January 2014 AKC Legislative Conference Report
Submitted by Vicki Kubic – AMSC Legislative Liaison



Mike Williams – AKC Federal Affairs Advisor – works with Sheila Goffe of the AKC

• Our eyes and ears in Washington DC
• Monitors federal legislation and regulations
• When PUPS bill was alive, the lobbying efforts of the AKC reduced the co-sponsors from 215 to about 110 – excellent success!

Take-a-ways
• Focus on your Congressperson or their Outreach or Policy staff. In person is the best contact! Invite members or staff to canine events, tours of kennel operations, etc. Get Media participation/photos ops – politicians love positive press!
• Look for allies – Farming Groups, Sporting Groups, Canine Groups and retailers that rely on the pet industry.
• Needs more participation from us to enhance AKC’s public policy advocacy
• Get involved – stay involved and educate!
• Contribute to AKC PAC (Political Action Committee) and AKC Canine Legislative Fund
• Get others involved
• AKC Brand is our BIGGEST strength! Everyone knows the AKC and they are respected.




Jennifer Clark – Manager of Canine Legislation
Sarah Sprouse – Legislative Analyst

• Origins of Canine Legislation – Legislators see a problem and want to fix it & get pressure from the community to find a solution – ex. Lots of dogs in shelters, pit bulls, and perceived puppy mills……THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE!
• Community Activism
1. Be active BEFORE in your community before there is an issue.
2. Write a Responsible Pet Owner column or tip of the week to local media.
3. Host CGC and RDOD events.
4. Think outreach! Be creative!
• Become Active Citizens!
1. Get to know your local officials and legislators.
2. Research candidates and identify dog-friendly candidates.
3. VOTE!!!!!!!!! Politician pay attention to their constituents and especially those that vote!
• Work Together!
1. Networking with Like-Minded people and businesses ex. pet food, supplies, other clubs & retailers that specialize in pets.
• Legislative Process 101 – Good or Bad legislation – stick with it throughout the whole process!
• Meeting with Legislators
1. Target Staff- they do have a voice – more than you would guess!
2. Great icebreaker question regarding possible legislation “What problem are we trying to fix?” Try to determine what the real issue is. That will help you frame your strategies.
3. Tell YOUR story!
4. Most Legislators do not have an ideological view on animal control.
5. They can easily be misled by AR’s but can also be educated.
6. Money talks! Did you know that every dog owned contributes $1500 per year to the local economy? Limit laws don’t work.
7. Understand the legal definition of words, phrases & terms. In other words, is there one? Example, there really is no legal definition of a puppy mill, just perceptions.
8. If possible, organize a Legislator Education Day – contact Jennifer and Sarah for ideas.

Take-a-ways
• Set our personal bar high!
• Comply with local laws.
• Know your current laws.
• Watch your language!!!!
1. Don’t say “puppy mill” say Substandard Breeder.
2. Don’t say “Back Yard Breeder” say Casual Breeder.
3. Avoid saying Rescue, say instead Re-homing.
4. Acknowledge Competent and Ethical Rescues & Shelters.
• Don’t Throw Breeders Under the Bus.

AKC is here to help! Government Relations 919-816-3720 doglaw@akc.org
Tons of great support material at www.akc.org/governmentrelations




Phil Guidry – AKC Senior Policy Analyst

• Focuses on Content, Context and Legislative Intent.
• Provides guidance to AKC on proposed legislation.
• If you are researching bills, make sure the bill is current.
• The language in a proposed bill can be a deal breaker if it is not crystal clear.
• Criminal laws need to be specific!! Not vague. That is how many bills are shot down.
• AKC can help interrupt bills for you.
• There are so many aspects to canine legislation! See slide below:




Sarah Longwell – Sr. Vice President Berman and Company (Center for Consumer Freedom)
Taking Back the Conversation

• Humanewatch.org http://www.humanewatch.org there is a lot of material on this website we can use!



















• HSUS and other AR organizations specialize in “Humane Confusion” they have perceived “Moral Authority” by demonizing us.
• Their extremely successful strategy is “Mission Creep” or “Moving the Goalpost”. Little by little they move their agenda forward, one step at a time.
• Go on the OFFENSE!!!!
• Use humor! Think Lawyers in Cages – one of Humanewatch’s most popular videos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTrhQd9GHlE&feature=c4-overview&list=UUSequKm98Aawh0wN97Gzwlw
• Point to their excesses! Use their words against them! Wayne Pacelle’s quotes ““We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding …One generation and out. We have no problems with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding.” “I don’t want to see another cat or dog born.” – CEO Wayne Pacelle in Bloodties, 1994 “We don’t want any of these animals to be raised and killed…unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of waiting until we have the opportunity to get rid of the entire [animal agriculture] industry.” – Vice President for farm animal issues Miyun Park, in a 2006 speech
• Very few media outlets will challenge them. Fox ran a piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n9BNmGtmv0
As did WSB-TV in Atlanta
http://ar-hr.com/?page_id=677
Most media is afraid to challenge them.


