ATTENTION: OFODC QUARTERLY MEETING JAN.18,2009

The OFODC Quarterly Mtg. will take place on Sunday, January 18th at 1:00 p.m. for Board Members and 1:30 p.m. for the General Membership in Columbus OH at the Ramada Conference Center off of Sinclair Rd/I-71.

Please RSVP to Sharon as soon as possible. Thank You.

More specific details to follow as we approach the meeting date.

Sharon Unrau
OFODC Recording Secretary

UPDATE ON HB 446!!!!!!!!

HB446 died a "death of natural causes" in its Senate committe last evening.

At the eleventh hour, the National Rifle Association made calls and their presence known causing the senators on the committee to back away from support.

As mentioned earlier, Meredith Johnson Snyder and myself went to the hearings on Tuesday. Meredith gave testimony.

In all the opposition prevailed!

Bobbi Brady

Urgent Update From Bobbi Brady!!!

Meredith Johnson-Snyder and I attended the hearing. Please send the attachment of Meredith's opponent testimony.

1. There was no change in the proponent testimony.

2. The animal warden representative stated some issues were resolved in the amendments but they still oppose micro-chipping and believe tags are the best means of ID.

3. A breeder and former pet store manager (Amy Rausch) was against vets only giving rabies shots and against the increase in kennel and individual licenses.

4. Meredith Johnson-Snyder gave testimony representing OFODC. PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED FILE.

5. Veterinarian from OSU supported micro-chipping but that it shouldn't replace tags as a means of identification.

A possible vote could have taken place at 4PM but the hearing was cancelled.

The hearing resumes at 9:30AM tomorrow in the Grant Hearing Room 110. There could be a vote.

You are encouraged to attend! Bobbi Brady

TESTIMONY REPRESENTING OFODC REGARDING BILL 446

From: Meredith Johnson-Snyder and Roberta Brady 12/16/08

The Ohio Federation of Dog Clubs

Re: Bill 446

To: Committee Members

Dear Senators:

We appreciate several of the amendments introduced, but we still have a couple of concerns not addressed in the amendments to the bill which we hope will be considered.

First: Raising the kennel fee and the fee for individual dogs is rather double dipping. Please consider reducing the kennel licensing fee and requiring only nominal fee per individual dog than is called for in this bill. The media has claimed that Ohio has 11,000 kennels; this is not true. The truth is that Ohio sells 11,000 kennel licenses purchased by owners of multiple dogs; owners who are not breeders and who do not have kennels.

For breeders to pay for a higher priced dog kennel license and then pay the regular individual license fee is punitive to dog breeders. As the Ohio Revised Code reads now, the purchaser of a kennel license only has to pay one or two dollars for individual licenses over the five dogs the kennel license presently includes. Since show and hobby breeders often keep puppies past the three month licensing grace period, the higher individual licensing fees will be a real burden. Also, unlike the big volume substandard breeders, show and hobby breeders usually keep retired dogs until they die of old age adding to the numbers to be licensed with the higher individual fee schedule. Substandard kennels simply destroy dogs that are no longer useful, while we either find wonderful homes for them or keep them ourselves driving our numbers up. Should we be penalized with higher for caring for our elderly dogs instead of crassly destroying them when no longer useful?

With the present anti breeding atmosphere in this country created and pushed by PETA, HSUS, and other animal rights groups, reputable purebred dog breeders are finding that they are considered “bad guys” for breeding at all. With all the legislation being proposed, initiated or at least backed by animal rights groups in our country, the small show or hobby breeder does not have the resources or the organization to fight back. PETA’s bottom line is the elimination of animal ownership. The raising of kennel fees and individual licensing fees places an additional burden on breeders trying to breed fine representatives of their breeds. If show and hobby breeders give up, all that will be left are the substandard breeders who raise dogs only for a profit.

Second: Please create a sliding scale for fees for licensing for dogs owned by those on social security, disability, or welfare. Often those in poverty or borderline poverty, especially the elderly already make trade offs when deciding whether to spend their meager funds on heat, food, or medicine. Often a dog is the only companion and comfort for those in need, especially the elderly. For families with children who are barely making it in this economy, giving up the family dog/dogs because of higher licenses seems cruel. To ask those in financial distress to pay licenses that are more than they can afford for the one or two pets that give them comfort and companionship making a big difference in their lives, is creating a hardship. Please consider a sliding scale for licensing fees for those in financial need.

