About the Author

Many Fanciers are keenly disappointed with AKC’s failure to stop the onslaught of AR Legislation. Conditioned to regard the sixty million dollar non-profit as our leader in dogs, we are nonetheless becoming increasingly worried, even resentful.

When AKC did the double-cross on PAWS, it lost valuable credibility. To proclaim itself against PAWS and then do a joint announcement with the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) in support of PAWS was staggering!! The Cat Fancier’s Association was equally stunned because it had been diligently working with AKC to defeat PAWS.

It was the ultimate treachery and the fancy rose up against AKC as had never before happened. AKC brought out its PR machine to grind down the rebellion. Key people in the fancy were pressured. For once, it didn’t work. In spite of AKC opposition and support of influential politicians, the PEOPLE defeated it! A wised-up fancy had every reason to feel powerful but no one gloated. We just hugged our pets and soon, with the turnover in the sport, most forgot what AKC had done.

But journalists warned against complacency. We too, reminded readers that PAWS was but a stronger version of the previously defeated Animal Welfare Act - AWA. The cognizant understood that we had vastly underestimated the enemy. In fact, many who served on the front lines were wondering if AKC should be added to the enemies list!

Having failed to capture the nation with PAWS, the AR armies regrouped, examined their mistakes and looked at their options. Infiltration into local and state government? Accomplished. Moles tunneled into shelters and humane societies?  Done. Plus, penetration into former enemy camps had resulted in new leadership and new allies.

So, vastly more empowered and with donations pouring in, the AR Army concentrated its minions on a carefully selected target.

California is the fourth largest economy in the world. It has a lot of politicians hungry for campaign contributions. AKC, the world’s largest dog registry holds its Signature Show in Long Beach. The Golden State is considered the dog (and cat) show capitol of the world. It is by far, the most significant place for animal terrorists to pull off a major coup! CA 1634 would virtually eliminate hobby breeders, insuring national success as it spread eastward across the country.

Is our current predicament coincidence or the result of clever battle strategy? A chronological overview may answer the question. Following defeat of the 2001 Santorum-Whitfield Animal Welfare Act (AWA) things quieted down a bit, but then…

April 26, 2004 - HSUS appointed Wayne Pacelle, VP for 10 years, as the new CEO to replace retiring Paul Irwin. A committed animal rights activist, Pacelle went into high gear and was frequently seen in New York and Washington.

May 26, 2005 - Senator Santorum (R-PA) introduced PAWS with co-sponsor Durbin (D-IL) and House bill introduced by Gerlach (R-PA) and Farr (D-CA).

June 4, 2005 - Bob Kane (SAOVA) wrote AKC stating “I was flabbergasted to learn that AKC personnel drafted extensive portions of this legislation.”

July 27, 2005 – His popularity plummeting and overwhelmed with letters, Santorum says he’ll “convene a hearing” for technical revisions to the bill.

August 2005 – AKC runs full page ads in NY Times urging support of PAWS!

September 2005 Dr. Jim Holt, AKC lobbyist for PAWS, support wearing thin, is invited to debate legislative expert Cindy Cooke at one of the nation’s largest cluster events. He accepts but then chickens out.

November 8, 2005 Santorum sets up and chairs hearing for the Ag. Comm. Subcommittee. Among others, he invites AKC and HSUS to support his agenda.

June 2006 Santorum visits AKC corporate offices where he picks up $29,000 in contributions from the board, with Chairman Ron Menaker giving $20,000.

October 2006 – TheDogPlace poll results - 93% of the dog fancy is by now openly opposed to PAWS and says it actively fought to defeat passage.

2006 PAWS DIED in the 109th Congress. Senator Santorum was defeated.

The battle was just beginning. By 2007, most in the fancy were aware of the immense profit motive (billions of never-ending dollars per year) behind AKC’s involvement in the microchip industry. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was becoming known to dog and cat owners. The Animal Rights armies conquered Albuquerque, Denver, and Louisville, moving on to hit hard in OH, NJ, and PA. By summer 2007, HB 1634 had passed the California Assembly and moved to the Senate!

The future looks bleak. The public doesn’t even know there’s a fight because there has been no national television coverage and that is the main source of news for most Americans. The hobby breeder doesn’t know the legislative score unless they belong to a list or dog club brave enough to disseminate the sobering facts. Clubs are financially strapped, unable to mount an effective defense or the marketing strategy which AKC refuses to do. And now incredibly, AKC seems to be competing for donation dollars, asking the public to donate to its Canine Legislation Department!

There are many casualties in war and the dog sport is no exception. We have seen registrations steadily plummet. Show entries are dismally down and it isn’t just gas prices. Dog food companies did the only “marketing” for purebreds (AKC never has!) and now they are pushing shelter dogs. AKC is preparing to announce formation of a PAC and in violation of its own bylaws, pushing for acceptance of “crossbreds.”

Make no mistake - the pundits are wrong when they say we have never had to fight an enemy on our own soil. We fought for our right to own the breed of our choice but depending on where they live, most Americans lost that battle. Now we fight for a way of life, defending the right to own an intact dog without being cut to the bone financially.

Can we win this war with pretty brochures and educational material? You decide.

Barbara J. Andrews

Handy links:______________________

Lesson In Learning for the New Year. 12/2006

The Future Is Here No sense kidding ourselves. 10/2006

Sold Out By AKC Do we roll over again or ... 9/2006

It's All About Freedom  As we celebrate Independence Day... 6/2006

AA Legislation.  Anti-American, anti-animal, plain and simple 6/2006

Judges Judging Nature The burden is on Judges. 6/2006

Stop A Tank - When we're outnumbered by commercial breeders 5/2006

AKC The Corporation - Accountability is non-existent 4/2006

NAIS - Tying The Knot between AKC, USDA, Digital Angel, PAWS... 3/2006

New Group Judge Approval favors handlers over breeders? 2/2006

The Exemption does not apply to you, the show breeder. 12/2005

Wrong Horse What a ride!  AKC, HSUS, Santorum 10/2005

The Medusa Factor  A plea for warrior leaders 9/2005

Paws and Laws  PETA and HSUS take in millions 8/2005

PAWS For Thought AKC bedding down with the HSUS & DDAL? 7/2005

The Sound Of Freedom enough sour grapes to start a whinery 7/2005

Where Are Our Leaders?  The FBI ranks ELF and ALF 5/2005

AKC Mission - Elections  AKC and Breeder disregard for stud book 2/2005

Dietary Supplements?  If you take supplements 2/2005

FDA's Fancy Fraud gives a whole new look .... 1/2005

re-listed by request,  McDaniels - Martin Cases   9/2002