Saturday, January 30, 2010

Iowa Federation of Animal Owners

Well written letter, forwarded from the NAIA and AKC-LL:
http://tinyurl.com/yg46eg5

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201001210405/OPINION01/1210330

www.desmoinesregister.com

January 21, 2010

Guest column: Don't be misled by misinformation about dog breeding

NANCY CARLSON is spokesperson for the Iowa Federation of Animal Owners.
Contact: iowafederation@gmail.com

The dog breeding industry in Iowa enriches the lives of countless Iowa
families. For some, it's a family-run business that keeps food on the
table and teaches children responsibility. For many others, the industry
provides a new four-legged family member for their homes. Yet with the
legislative session under way, it's only a matter of time before we
start hearing sinister tales of inhumane treatment of animals as a
cynical political tactic to undermine the entire industry. What better
way to answer our critics than with truth?

We have made a lifelong commitment to this business because of the love
and compassion we feel for our animals. The fact is, if dogs are being
treated as poorly as activists claim, they would be physically unable to
breed. There is absolutely no business advantage to taking shortcuts in
the treatment of our animals. The vast majority of us strive to comply
with the already strict requirements of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
This is hard work....

NAIA News
National Animal Interest Alliance

MEDIA RELEASE! Ballot Initiative (Ohio Dog Auctions Act) - 'Phase 2 Relaunch

Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~



The momentum for our ballot initiative 'Phase 2 Relaunch' is gaining tremendous speed, and once again (as was the case with 2009), two national animal welfare organizations, Animal Law Coalition and the ASPCA, are offering their full support in helping us promote this campaign to their 55,000-plus members across the country! (Please see attached Media Release.)



IN THE NEWS...



If you didn't get the chance to read:


> Pet News and Views blogger, Michele Hollow's January 12 article, Efforts to end Ohio's Dog Auctions Continues, please click here. (Thank you Michele!)

> News-Herald reporter Jason Lea's January 11 article, Activists want to ban dog auctions, please click here. (Thank you Jason!). Also, a very special thanks to Jason's fellow reporter, Sandra Klepach, who continues to provide timely updates on her blog, News-Herald Blogs > Pets Unleashed. To read her latest article, Meeting with Senator Grendell to Discuss Ohio Dog Auctions Act, please click here. (Thank you Sandra!)

> Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Donna Miller's January 8 article, Petition drive to ban dog auctions and curb Ohio puppy mills: Animals in the News, please click here. And her December 11 article, Effort to ban dog auctions requires 120,700 signatures: Animals in the News, please click here. (Thank you Donna!)

> Supporter Jeanie Antonacci's December 14 Sun Messenger - Letter to the Editor, Voters need to sign a petition to ban dog auctions in Ohio, please click here. (Thank you Jeanie!)

We are very grateful for these news stories and letters (which resulted in our team receiving over 781 calls and e-mails from readers across the state asking how they can support the Ohio Dog Auctions Act), and hope Michelle, Donna, Jason, Sandra and Jean (along with other reporters, bloggers and concerned citizens across the Ohio) will continue writing about this very important campaign!

For a complete listing of media releases relating to our ballot initiative, please click here.

WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW...


As of January 1, we have collected a total of 7,202 of the 120,700 signatures needed to successfully complete Phase 2 of our drive. A HUGE THANKS to the 228 volunteer Petition Circulators who helped raise awareness of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act by helping to collect signatures from 64 counties! We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of these dedicated individuals, many of whom work full-time jobs, are raising families as single parents and/or contribute time and energy to various humane organizations across the state.



Despite reaching just under 6% of our signature goal, this still represented a very strong showing given that Phase 2 of our signature drive was not launched until after the November 3, 2009 election (efforts from our volunteers and supporters were focused on defeating Ohio Issue 2).



Because so many people across Ohio and beyond feel passionately in supporting a ban on dog auctions, we are continuing to move full steam ahead with 'Phase 2 Relaunch' of our signature drive; collecting a minimum of 113,498 valid signatures from registered Ohio voters by December 1, 2010. The signatures are necessary to put the proposed law before the Legislature in January 2011.



If our lawmakers do not move on the proposed legislation within 90 days, our team will proceed to 'Phase 3'; gathering another minimum 120,700 valid signatures from registered voters to put the Ohio Dog Auctions Act on the 2011 ballot.


WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR 'PART 2 RELAUNCH'...