• Use Facebook and other social media to go viral!
• BE aware that ASPCA is starting to make moves as well




Bill McIntyre – Executive Vice President - Grassroots Enterprise
Media training for Dog Advocates

• 79% of the population look on-line for information about dogs
• 73% believe that vets are a reliable source of information
• 71% believe other dog owners are a reliable source of information
• 42% believe that dog breeders are a reliable source of information – WOW! Should be much higher! Should be Breeders, then vets then owners!!!!
• Vets have the best reputation for info & reliability
• When you are interviewed
1. DO stick to the talking points
2. DO tell the truth
3. DO assume everything is on the record
4. DO correct mistakes, including your own
5. DO be brief
6. DO Back up comments with facts
7. DON’T lie
8. DON’T attempt humor
9. DON’T fidget or ramble
10. DON’T use negative words or jargon
• The Three “P’s” of Media Interviews
1. Prepare – establish objectives
2. Practice – anticipate negative questions, hone your message
3. Perfection – state the message
• Be a good storyteller







Sheila Goffe – AKC Director of Government Relations
The Latest from AKC GR: Trends, Tools and Resources

• Dog Legislation increasingly treats breeders as a pariah, rather than experts
• Incrementally threatens purebred dog and all dog sports
• EVERYONE is affected
• New Trends/Themes to watch
1. Trying to regulate pet sales based on the type of transaction
2. Starting to see legislation giving advocacy to dogs
3. Watch exemptions for Hobby Breeders – should be the same for all!
• Someone asked what the AKC’s position on pet stores. It was stated there the AKC does not have a specific position on pet stores. However, the reality check is that pet stores are actually one of the most regulated venues in the pet industry!!
• AKC Resources
1. Personalized Assistance 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org
2. GR Toolbox and Materials on AKC website including advocacy training, issue analysis, legislative alerts, policy briefs, educational presentations and more.
3. AKC PAC – effective and easy. Support Legislators who support us! More than $80K in campaign contributions with an 85% success rate. www.akc.org/pac
• New Resources & Tools for Outreach
1. Revived Legislator of the Year award
2. Dog Friendly Community Award
3. Educational Grants available for up to $500 – call Sheila for more info




Margaret Poindexter – Vice President & General Council – AKC
Canine Litigation

• Legislation is normally not the answer NOR is litigation – example Medlen case in TX. Family dog accidently euthanized by a shelter. Family sued for non-economic damages (emotional loss) and won. Went to Texas Supreme Court and was revoked. http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/historical/2013/apr/120047.pdf

• AVMA – we have their backs and they should know it – pets are valued as property when it comes to damages. Currently vets only have to have general liability insurance, not mal-practice. That would change if they could be sued for emotional loss or malpractice. Vet costs would go through the roof and become unaffordable for the average pet owner!
• Quarterhorse Clone case in Texas. Quarterhorse Association turned to AKC for support as the AKC won’t register clones.
• APHIS – AKC advises not to challenge the Government. Government usually wins. If it appears that litigation is appropriate in the future, the AKC will support.



Patti Strand – National Director – National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA)
Humane Relocation and the Animal Rights Movement



• We’re in a propaganda war – the AR’s specialize in the Art of Cause Marketing – first developed in the 70’s (remember the crying American Indian ad for littering from 1971?)



The Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Mercy for Animals and many other fund raising animal rights organizations are part of the growing Conflict Fundraising Industry

Sources for the content contained in this portion of the report can be viewed at:
http://www.naiaonline.org/naia-library/articles/






Humane Relocation – can also be called “Dog Trafficking”



• Very little Media coverage due to pressure from HSUS
• USA Today ran a story in 2003
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-01-30-dogs-usat_x.htm#



• Northeast states MA & CT import 14K dogs per year into each state.
• 10K per year coming in from Mexico through Southern CA
• Humane Relocation is BIG BUSINESS

Dog Trafficking
• Shelters are becoming unregulated pet stores!
• Good intentions in the beginning, but it’s morphed into something not so good
• Demand for pets outweighs supply
• In spite of all the issues, we have little traction until someone dies from one of these dogs







Humane Relocation is BIG $$$$$ BUSINESS



A Connecticut NBC affiliate did a story on it not too long ago, but there is not much press about the issue.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Animal-Adoption-Becoming-Money-Making-Business__Hartford-230767031.html






The effects of Humane Relocation:






Change the Conversation
• We have made a HUGE impact on kennels. Puppy Mills have almost disappeared.
• Overpopulation and euthanasia trends are DOWN dramatically!
• The majority of commercial kennels are well-run, inspected and produce good dogs.


