AUGUSTA, Maine — Dog and cat breeders, shelter operators, humane agents and state officials charged with caring for animals worked for hours Wednesday on new kennel regulations, coming to agreement on many issues.
The task force was created by the Legislature last winter to work with the Animal Welfare Division’s Director Norma Worley and state veterinarian Christine Fraser to create new breeding standards. A full report will be ready by January, along with a draft bill.
Statutory kennel regulations, the task force maintains, will weed out those breeders not providing adequate care and help solve Maine’s puppy mill problem.
But one of the most exciting endeavors suggested Wednesday was the creation of a Blue Ribbon Breeder designation, one that will be promoted by the state and appear on the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Web site. The Blue Ribbon designation will highlight those Maine breeders that are doing everything right and responsibly, and give them an opportunity to use that status as a marketing tool.
“People are paying $3,000 for a puppy and then the breeder refuses to give them the [pedigree registration] papers,” Larry Doyon said. Doyon represents the state’s dog breeders on the task force. “I get calls like this all the time. We need some teeth in the law.”
One of Doyon’s suggestions was to create a refund penalty if a seller fails to provide registry documentation to the buyer with 90 days.
“People are getting taken by [American Kennel Club] frauds,” Worley said, referring to the dozens of breeders that advertise purebred puppies and cats but then fail to provide certification.
Jay Kitchner, representing the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs, said Maine has just 15 AKC-registered kennels, yet a quick check of most large newspapers and the Uncle Henry’s shoppers’ guide shows hundreds of dogs for sale by others, all purporting to be pedigreed or purebred.
Sharon Ann Paradis said there are only 10 licensed catteries in the state, despite many more advertisers.
The new regulations deal with minimum standards for shelter, exercise, pen sizes, the sale of cats and dogs, and the definitions of breeders and kennels. Details of the standards include the elimination of wire cages, having a veterinarian of record, proper grooming, correct food and sanitation of all enclosures twice a day.
The new definitions also address the issue of free housing. “I’ve been in places where there are 50 dogs, all together in one area,” Fraser said. “This raises disease and safety issues, not to mention sanitation issues.”
The regulations apply only to breeding kennels and do not include household pets and sled dogs.
A tiered system is being favored, designating hobby breeders and commercial breeders and changing the licensing fees based on the kennel’s function, rather than numbers of dogs. As the proposal exists, the kennel fee for hobby breeders — those with five to nine intact females — would remain the same, at $75. Small commercial breeders with between 10 and 25 intact females would pay $100, and large breeders with 26 or more intact females would pay $200.
Several task force members said they have been heavily criticized by some Maine breeders for creating what some breeders call restrictive rules and an atmosphere of fear of inspections and seizures by the AWD.
“These are minimum standards,” Worley said. “We haven’t raised the bar too high. We work with people and avoid seizures. We can’t afford it.” The AWD is in the hole $660,000 after more than 500 animals were seized over the past year in some very high-profile cases.
Doyon said, “If people are doing everything right, they don’t need to worry about an inspection.”
Task force members agreed that if a breeder is not meeting the proper standards, the department will work with them to bring their kennel up to snuff.
“If we identify four problems and you fix one and two and haven’t done three and four, we aren’t going to seize your animals or shut your kennel,” Fraser said. “We are going to work with you.”
Doyon said he had received hundreds of e-mails full of misperceptions about the task force’s work. “The goals here are to put regulations in place that treat animals humanely. That’s it.”
On 10/24/08 at 6:55 AM,
Christopher wrote:
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I am impressed. A lot of mileage appears to have been covered by this task force. Here's hoping that the momentum continues. I have an expensive Golden Retriever for which the breeder never supplied papers and has moved her operation somewhere else. I know I'm not the only victim of this woman.