Now more than ever, 'Phase 2 Relaunch' of our signature drive will require us to move fast and smart in collecting a minimum of 113,498 signatures by December 1, 2010! To ensure this signature drive is successful and meets the requirements mandated by the Secretary of State, two important steps must take place:
The total number of signatures collected for our Petition must equal at least three percent (3%) of the total vote cast for the office of governor during the 2006 gubernatorial election, and
Signatures must be collected from at least 44 of the 88 counties in Ohio.
To view the minimum number of signatures required for each of the 88 Ohio counties, as well as where we stood as of January 1 relative to our goal of ensuring we have a minimum of 120,700 signatures by December 1, 2011, please scroll to the bottom of this page!



TO HELP US SUCCEED WITH 'PART 2 RELAUNCH'...



New Campaign Kits! To help everyone hit the ground running, we have created a new campaign kit which contains a media release, an informational sheet on the top questions (with answers) everyone needs to know on Ohio dog auctions and an informational sheet onbest strategies in helping to raise awareness and gather signatures from registered voters.



To download these and other informational materials, including a copy of the Initiative Petition (Ohio Dog Auctions Act), please click here.



Town Hall Meetings! If you've been following our Facebook messages, you've probably read that part of our strategy will include Town Hall meetings throughout Ohio. The purpose of these events is to introduce attendees to the team who have been instrumental in leading and supporting our campaign for the various counties, and to provide everyone an opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue on the proposed legislation.



The first (of what we anticipate will be many) is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village. Senator Tim Grendell (R-18) will also be joining our discussion.



In addition to Geauga, we are currently working in partnership with dedicated animal advocates to hold meetings during February, March and April in the following counties - Athens, Butler, Columbiana, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Jackson, Lorain, Lucas, Montgomery and Richland. Additional details concerning dates, times and locations of each Town Hall Meeting will be posted to our website the week of January 18.





NOW IS THE TIME TO SERVE AS A STRONG VOICE FOR THE DOGS!


The next Ohio Dog Auction is scheduled to take place in February. Over 300 dogs are expected to be placed on the block. Now is the time to send a strong message to our state legislators that dog auctions are an embarrassment to Ohio and its humane minded citizens, and voters and taxpayers are committed to supporting a 2011 ballot initiative to ban these events from our community!


Again, we greatly appreciate all your dedication and support for the dogs!



P.S. If you haven't done so already, we invite you to join the over 1,650 voices who have become members of our FaceBook group, Ohio Voters Against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions. Membership is FREE, and our portal serves as a great vehicle in which to receive timely updates on issues and campaigns addressing Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills and the entities that support and keep them in business.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Subject: MEDIA RELEASE! Ballot Initiative (Ohio Dog Auctions Act) - 'Phase 2 Relaunch'

Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~



The momentum for our ballot initiative 'Phase 2 Relaunch' is gaining tremendous speed, and once again (as was the case with 2009), two national animal welfare organizations, Animal Law Coalition and the ASPCA, are offering their full support in helping us promote this campaign to their 55,000-plus members across the country! (Please see attached Media Release.)



IN THE NEWS...



If you didn't get the chance to read:


> Pet News and Views blogger, Michele Hollow's January 12 article, Efforts to end Ohio's Dog Auctions Continues, please click here. (Thank you Michele!)

> News-Herald reporter Jason Lea's January 11 article, Activists want to ban dog auctions, please click here. (Thank you Jason!). Also, a very special thanks to Jason's fellow reporter, Sandra Klepach, who continues to provide timely updates on her blog, News-Herald Blogs > Pets Unleashed. To read her latest article, Meeting with Senator Grendell to Discuss Ohio Dog Auctions Act, please click here. (Thank you Sandra!)

> Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Donna Miller's January 8 article, Petition drive to ban dog auctions and curb Ohio puppy mills: Animals in the News, please click here. And her December 11 article, Effort to ban dog auctions requires 120,700 signatures: Animals in the News, please click here. (Thank you Donna!)

> Supporter Jeanie Antonacci's December 14 Sun Messenger - Letter to the Editor, Voters need to sign a petition to ban dog auctions in Ohio, please click here. (Thank you Jeanie!)

We are very grateful for these news stories and letters (which resulted in our team receiving over 781 calls and e-mails from readers across the state asking how they can support the Ohio Dog Auctions Act), and hope Michelle, Donna, Jason, Sandra and Jean (along with other reporters, bloggers and concerned citizens across the Ohio) will continue writing about this very important campaign!

For a complete listing of media releases relating to our ballot initiative, please click here.

WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW...


As of January 1, we have collected a total of 7,202 of the 120,700 signatures needed to successfully complete Phase 2 of our drive. A HUGE THANKS to the 228 volunteer Petition Circulators who helped raise awareness of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act by helping to collect signatures from 64 counties! We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of these dedicated individuals, many of whom work full-time jobs, are raising families as single parents and/or contribute time and energy to various humane organizations across the state.



