs. Our central message about how to buy a puppy -- to thoroughly research the breed and the breeder and to consult AKC resources, starting with the parent club -- has not and will not change.

 

 

This program has not changed AKC?s registration policies. The AKC has always registered dogs sold through pet retailers as long as the pet store and breeder are in compliance with our standards for accurate record keeping and meet the AKC?s care and conditions requirements. Read our Compliance fact sheet at: http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=6. The program with Petland offers AKC an opportunity to communicate the benefits of registration and involve new puppy owners in the world of AKC but does not imply an endorsement any more than AKC papers have in the past. It will ensure that AKC inspectors and investigators continue to have access to all kennels breeding AKC puppies. This will continue enforcement of our care and conditions policies and compliance with record-keeping.

 

 

Why is AKC encouraging the registration of all registrable dogs?

 

Today, many AKC-registrable dogs sold by pet retailers are not registered with the AKC by their owner. Less than 50 percent of AKC-registrable dogs are registered with the AKC. The AKC strategic plan targets this problem in all customer groups, including pet stores. When these new owners do not register, AKC and our clubs lose the ability to encourage them to become part of the fancy or to educate them about responsible dog ownership. We feel we can best promote our values and bring people into the world of AKC events by reaching out to new dog owners no matter where they choose to purchase their dog.

 

 

AKC?s ability to influence legislation and public opinion is directly linked to the number of dog owners we represent. Ultimately, AKC?s ability to take a leadership stand on any issue is closely tied to the size of our constituency (the number of people with AKC registered dogs).

 

 

AKC can best serve the interests of dogs and their owners by maintaining stringent standards and promoting the benefits of AKC registration. With more than 20 different for-profit businesses acting as canine ?registries? in the U.S., it is important that the AKC distinguish itself as the genuine purebred registry. Many of these for-profit businesses will "register" dogs with little or no proof of lineage and none have any inspections or compliance standards. These businesses actively and aggressively work to convert AKC registrations into applications for their listing services. The fact that AKC can inspect kennels and pet shops and take action against them whenever necessary protects the welfare of all AKC puppies.

 

 

AKC?s ability to offer important programs is directly linked to our annual registrations. In addition to subsidizing AKC events, registration fees provide support for a range of programs and services including the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the AKC Museum of the Dog. Registration income also provides an important source of funding for our scholarship programs, veterinary outreach, our compliance department, combating unfair canine legislation, providing disaster relief and much more.

 

 

What else is being done to promote AKC Registration?

 

We are less than a year into a five year strategic plan that has already introduced a suite of benefits and resources for the fancy including a breeder newsletter, full litter registration option, litter coupons, online accounts and enhancements to online dog registration. In addition, AKC has introduced new registration benefits like dog.com e-certificates for both breeders and individual registrants and complimentary first office visits at participating veterinarians. As we continue implementing the plan, additional programs for breeders and new dog owners will be introduced. We have made a significant investment in a diversified advertising campaign that communicates our mission and promotes the value of AKC registration and the integrity of our Registry. Our message embodied in our advertising tagline ?We?re more than champion dogs. We?re the dog?s champion? has reached almost 200 million people in print and broadcast media during the past year.

 

 

 

How will this impact rescue?

 

Dogs will be sold in pet stores whether or not AKC registers them. However the AKC feels that by bringing more registrants into the AKC fold we have the opportunity to educate them and involve them in programs that promote responsible dog ownership.

 

 

 

What prompted this agreement?

 

The AKC has undertaken a strategic plan to reverse the significant decline in registrations that has occurred during the last decade. The plan includes a number of separate initiatives. Together these initiatives are designed to regain market share, while maintaining a registry of unequaled integrity and size. The approach outlined in the plan is to increase registrations by addressing the needs of all customer groups ? fanciers, breeders, pet owners and the commercial channel. This focus stems from a belief that purebred dogs are best served by the AKC, and that breeding programs are improved with our involvement. This inclusive approach helps position AKC as the voice for all dogs and all dog owners.

 

 

 

What are the next steps?

 

As a result of the questions raised both during and after the September Delegates Meeting the Staff will continue reviewing and communicating with our core constituency. A meeting will be held prior to the October Board Meeting which will include a number of Delegates and fanciers to discuss this initiative. The AKC Board of Directors will discuss this topic during the October Board Meeting. The program is under review by staff and management. Further details will be provided when they are available.

 

 

 

You may direct comments to:

 

? Email: puppyreg@akc.org

 

? Mail: AKC Operations, 5580 Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606-3390

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

David Roberts

 

Assistant Vice President

 

Registration and Customer Service