Although most of us would consider having 20+ intact females excessive, stop and think, this would include bitch puppies being shown, retired but unspayed bitches, client dogs, etc. This could also impact handlers. We have large dogs, but those with toy breeds most certainly can maintain 20 or more in ideal conditions. The issue should not be a numbers issue but rather a Standard of Care issue. Some people with competent kennel help can easily maintain 20+ dogs in ideal conditions whereas someone else cannot manage to keep 3 dogs clean, healthy and social. When there is a numbers cap, we have a slippery slope as every year or so, those numbers can be lowered without public input, to where we will have no dogs. This is part of the HSUS 10 yr. plan.

Please review the talking points below and email or better yet, fax the legislators below and express your objection to this bill.

Dana Johnson ==========

TENNESSEE ACTION ALERT

HB 386 Commercial Breeder Act introduced by Rep. Janis Sontany (D, Nashville) is scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee on 4/29.

BILL SYNOPSIS
HB 386 classifies as a commercial breeder any person who possesses or maintains twenty (20) or more adult female dogs in whole or in part for the purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. Requires background checks before license can be granted. Although not written in the bill, it has been confirmed that engineering standards will be used for facilities.

* TALKING POINTS *

* HB 386 assumes that an owner of 20 or more dogs or cats isn't capable of managing and maintaining their animals in good health without state intervention. Numerical limits should not be used as the basis of legislation as numbers do not equate to the level of care a dog or cat receives.

* HB 386 calls for high license fees that could be easily increased.

* Background checks are required in order to obtain a license, treating dog/cat breeders as if they are potential criminals.

* It is already law that sales tax must be collected on puppy sales; creating and funding a huge regulatory scheme on breeders in order to collect tax is unnecessary and extreme.

* Enforcement of existing tax law and animal welfare laws are sufficient and new laws are not needed.

* Tennessee is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall. It is irresponsible to add approximately six million dollars to the budget to fund an inspection program that might cover a few hundred dog breeders.

ACTION NEEDED NOW! PLEASE CALL, FAX, AND EMAIL HOUSE JUSTICE COMMITTEE AND OPPOSE HB 386:

For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

Rep. Kent Coleman (D, 49) - Chair
Phone (615) 741-6829 / Fax (615) 253-0332 rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov
<mailto:rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Jon Lundberg (R, Bristol) - Vice Chair Phone (615) 741-7623 / Fax (615)
253-0272 rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov
<mailto:rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Eddie Bass (D, 65)
Phone (615) 741-1864 / Fax (615) 741-1005 rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov
<mailto:rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Karen D. Camper (D, 87)
Phone (901) 315-8899
Phone: (615) 741-1898
rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Vance Dennis (R, 71)
Phone: (615) 741-2190 / Fax: (615) 253-0377 rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov
<mailto:rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Henry Fincher (D,42) Vice Chair
Phone (615) 741-1875
rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Brian Kelsey (R,83), Chair
Phone (901) 522-9000
Phone (615) 741-4415 / Fax (615) 253-0349 rep.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov
<mailto:rep.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Mike Stewart (D, 52)
Phone: (615) 741-2184
rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Chad Faulkner (R, 36)
Phone: (615) 741-3335
rep.chad.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.chad.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Judd Matheny (R, 47)
Phone (615) 741-7448 / Fax (615) 253-0226 rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov>

Rep. Eric Watson (R, 22)
Phone (615) 741-7799 / Fax (615) 253-0252 rep.eric.watson@capitol.tn.gov <mailto:rep.eric.watson@capitol.tn.gov>

Additional talking points and contact information are available on the SAOVA website http://www.saova.org/Tennessee2.html <http://www.saova.org/Tennessee2.html>

Please share this message widely.

Susan Wolf
Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance - http://saova.org <http://saova.org> Issue lobbying and working to identify and elect supportive legislators

Government Relations Department
American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
(919) 816-3720
(919) 816-4275 FAX