Despite reaching just under 6% of our signature goal, this still represented a very strong showing given that Phase 2 of our signature drive was not launched until after the November 3, 2009 election (efforts from our volunteers and supporters were focused on defeating Ohio Issue 2).



Because so many people across Ohio and beyond feel passionately in supporting a ban on dog auctions, we are continuing to move full steam ahead with 'Phase 2 Relaunch' of our signature drive; collecting a minimum of 113,498 valid signatures from registered Ohio voters by December 1, 2010. The signatures are necessary to put the proposed law before the Legislature in January 2011.



If our lawmakers do not move on the proposed legislation within 90 days, our team will proceed to 'Phase 3'; gathering another minimum 120,700 valid signatures from registered voters to put the Ohio Dog Auctions Act on the 2011 ballot.


WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR 'PART 2 RELAUNCH'...



Now more than ever, 'Phase 2 Relaunch' of our signature drive will require us to move fast and smart in collecting a minimum of 113,498 signatures by December 1, 2010! To ensure this signature drive is successful and meets the requirements mandated by the Secretary of State, two important steps must take place:
The total number of signatures collected for our Petition must equal at least three percent (3%) of the total vote cast for the office of governor during the 2006 gubernatorial election, and
Signatures must be collected from at least 44 of the 88 counties in Ohio.
To view the minimum number of signatures required for each of the 88 Ohio counties, as well as where we stood as of January 1 relative to our goal of ensuring we have a minimum of 120,700 signatures by December 1, 2011, please scroll to the bottom of this page!



TO HELP US SUCCEED WITH 'PART 2 RELAUNCH'...



New Campaign Kits! To help everyone hit the ground running, we have created a new campaign kit which contains a media release, an informational sheet on the top questions (with answers) everyone needs to know on Ohio dog auctions and an informational sheet onbest strategies in helping to raise awareness and gather signatures from registered voters.



To download these and other informational materials, including a copy of the Initiative Petition (Ohio Dog Auctions Act), please click here.



Town Hall Meetings! If you've been following our Facebook messages, you've probably read that part of our strategy will include Town Hall meetings throughout Ohio. The purpose of these events is to introduce attendees to the team who have been instrumental in leading and supporting our campaign for the various counties, and to provide everyone an opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue on the proposed legislation.



The first (of what we anticipate will be many) is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village. Senator Tim Grendell (R-18) will also be joining our discussion.



In addition to Geauga, we are currently working in partnership with dedicated animal advocates to hold meetings during February, March and April in the following counties - Athens, Butler, Columbiana, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Jackson, Lorain, Lucas, Montgomery and Richland. Additional details concerning dates, times and locations of each Town Hall Meeting will be posted to our website the week of January 18.





NOW IS THE TIME TO SERVE AS A STRONG VOICE FOR THE DOGS!


The next Ohio Dog Auction is scheduled to take place in February. Over 300 dogs are expected to be placed on the block. Now is the time to send a strong message to our state legislators that dog auctions are an embarrassment to Ohio and its humane minded citizens, and voters and taxpayers are committed to supporting a 2011 ballot initiative to ban these events from our community!


Again, we greatly appreciate all your dedication and support for the dogs!



P.S. If you haven't done so already, we invite you to join the over 1,650 voices who have become members of our FaceBook group, Ohio Voters Against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions. Membership is FREE, and our portal serves as a great vehicle in which to receive timely updates on issues and campaigns addressing Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills and the entities that support and keep them in business.

For more information on how you can become a member, please click here.



P.S.S. If you are interested in purchasing any of our low cost campaign gear (car magnets, lawn signs, t-shirts, etc.) or making a donation through PayPal to help raise awareness of Ohio dog auctions and their relationship to puppy mill breeders, please click here.

