I am for animal welfare and welfare only. Ten years ago, the line between rescues and breeders was very clear. That line has since been blurred creating “black-market and retail rescues”. The year of 2016 has had as many, if not more, animal cruelty seizures from “black-market rescues” verses breeder “puppy mills”. I personally have witnessed so much unnecessary animal neglect and abuse due to the lack of any proper care guidelines in a state and have decided to present “The Companion Animal Minimal Care Act” and Rules in which I had to change to Companion Animal Minimal Care Act and rules. CLICK PICTURE TO READ MORE
Date(s): June 19, 2017. Album by CONCERNED CITIZEN. 1 - 9 of 9 Total. 1255 Visits.
1 This is America, and we have the right to choose a healthy pet, from either a Reputable rescue or a Professional breeder without the fear of unknowingly funding animal abuse or neglect and/or that one or the other is falsely representing itself or others. Both Professional breeders and Reputable rescues are in the legal business of placing companion animals with individuals requiring some type of monetary compensation. Not every breed of animal is suitable for everybody, nor is everybody suitable to care for every “rescue” animal. Both are needed for their purpose, neither is better than the other and not all are “bad”. When animals are cared for properly with the adequate food, vet care and the housing they need, there is minimal profit from either a sale or adoption fee.
2 Currently, various states either do not have any regulations or have irrational one-sided regulations designed for the “breeders are the only bad guy” mindset. These types of regulations are uneducated, emotionally based and blindly allows the abuse and neglect of companion animals by permitting “black-market rescues” (legal puppy mill) and “retail rescues” (illegal broker) to prosper. Professional breeders are being publicly criminalized by the Humane Society of the United States media and other similar organizations; causing our society to be deceivingly convinced that only the care of an animal from anyone called a rescue is “right” and any care from someone called a breeder is “wrong”. This ideology has many people claiming to be the only savior of a companion animal; by calling themselves a “rescue” and nobody questions their legitimacy.
3 While cruelly praying on society’s emotions and tainting the true Reputable rescues image: The “black-market rescues” misrepresent the possession and/or condition of an animal to acquire “donations” via Go Fund Me sites; are providing extremely substandard living conditions while denying the gained “donations” for adequate food or any medical attention to the animals they are exploiting; and are breeding animals for the higher “adoption fee” valued offspring. The “retail rescues” are obtaining a “re-homing fee” for the animals they purchase with “fund raising” money; are transporting dogs/cats (even at 5wks old) in horrific conditions without food, water or cleanup for hours/days in non-air conditioned vehicles; and are illegally transporting across State lines (including Mexico) without valid health certificates, proof of rabies, proper vaccinations or quarantine procedures; causing the rampant spread of parvo, distemper and other diseases.
4 Without any inspections, guidelines or requirements regarding adequate care, anyone, may become an idolized “rescue” by meeting the following requirements: (Google It.)
•Pick a name (something cute). •Take minutes (3 friends out to dinner). •Do not promote breeding (doesn't say you can't, just tell others not to). •Find animals a new home (when you sell/"adopt" an animal, it has a new home). •Obtain volunteers (free help). •Do fundraising (free money). •Find fosters (free care from others). •Request discounted or free services and goods (vets, groomers, donations, food). •File for tax exempt or 501 (c) 3 status (tax free money) (have you ever asked for proof of obtaining?). •Obtain grants to start your "rescue" (more free money).
5 Both Black-market and Retail rescues are currently being permitted by your state without any consequences or accountability.
Without question you will receive society’s halo for claiming to “save” animals, collect tax free money from “adoption fees” and “donations” and any neglectful care you provide is praised for “being the best you can afford to do”. Can you see the appeal to unscrupulous people? Monetary gain is monetary gain, just as, neglect and abuse is neglect and abuse. Think about it.
6 My agenda is not to hinder or criminalize neither the Professional breeder nor the true Reputable rescue; but for society to realize that by embracing the current mindset of only the animals of a Professional cat/dog breeder are entitled to proper care, you are failing to protect the companion animals within a “rescue”. As a society, we are supporting animal abuse when we refuse to educate ourselves about their basic needs; fail to accept the fact that they are animals; and impose our own personal “warm and fuzzy” ideals upon them. Sadly, the animals are the ones that suffer needlessly; as most improper care is a direct result of ignorance and not malicious intent. Many of us have only seen the misguided visuals of “wrong” animal housing and care that is promoted by the HSUS, without personally viewing (in use) or experiencing the “right” way. As a result, we have an idea about what type of care and housing we do not want, but not what the animals really need.
7 The sole purpose of this proposed legislation is to offer all states a set of prewritten, in detail, affordable and fair guidelines for proper animal care for both breeders and rescues. “The Companion Animal Minimal Care Act” and Rules describes what is and what is not acceptable housing, exercise and proper care; is based on USDA regulations and factual animal behavior; is void of human emotions or personal opinions; has reasonable exemptions for the small breeders, Reputable rescues and working/sporting animals; gives everyone (including authorities) the ability to prove or disprove a complaint of abuse and/or neglect; and protects the public with a “lemon” law while holding all Professional and Hobby breeders, Pet stores and Reputable rescues with accountability.
8 “The Companion Animal Minimal Care Act” and Rules explicitly addresses the following common problems with comprehensive solutions and consequences: complaints from consumers from receiving misrepresented or ill animals; complaints of abuse and/or neglect without a true definition and relying on someone’s opinion; illegal importation; improper transportation; improper care; improper housing; improper public display; slander and libel towards both enterprises; chronic false reporting; lack of validated revenue to the states obtained from the companion animal industry; and others with a black and white course of action should ill doing arise.
9 All companion animals deserve to be treated humanely. Therefore, anyone who receives any type of compensation (adoption fee, sale) from more than 20 companion animals in a year, should be held to a higher standard, and be mandated to follow all The Companion Animal Minimal Care Rules. Regardless of the number or location, all companion animals deserve at least the defined basics of proper care. After all, a dog is a dog and a cat is a cat. Anyone who is unable or refuses to provide the basics correctly should not be allowed to continue participating in the companion animal industry, period. Those who would yell the loudest has the most to hide.