On 10/24/08 at 12:52 PM,
jasbrits wrote:
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Apparently there are many different issues here, with more surfacing nearly daily for responsible animal owners and breeders in Maine... but as an FYI... a few tidbits of interest. Raising the fees of intact animals: Massachusetts residents have been involved with opposing their state raising licensing fees for intact animals to up to $500. Worrying about an inspection: The people who are doing everything right, do not worry about inspections. They are inspected AT LEAST once a year by Animal Control Officers, The State of Maine Animal Welfare Department and in some situations by the American Kennel Club. Whenever a responsible animal owner or breeder in Maine raises their voice against this tide of increased regulation they are told 'well if you are doing everything right you have nothing to fear." I am sorry, but they do have something to fear. A quick look at what is happening all across this country will indicate that responsible animal owners and breeders DO have something to fear with strict regulations. Doing everything right? By whose rules? No one is really opposed to money from licensing going to worthy programs such as Spay Maine etc. From what I understand, years ago the plan was proposed for a special license plate where all the money ALL the money not just some of it but ALL of the money would go to funding spay/neuter programs. It was not approved in the past for some reason. It really behooves me to read how factual information about the small number of BREEDING KENNELS in Maine presented to the work group by a well educated, experienced and knowledgable, respected and well known professional among the "dog community" - was actually compared to what appears in Uncle Henrys. Anyone who reads the existing animal welfare laws can see that there are already regulations in place that treat animals humanely. Speaking of which, I would encourage everyone who is reading this and following this story to go to the Department of Animal Welfare website and view a copy of the current breeding kennel license application. The laws being proposed are already in place. People being taken by AKC frauds? People must take responsibility for researching the breeders they are working with. AKC has very strict rules which breeders of purebred dogs do abide by. They must! Or they will loose their AKC accreditiation. Additionally, every member of any dog club in the state of Maine also must abide by the code of ethics of that club. And if they happen to be a member of the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs there is yet another code of ethics to abide by. What people don't understand is that not only are the laws already in place via the State of Maine, but they are already in place by these other organizations. Yes there are people in this state who should not own an animal nor breed. But that's really not who these new laws and regulations are going to effect. These new laws and regulations are going to effect the people who ARE already "doing it right". Last year breeders were faced with being told that they could not use wood to house their animals! They were also informed that kennels had to be a certain size, made out of a certain material. They were also told about exercise requirements etc. If someone does not believe this, then just ask for a copy of the original list of "PUPPY MILL LAWS" that were proposed by Rep. Benjamin Pratt relative to LD 2010. Ethical breeders deserve credit and breeding is not a dirty word. To think that a Blue Ribbon Breeding program may be created is completely repulsive to many. I hope that everyone who is opposed to this idea begins to communicate immediately with their legislators and come together in a united front. To think that responsible animal owners or breeders don't want to spend money to protect the interests of the animals they own is also ludicrous. Vet bills alone can soar up into the thousands per animal. Raising fees isn't what concerns us - it is the reason and for many it feels like the beginning of the end. The days of pacifying responsible animal owners and breeders is over. No more compromise. The facts speak for themselves and responsible animal owners all across this country are fed up with what has been happening. The year that LD 1615 was passed in Maine many were caught sleeping. Last year regarding LD2171 and LD2010 there was a clear clarion wake up call. In the next legislative session, you can bet each and every piece of legislation effecting responsible animal owners and breeders will be looked at with a fine tooth comb by hundreds.
On 10/24/08 at 12:55 PM,
TuckerPuppy08 wrote:
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When I bought my Golden Retriever pup this fall, I made 100% sure that this dog would have AKC papers and a vet exam. When I was looking for a pup, I was amazed at how many people were selling what they claimed to be purebred pups, but had no papers whatsoever and they wanted a fortune for them. The breeder I got my puppy from gave me all of the AKC and vet paperwork the day I went to pick him up. All breeders should be like this.
On 10/25/08 at 9:06 PM,
Gersheps wrote:
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While this may sound fairly reasonable, why haven't we heard more about the move that is supposedly afoot to pass legislation which allows the State of Maine Animal Welfare Dept to enter your property WITHOUT A WARRANT and SEIZE ANIMALS on any pretext, or for any reason, whatsoever. As I understand it, this is the brainchild of Norma Worley. Obviously, Animal Welfare has been listening to the AR extremists in crafting their future plans. Equally obvioulsy, these people have either never read the Constitution of the United States, or they have no regard whatsoever for it. Maybe it is time to start educating these people about the Individual Rights guaranteed by our Constitution.