County Total votes cast in 2006 governor's race 3% (the MINIMUM number of signatures we need to collect by 12/1/10) The total number of signatures we have collected as of 1/1/10 Percent of Goal
Adams 8,685 261 14 5.36%
Allen 36,229 1,087 0 0.00%
Ashland 19,355 581 14 2.41%
Ashtabula 33,865 1,016 5 0.49%
Athens 19,840 595 114 19.16%
Auglaize 16,907 507 0 0.00%
Belmont 23,996 720 0 0.00%
Brown 14,044 421 1 0.24%
Butler 115,895 3,477 65 1.87%
Carroll 11,152 335 5 1.49%
Champaign 14,264 428 2 0.47%
Clark 49,056 1,472 1 0.07%
Clermont 65,010 1,950 31 1.59%
Clinton 12,646 379 0 0.00%
Columbiana 36,223 1,087 2 0.18%
Coshocton 13,408 402 419 104.23%
Crawford 16,744 502 0 0.00%
Cuyahoga 454,100 13,623 1,986 14.58%
Darke 20,223 607 0 0.00%
Defiance 13,638 409 0 0.00%
Delaware 64,773 1,943 192 9.88%
Erie 30,106 903 10 1.11%
Fairfield 54,004 1,620 23 1.42%
Fayette 8,402 252 1 0.40%
Franklin 373,258 11,198 1,071 9.56%
Fulton 16,141 484 1 0.21%
Gallia 10,165 305 0 0.00%
Geauga 39,148 1,174 304 25.89%
Greene 59,113 1,773 0 0.00%
Guernsey 13,375 401 2 0.50%
Hamilton 287,496 8,625 162 1.88%
Hancock 25,675 770 249 32.34%
Hardin 9,723 292 13 4.45%
Harrison 6,095 183 0 0.00%
Henry 11,473 344 0 0.00%
Highland 13,158 395 0 0.00%
Hocking 9,860 296 330 111.49%
Holmes 8,108 243 12 4.94%
Huron 18,917 568 3 0.53%
Jackson 10,423 313 103 32.91%
Jefferson 26,133 784 0 0.00%
Knox 20,780 623 12 1.93%
Lake 88,006 2,640 299 11.33%
Lawrence 19,109 573 1 0.17%
Licking 59,051 1,772 24 1.35%
Logan 16,080 482 7 1.45%
Lorain 100,632 3,019 348 11.53%
Lucas 142,784 4,284 52 1.21%
Madison 13,441 403 17 4.22%
Mahoning 95,251 2,858 4 0.14%
Marion 21,691 651 11 1.69%
Medina 65,511 1,965 110 5.60%
Meigs 7,707 231 13 5.63%
Mercer 15,646 469 1 0.21%
Miami 37,054 1,112 23 2.07%
Monroe 6,066 182 0 0.00%
Montgomery 189,201 5,676 90 1.59%
Morgan 5,516 165 11 6.67%
Morrow 12,575 377 8 2.12%
Muskingum 28,719 862 9 1.04%
Noble 5,072 152 0 0.00%
Ottawa 17,207 516 0 0.00%
Paulding 7,479 224 0 0.00%
Perry 11,291 339 1 0.29%
Pickaway 17,960 539 141 26.16%
Pike 9,776 293 0 0.00%
Portage 54,970 1,649 60 3.64%
Preble 15,553 467 2 0.43%
Putnam 14,161 425 0 0.00%
Richland 45,799 1,374 18 1.31%
Ross 23,839 715 2 0.28%
Sandusky 22,736 682 1 0.15%
Scioto 26,369 791 0 0.00%
Seneca 20,051 602 1 0.17%
Shelby 17,029 511 0 0.00%
Stark 139,414 4,182 269 6.43%
Summit 197,747 5,932 297 5.01%
Trumbull 81,128 2,434 18 0.74%
Tuscarawas 31,585 948 43 4.54%
Union 16,877 506 14 2.77%
Van Wert 10,409 312 0 0.00%
Vinton 4,422 133 12 9.02%
Warren 68,091 2,043 21 1.03%
Washington 22,788 684 0 0.00%
Wayne 38,546 1,156 113 9.78%
Williams 13,033 391 0 0.00%
Wood 45,616 1,368 13 0.95%
Wyandot 8,160 245 1 0.41%
TOTAL COUNTIES 4,022,754 120,682 7,202 5.97%

Monday, January 4, 2010

Dismal Year for the dog industry

I'm just starting to put together numbers for the year and so far it paints a very ugly picture. (Pretty picture for the dogs, ugly for the dog industry.)


Overall, the average pet store puppy price in 2009 was $887. That compares to $1019 in 2008, $1031 in 2007 (the all-time high).


If the Industry was expecting Christmas sales to pull them out of the slump, they were grossly miscalculating the economy and the public's increasing knowledge of puppy mills and the pet store connection.


The average 2009 Christmas puppy (from Thanksgiving until Dec. 31st) was $936; in 2008, $973; in 2008 $1095. Volume was also EXTREMELY LOW, however many customers don't fill out a request for information until weeks, or even years, after they purchase the puppy, so we can't yet calculate the volume of 2009 holiday sales.


