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They euthanized dogs and cats on television to showcase the issu <br />population and inflamed the public against breeders who they sai <br />blame.6 Much of the information used to sell these ordinances was not <br />true. For one thing, they drew no distinction between different <br />breeders; instead, they lumped responsible breeders who dedicate <br />selves to improving their breeds with people who <br />breed animals without regard to their health, welfare <br />or placement and with families who simply forgot to <br />spay a household pet and wound up with an unwant- <br />ed litter. <br />Today, most of the counties that adopted such <br />provisions have long since discarded them because <br />they did not work. These laws alienated the most <br />responsible dog breeders in the community, but had <br />no affect on the irresponsible ones they were intend- <br />ed to reach. They created a wedge between animal <br />control and citizens who formerly supported them. They drove res <br />breeders underground, and they didnÈt raise funds or address the <br />source of surplus shelter dogs and cats. They were failures by e <br />objective measure.7,8 <br />NAIA opposes breeder licensing and restrictions, not only becaus <br />they donÈt work, but because they are detrimental to the product <br />well-bred, healthy, puppies and kittens of good breed temperamen <br />restrictions lead to the conclusion that breeding pets is a sham <br />when, in fact, in-home hobby breeders who attend dog or cat shows and <br />belong to kennel or cat clubs are major stakeholders in responsi <br />ownership. Such breeders are the best sources for healthy puppie <br />tens and excellent resources for responsible pet ownership educa <br />ects, breed rescue efforts, obedience training, temperament eval <br />behavior problem-solving. They host dog training classes and mic <br />clinics; their club events bring millions of tourism dollars to <br />nities, and they often donate event profits to charity. These hi <br />enced advocates of responsible pet ownership should be the natur <br />of pet licensing programs, but because theyÈve been made the bru <br />unenforceable anti-breeder provisions, they often avoid dealing <br />animal control agencies altogether. <br />A few more notes on unenforceable provisions ... <br />Some communities have been tempted to include prohibitions or <br />restrictions on animal husbandry practices or to add language th <br />tutes guardianship for animal ownership. NAIA opposes these prov <br />because they change the focus of animal control laws, create uni <br />legal and economic consequences and do nothing to enhance compliance. <br />[ 9 ] <br />© National Animal Interest Alliance, March 2005 <br /> <br />