TUESDAY!! Senate State and Local Government and Veterans' Affairs Committee notice 12/16/08

State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee

Notice of Meeting

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

10:00 a.m.

South Hearing Room

AGENDA

H.B. 446(***)** Animal control-revise statutes 6^th Hearing

(Webster) Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

Possible Amendments

Possible Vote

*pending introduction and referral

**possible vote

***amendments or possible sub bill

Note: Written testimony (30 copies) for the committee members is requested. Please provide the chairman’s office with copies (30) of any amendments by Monday, December 15 at 9:30 a.m.

TODAY'S SENATE HEARING!!!

Looks like the agenda for todays Senate hearing on HB446 has been revised. The bill is 10th on the agenda which begins at 2:30PM. No vote is scheduled but there may be possible amendments.

We would like to urge everyone to write to their legislator to oppose the passage of this bill. It does not benefit the welfare of dogs.

Thanks
Bobbi

NOTICE OF MEETING_TUESDAY DEC 9,2008

State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee

Notice of Meeting

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

2:30 p.m. or after Session

Senate Finance Hearing Room

AGENDA

S.B. 353**(***) Land reutilization corporations-create/abandoned 5^th Hearing (if needed)

(Spada/Harris) land foreclosure-revise Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

Possible Amendments

Possible Vote

S.B. 387 Veterans relocating to Ohio-in-state tuition- 1^st Hearing

(Grendell) immediately eligible for Sponsor Testimony

S.C.R. 22 Kenya-urge U.S. diplomacy to bring peace there 1^st Hearing

(Mason/Turner) Sponsor Testimony

S.B. 375**(***) Fraud reporting system-complaints of fraud & 3^rd Hearing

(Wagoner) misuse of public funds by public offices Proponent/Opponent

Interested Party Testimony

PA/PV

H.B. 525**(***) Recordable documents-be in standard format 3^rd Hearing

(Combs) Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

PA/PV

S.B. 362**(***) Witness mileage fees-court and state 3^rd Hearing

(Cates) administrative adjudications-adjust Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

PA/PV

H.B. 446*** Animal control-revise statutes 5^th Hearing

(Webster) Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

Possible Amendments

H.B. 327*** Boards of health-city and general health districts 4^th Hearing

(J. McGregor) Pro/Opp/IP Testimony

Possible Amendments

*pending introduction and referral

**possible vote

***amendments or possible sub bill

Note: Written testimony (30 copies) for the committee members is requested. Please provide the chairman’s office with copies (30) of any amendments by Friday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Short Synopsis of the Hearing By Bobbi

On Tuesday, December 2, Paula Everett, myself and Robert Ellis attended the first Senate hearing for HB446. Norma Woolf of OVDO was also there and gave opponent testimony.

Paula emphasized the financial hardship to owners and breeders by increases in licensing fees. It is not inconceivable that owners may turn their pets in to shelters for being too costly in these economic tough times. Paula also stated that breeders who have kennel licenses will suffer a higher cost plus the individual tags. Amongst other things, she suggested a graduated scale of fees. Also objected to was the administration of mandatory rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian or under their supervision. A costly endeavor.

Norma Woolf emphasized the potential for injury to dogs which must wear their tags while out side and reinforced comments made by Paula.

On Wednesday, Meredith Johnson-Snyder gave testimony and she emphasized the increased cost of licensing and rabies given or supervised by a vet may prove too costly for the elderly causing them to give up their dogs.

Thursday will conclude the hearings in the Senate. There may be amendments made at that time. Then it will come to a vote to get it out of committee.

Bobbi Brady

CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY CARD CHALLENGE

DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB OF AMERICA
AMERICAN ROTTWEILER CLUB
CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY CARD CHALLENGE
The point of this Challenge is personal contact between dog owners and legislators. Sure, they hear from us when we fax or email about a piece of legislation but we all know they rarely read those messages, they simply tally pros and cons. A card will be a personal, positive contact.
The aim here is to have each official receive a Christmas/Holiday/New Year's greeting from their dog (cat) owning constituents.