Use your assets effectively! We are the best!!!

Get involved and get engaged
• Support AKC PAC
• If you’re not AT the table, you’re ON the table!
• We support Competent and Ethical Rescue!
• NAIA 2013 Dog Population Study – data collected from registries, NAIS shelter project and AVMA. Formal study with analysis should be complete by year end but initial findings indicate that there are only about 6% of purebred in the shelter system
• Support NAIA http://www.naiaonline.org/


Remember….this is what we’re fighting for – our dogs!



Pat Hastings – AKC Judge, author, speaker, educator
The Breeder as Advocate




• We need to stop preaching to the Choir about dog issues and stop shootings ourselves in the foot!
• Stop picking each other or our practices apart – We must be united and stick together!!!!



• If they are Animal Rights then we must be wrong! We must change the perception!
• We are DOG people – we are NOT bad people!
• Let the public know!!!!
• Puppy Mill photos are SO dated!
• Study released in England that after the ban on docking, the breeding of Dobermans is down 80%.
• We need NEW breeders!
• There is an Animal Research video that could be just as easily about breeders! It’s a must watch!

Stop hiding and change the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qyeHdByuBo









Expose children to purebred dogs! Get your club to buy as many of these books as possible and get them anywhere children can read it….
Vet’s offices,
Library’s, children’s dentists, hospitals, etc.

Not only does Petco not realize HSUS’s real intent, they have actually partnered with HSUS to get their message into our children’s schools. The Petco Foundation has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States' Humane Society Youth to provide KIND News in 1000 elementary schools nationwide. They are indoctrinating our children and teachers with their agenda.

http://www.humanesociety.org/parents_educators/classroom/kind_news_samples_and_reviews.html#.UuucuJWPI5s

“If I ran a Dog Show” is a good way to fight back.



Tara Sad – NH Representative, Chair Environment & Agriculture Committee
A Legislator’s Perspective on Animal Rights

• Join forces with Agriculture to fight the enemy – HSUS, PeTA, Mercy for Animals, etc.
• More legislation is being drafted allowing members of a humane society taking the place of law enforcement – very dangerous precedent.
• Ag-Gag – AR’s training members to be undercover at farms, slaughterhouses, etc. and to film abuse. These films are released months later and we’re finding that some of them are actually staged! How can these groups profess to love animals if they would not report abuse if they witness it, but also would cause abuse!
• AR’s are making farmers the bad guys and are becoming vigilantes.
• Animal Control is usually owned by AR’s
• 95% of the dogs in NH are spayed/neutered. They do not have enough sources for pets so importing dogs is a way of the world there.
• Transporting and import shelters becoming BIG money business. The tax return of one transporter was $3MM in a 9 month period!

New Business – Saving Dogs – Make a Killing $$$$$

Take-A-Ways
• Get to know your elected officials
• Know what’s coming up
• Testify at hearings
• Lobby for your rights!!!


Jan Gardner – NH Representative
Political Involvement – From Fancier to Legislator

• At one time the Mission Statement of Humane Societies was to put themselves out of business. Obviously, that mission statement has changed.
• 1988 Quote by Wayne Pacelle – “The Plan” By the year 2000 the only place anyone could purchase a dog would be at a shelter. They are a little behind schedule, but that type of legislation is actually being proposed in some cities and states.
• Run for office! Make a difference! If you can campaign a dog, you can run for office!

Most breeders don't get it. They think they are such wonderful breeders that no laws would ever touch them. The AR Groups like HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) and PETA are working hard to restrict, severely limit and ultimately take away our rights as breeders.

We are all too quick to swallow their poison when bills are disguised as eliminating those substandard breeders, but what most breeders don't realize is that to them we are all that derogatory breeder hate slur.

They fill social media with emotionally manipulative videos and photos, many old, outdated, taken out of context, doctored or staged in order to create an emotional response to get people to take action and to vilify ALL breeders. The term used is also meant to conjure up those photos and get people to act on their emotions rather than to think rationally and put things into perspective.

Sadly we are so busy fighting each other, throwing that term around on breeders we don't like or think they breed too much to be able to look at the bigger picture, put our differences aside and fight these onslaught of proposed legislation. We're so fractured and because we love animals, we are played by the AR groups. The thread about how many is two [sic] many is a prime example of more AR rhetoric.

Bottom line, these groups are well-funded and well-organized. The HSUS brags about presenting 1000 new bills a year. City councils listen to them, some on the take and think they are experts in dog husbandry. They are not. Make no mistake about it, they want to end breeding period!

Thank you for posting this. I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.