On 10/26/08 at 7:55 PM,
RobinSong wrote:
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There are a lot of misconceptions, and the state isn't helping, with its talk of "Blue Ribbon" kennels. The AKC is a registry. An AKC-registerable puppy has parents that are purebreds, but the AKC does nothing to certify the health, temperament, or conformation of the parents. That's not their function. If a breeder does not keep proper records, or is found to violate the AKC's ethical standards and policies, the breeder can lose his rights to register litters with the AKC. I have purchased purebred dogs over the years, both as pets and to show, and have done my homework beforehand. Buyers are advised to consult the national parent club for their breed (Rottweiler Club of America, Golden Retriever Club of America, etc.) for breeder referral contacts in their area. All of these clubs have websites that are easy to find. These breeders belong to the national parent club, or to regional or local clubs, and abide by their codes of ethics. The parent club websites also contain information about the health clearances that the sire and dam should have had before being bred. Before I pay for a puppy, I make sure that I receive the AKC registration slip at the time of purchase, as well as health clearances on both parents. And, I do my homework about the breeder. If you want to purchase a purebred dog, contact the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs and its breeder referral contact. Go to a dog show. Talk to breeders who have a passion for their breeds. Find the parent breed club on the internet. Don't depend on the state -- do your homework. Most breeds have some health issues, and it pays to be informed. There is no guarantee of a perfect puppy, "Blue Ribbon" certification or not. But, if you take the time to search for a good breeder, you'll find someone who is knowledgable about their breed, and someone who will stand behind their puppies, serving as a resource to the buyers. We have a state-wide system of Animal Control Officers, and laws regarding sanitation and the conditions under which animals should be kept. Enforce what we have -- don't add layers of bureaucracy and cost that are unnecessary and unaffordable. I'm not impressed by the State and it's efforts. I am impressed by the efforts of the hobbyist breeders in Maine and throughout the country who are motivated by the love of their breeds. I don't know what an "AKC fraud" is. If a buyer suspects that a breeder is misrepresenting an AKC-registerable puppy, they can report the breeder to the AKC. However, if the breeder promises a registration slip, the buyer should not pay for the puppy until it is forthcoming. I wouldn't buy a car without a title, either.
On 10/28/08 at 7:11 AM,
Ralph2 wrote:
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If you are a responsible animal owner why is the rao of me website full of articles by a convicted animal abuser? I am sure the really responsible
breeders want nothing to do with you people. Her lawsuits in the courts have all been thrown out! She is a trouble maker with nothing better to do with her time but dream about getting rich on the State of Maine. She was receiving visits from a State agent in Mass before she fled to Maine. Of course the agent never got in the house. Why if she was so clean and treating her animals so well did she not let them in? The truth is the floors had to be torn out of that house due to the stench from her animals. I am very happy for all the animals who will be protected by these rules. I am also happy to see there are breeders and pet owners who really care about there animals.
On 11/11/08 at 9:51 PM,
akinbac wrote:
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As the owner of a show/hobby kennel I dont have a problem with the extra fee's. Any one who has a kennel licence in this state is already inspected yearly so how will more inspections help other then costing the state more money. I have had an inspection done for the past 10 yrs. The ACO's have been very thorough, checking the dogs, housing, food ect. Have never had a problem with that. If there is so much of a problem with kennels, then why are thy passing their inspections.
I dont feel more rules and regulations are going to help much especially concerning people getting "ripped off" by some sellers. People need to do their research before purchasing a puppy. If the breeder doesnt have the papers in hand, along with the pups health certs, parents health testing, health guarentee's amoung other things, then they need to walk away and find a good breeder.
If the state feels so strong about buyers getting ripped off, why dont they educate about the importance of going to a hobby breeder instead of the many back yard breeders & puppy mills in this state? Finding a breeder who does the health checks, gives a good guarentee, gives support after the sale, knows about the breed, shows or works their dogs. You cant go buy a car for cheap money and expect it to run great verse buying a new car with a warrenty, why would anyone buy a dog with out health checks on parents ect ?
Our constitutional rights will be taken away bit by bit if the state gives the Human Agents the right to come into our homes and take our animals with out a search warrent. They already have this right if there is cause for neglect. Sounds like AR properganda to me. Dont be fooled people, AR groups, like Peta, HSUS ect are not about "saving or helping animals". They want to liberate or unslave animals. Do your research on these groups and you will learn the truth about them. They dont save them, they euthinize them. They dont help out shelters, fosters, rescues,offer education or spay/neuter clinics. Even their own shelters (which is only a few), their euthinasion rates are extreemly high but they dont want the public to stop sending them money.
I think that those who abuse, neglect and mistreat animals should be held accountable. I dont feel that the government should leave this in the hands of private ogranizations like the Human Society's.
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