We ask that you send cards to your Governor, district officials as well as your city and county officials. At best this would only involve sending an extra dozen cards which will have you and your dog's (or cat's) photo and a comment such as those listed below. If these officials are people you voted for, state that you have supported them in the past and hope to continue your support.

If you did not vote for them let them know that depending on their position on dog related issues, you would certainly consider changing party affiliation to support the candidate most sensitive to the interests of their pet owning constituency. If you own Conformation dogs, include a win picture or photo of you, the dog and ribbons and trophies. Sign the card “Proud owner of an AKC Champion (breed)”.

If you own a dog with performance titles, include a photo of the dog out duck hunting, with the
sheep, whatever, and sign the card, “Proud working partner to a (title/event) dog. i.e. “Proud
working partner to a Field Trial Champion (breed)”.

If you own a dog with a CGC from AKC, include a photo of you, the dog, and the certificate. Sign
the card, “Proud owner of a Canine Good Citizen (breed)”.

If you own a Therapy Dog, include a photo with you, the dog, a Senior Citizen or hospitalized
child. Sign the card, “Active partners bringing joy to shut-ins, Mary and Fluffy”.

If you own a Tracking Dog, especially one certified for Search and Rescue, include a photo of
yourself and the dog - preferably working or “in uniform” and sign the card, “proudly serving the
community of (city/county) with Search and Rescue efforts, Mary and Sport”.

If you own a Service Dog, include a photo of the two of you, or of the dog and it's backpack or
performing a service like opening the door or retrieving something. Sign the card, “Blessed with
the service of “Fluffy” my service dog and constant companion, Mary Smith”.

If your dog assists with a reading program in the local school, include a picture of you, the dog
and some kids and sign the it, “Proudly helping children to read better, John and Rex”.
If you are a Judge, include a nice BIS win photo with everyone looking good, you, the handler, and the dog. Sign it, “Proud judge of AKC dog shows, Joe Judge, Lic. ####”.

If your dog does agility, include a really nice action shot of the dog and sign the card,
“Enthusiastic participants in the sport of Agility, Speedy and Mary Smith”.

For friends/family who own dogs obtained from a shelter or rescue, include a photo and sign the
card, “Proud Adopter of Charlie, rescue dog from (shelter/rescue group), The Jones Family”.
Puppy buyers should send cards stating “sharing our lives with a (breed) purchased from a
responsible hobby breeder, The Smith Family”.

Kennel & Training Clubs, vets, groomers and rescues should do the same with messages like:
· Successfully hosting all breed shows in (city/county) for XXX years.
· Successfully helping owners train their dogs to be good citizens in (city/county).
· Providing quality medical care to (city/county) pets.
· Keeping (city/county) canine residents well groomed for xxx years.
· Proudly re-homing “thrown away” dogs and cats in (city/county) to new forever homes.
ALWAYS use “owner”, “owners”, “owned by” - NEVER use the words “guardian”or “caretaker”.

We think you get the drift here what we are looking for - positive contact from constituents to
elected officials. If enough people do this, including friends and family with photos of them, the
kids, and the family pet(s) signed “Happily sharing family life with our (breed/mixed) dog(s)”,
legislators will realize just how many constituents are out there with pets. You could even neatly
write at the bottom of the card, “My Dog Votes”.

Naturally, you would be free to elaborate on your card, but keep it simple, not related to any
particular legislation.

The cost of a couple more Christmas/Holiday cards, stamps, and photos is negligible compared
to what you will suffer should anti-dog legislation be enacted in your community, county, or state.
In the case of state or federal officials, the cards should be sent to their home/district offices - not
their State Capital address.

Please crosspost this DPCA/ARC Challenge to appropriate lists and all kennel clubs, trainers,
judges, veterinarians, groomers, and pet owners. Together we can make a positive impression on
our officials - let them know we are out there; let them know we are voters; let them put faces to
their 2 and 4 footed constituents.

The American Rottweiler Club has partnered with the DPCA in issuing this Challenge. Will your
club or organization join us?

Thank you,
Dana M. Johnson Jan Cooper
DPCA Legislative Director ARC Legislative Chair

It is suggested that kennel clubs post this Challenge on their websites along with the
appropriated addresses for state and local officials – making it very easy for members and friends to participate in this effort.

Art Work by Deborah McClelland, Jarde English Cockers