The highest prices Christmas puppy I researched for 2009 was $1800. This compares to $3300 in 2008, and $4950 in 2007.


The dog industry itself has been quoted as saying that holiday puppy sales make up 50-60% of their entire year's profits for stores that sell puppies. We saw many pet stores close their doors in 2009, but suspected many were just trying to make up for their 2009 losses by trying to stay open until after the 2009 Christmas season. It will be interesting to see how many fold in the next month. It will also be interesting to see the deep after-Christmas discounts on pet store puppies.


More statistics will be coming in our Winter 2010 Newsletter. If you aren't yet subscribed, please go to www.petshoppuppies.org and follow the Newsletter link to subscribe. It is a very low volume list -- right now, quarterly, but it could be as many as 6 newsletters a year if there is a fund-raising need that comes up (don't anticipate one for this year).


Permission to cross-post this message is granted.


Kim Townsend

http://www.petshoppuppies.org

Unpacking the HSUS Gravy Train

There are only two things certain in life, as the saying goes, and a byproduct of one of them requires nonprofit organizations to file paperwork with the IRS. So now that the deceptively named “Humane Society” of the United States (HSUS) has submitted its "Form 990" for 2008, we thought it was time to take a close look. The tax filing itself is a bit more detailed than ones in the past, thanks to some new IRS rules. And more detail equals a clearer picture of exactly what HSUS is doing -- and what it's not doing -- with all its money. [Click here to view the full document.]

HSUS reported spending almost $20 million on “campaigns, legislation, and litigation”—enough to worry any livestock farmer or hunter looking to keep their chosen lifestyle alive. The group collected over $86 million in contributions, and spent more than $24 million on fundraising, including $4 million on professional fundraisers. Think about it: 28 cents of every dollar contributed to HSUS goes back out the door to raise more money. HSUS even paid a single “lockbox” company more than $4.2 million to count and process its cash hauls. We won’t comment on that company’s curious "ALF" initials (for Arizona Lockbox & Fulfillment).

The bottom line is the same as it ever was: HSUS rakes in millions from unsuspecting Americans who may confuse the animal rights group with an unaffiliated local humane society. And with all this cash flying around, it’s no surprise that 41 HSUS employees made at least $100,000 last year. All told, HSUS paid out over $30.9 million in salaries, wages, and other employee compensation.

HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle earned more than $250,000 in salary and benefits in 2008. We wouldn’t begrudge him a large salary, of course: He runs an animal-rights business “charity,” after all.

But the real trouble lies in where most HSUS money doesn’t go: to pet shelters. In contrast with the group’s extravagant spending on people, HSUS’s total grant allocation was less than $4.7 million. And of that, almost half went to a political campaign committee called “Californians for Humane Farms,” the main lobbying organization responsible for California’s “Proposition 2” ballot initiative.

For all the cute pictures of puppies and kitties on HSUS paraphernalia, you’d think it would operate a pet shelter, or at least give a substantial portion of its money to one. But HSUS has lobbying to do, a PETA-inspired agenda to push, meat eaters to stigmatize, and livestock farmers to put out to pasture. Lobbying? Oh, yes. HSUS takes four full pages to detail its lobbying activities on the state and federal levels.

With all the politicking going on, the animals—remember them?—seem to get lost in the shuffle. We added up the totals, and HSUS gave only a little more than $450,000—that’s just half of one percent of its total budget—in grants to organizations providing hands-on care to dogs and cats. That’s less than 11 percent of what it paid “ALF” (see above) just to count its money.

We’re musing today about HSUS’s next big self-marketing blitz, and some new slogans it might want to use. Our favorite? “HSUS: Feed the lawyers, save the fundraisers, screw the pets.”

Pa. High Court: SPCA Not State Agency, Can Be Sued

Dec 29, 2009 6:10 pm US/Eastern

Pa. High Court: SPCA Not State Agency, Can Be Sued

MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press Writer
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) ? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says the nonprofit group that enforces Pennsylvania' s animal control laws doesn't qualify for immunity from lawsuits because of that work.

The court upheld a Philadelphia jury's verdict that awarded a woman $155,000 from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after about a dozen dogs taken from her home were euthanized.

The court ruled Tuesday that there's no reason to think the General Assembly intended to grant the SPCA status as a commonwealth agency, so it's not entitled to the defense of sovereign or governmental immunity.

The dog owner, Laila Snead of Reading, says she's pleased with the decision but that money won't bring her dogs back.

A phone message left late Tuesday for the SPCA's lawyer wasn't immediately returned.

H1N1 Confirmed in a Pet Dog

Here's a link to read about this topic!

http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.asp