PET JOURNAL
Lakeshore Region
Act 90 from page 1. It includes breeders, pet stores, flea markets, shelters and rescues. It is budget neutral. The licensing fees collected will pay for the enforcement of the regulations. Is it perfect? many laws are.
Of course not.
Not
manely cared for with exercise and socialization requirements. We have had some very sad cases of badly run shelters and rescues in this state - most notably the Thyme and Sage Ranch case which just recently resulted in the conviction of Jennifer Petkus on six counts of animal cruelty.2 Jennifer Petkus held the animal control contract for Richland County at the time.
With our new law, the situation at Is it better than what we had (which Thyme and Sage would never have rewas not much)? Yes. Will it shut down gressed to the point it did. puppy mills? Of course not. If the bill had been written to completely please the shelters and rescues, and omitted input from veterinarians and breeders, it wouldn’t have passed. There are a lot of players in this game and successful negotiations were key to getting an agreeable solution for all. The whole process was very transparent and there was plenty of opportunity for input from all parties involved.
To those of you who think that the bill should have attempted to shut down ALL breeding operations, here’s my question There is a demand for puppies and dogs. Do the math. There are an estimated four million cats and dogs that will be killed in shelters this year. Let’s say half of those are dogs (probably a high estimate, because we know the fate of cats is worse).
If there is any doubt in your mind that Act 90 was needed to oversee dog selling facilities in this state, I urge you to read the very comprehensive article “Puppy Hell” that was published by Milwaukee Magazine in January 2009.1 That article gave the bill the kick start it needed to expose the cruel conditions that Wisconsin dogs were enduring in commercial dog breeding facilities around the state.
So, two million dogs are killed. But, about 17 million people will add a new pet to their family pet year. Again, let’s say half of those people want to get a dog, 8.5 million. Even if you convinced everybody to adopt their new dog from a shelter; where would the remaining 6.5 million dogs come from?
Will Act 90 improve conditions for the dogs living in commercial breeding facilities? Yes. And, it is also the first step in ensuring that shelters and rescues are also maintaining reasonable standards of care. It will ensure that dogs are hu-
Of course, the whining and complaining about the new law has begun. Not by everybody; mostly reputable shelters and rescues are happy that the law passed. They realize that the inconvenience and cost will be more than made up for by the benefits to dogs in this state.
PETS AVAILABLE
Looking for a daisy that never stops blooming? Meet Daisy, a beautiful female 2-yearold Boxer/Shepherd mix who is ready to bring love into your home! This happy-golucky girl enjoys going on long walks, then afterwards settling down in front of the fire for belly rubs and relaxation time with you. She prefers a home with older children, and would enjoy meeting her potential canine buddy. For more information on Daisy, or any of our other canine companions available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus, please visit www.ozaukeehumane.org, or call (262)377-7580.
The Pet Journal Adoption Section Brought to by these sponsors: To find out how to have your business listed here call our offices at: (920) 393-4818
FOR
ADOPTION
Meet Evie a Jack Russel/Chinese Chrested mix, a very active young lady (about 2 years old). Evie has been the subject of two articles of Pet Journal (October and December 2011). For more information on Evie please contact Furry Bottoms Rescue at www.furrybottomsrescue.com.
January 2012 9
Any of you that know me personally know that I am not a huge fan of overregulation by the government. But, that being said, I also worked in an unregulated industry; horse training, breeding and riding instruction; for twenty years. I would have gladly paid a licensing fee and welcomed inspectors with open arms to my farm if I thought it would mean that the bad actors would have been regulated. A few bad actors can ruin the reputation of an industry as a whole, and then responsible players suffer.
Thank you to Representative Jeff Smith, Senator Pat Kreitlow, the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project and everybody that worked hard to make it happen. For very detailed information on the law, I encourage you to check out the website of the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project There aren’t many businesses that (www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com) who don’t require licensing. You have to have thoroughly documented the whole have a license to cut hair, sell Christmas process. trees or run a dating service in Wisconsin. But up until now - you could be reExternal References: 1 sponsible for the health and lives of dogs ) Puppy Hell, Milwaukee Magazine while running a rescue, shelter or comhttp://www.insidemilwaukee.com/ mercial dog breeding operation without Article/242011-PuppyHell 2 a license or any oversight, whatsoever. ) Thyme and Sage Ranch Case, Channel 3000 Some people will argue - Why should http://www.channel3000.com/ the “good guys” have to pay for the sins news/27166686/detail.html of a few? Well, that’s how our society works. We all have to register our veEditors Notes: Kathy Pobloskie, is hicles. The pool of money collected is the Director of the Wisconsin Voters used to enforce and regulate the rules for Companion Animals (http://wivoterof the road, even though most of us are sforcompanionanimals.com). responsible drivers. Hunters and fisherman have to buy licenses to hunt and In the next couple months we will be fish. Even though the vast majority are bringing you the views of Shelters, Resresponsible and follow the rules; the li- cues, Veterinarians, and yes even some censing fees helps enforce the rules for breeders on the good and points of Act those that aren’t. 90 and how it has affected them. Some rescuers are panicking that a The Pet Journal Facebook group has huge influx of dogs being “dumped” by been having a lively discussion on Act 90 breeders will overwhelm the system. and its affects, please consider “followWill it be a busy couple of years for ing us” to find out more. shelters and rescues as some breeders
AT
AREA RESCUES
AND
Meet Timmy a playful, energetic 2 year old Sheltie who is looking for a home through the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue. For more information on Timmy and other Shelties available for adoption please go to www.wisheltierescue.com.
Eastern Wisconsin Herpetological Society & Rescue (920) 467-8610 1017 Fond Du Lac Ave, Sheboygan Falls
www.sheboyganfallsbeautysalon.com
downsize? Probably. But that still isn’t a good reason to oppose a law that will make conditions better for dogs for decades to come. The good shelters and rescues are prepared and have trained staff and volunteers in puppy mill dog rehabilitation.
PO Box 245 Plymouth, WI 53073 920 207-5642 easternwiherps.com
SHELTERS
Scooter is a fun loving 8 yr old Springer Spaniel looking for his forever home. Scooter loves to run and play in his yard and to snuggle up at the end of the day by your side. He is great with kids over 8 and is very eager and willing to learn. Will thrive in an active home that gives him exercise and hugs. Please read his full bio at http:// www.springerrescue.org/dogdocs/regions/available.php?reg=MW#WI
Don’t Shop, Opt to Adopt! 2451 Velp Ave. Howard (920) 434-LUBE