Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2005 19:17:40 -0500
From: Responsible Pet Owners Alliance <rpoa@texas.net>
Subject: Oppose PAWS! One More Time
To: TX-RPOA@listserv.tamu.edu

TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission granted to crosspost.

“PAWS” (Pet Animal Welfare Statute)
S 1139 & H 2669 by Senator Rick Santorum

The Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) is the “tool” which will enable the
Animal Rights Movement to end all use, ownership and breeding of pets in the
US. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) President Wayne Pacelle has
stated: “We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They
are creations of human selective breeding.” (Animal People, May 1993)

For legislators:

* This bill is an affront to a free society and an insult to law-abiding
citizens, treating individuals as if they are all irresponsible. This sets
a dangerous precedent.

* PAWS changes the original “intent” of the Animal Welfare Act, which was
to regulate animals used in research and commercial breeders who sell
wholesale.

* PAWS would allow USDA licensing and federal inspections of rescuers and
hobby/show breeders in their private homes, where they are already regulated
by local laws. USDA regulations cannot be met in a private home.

* PAWS takes away the long standing exemption granted by USDA which states
that animals sold retail (from homes direct to the public) are not required
to be licensed and inspected. This standard was upheld in the 2003 US Court
of Appeals lawsuit brought by Doris Day Animal League against USDA. In the
court’s opinion, there was no “Congressional intent” to regulate hobby/show
breeders.

* USDA didn’t ask for this legislation and is already overburdened and
under funded.

* Numbers of litters used are irrelevant as numbers can easily be changed
in the future.

* Dogs sold for hunting, security and breeding purposes will be regulated
irrespective of other provisions in PAWS. Sterilization of puppies and
kittens before sale is the only way to be exempt from this “breeding”
provision, making PAWS a national Mandatory Spay/Neuter Ordinance.

* PAWS will not do what its proponents claim – close down puppy mills.
Puppy mills selling wholesale are already licensed and regulated under USDA.

Of general interest:

* PAWS will regulate breeders of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters,
rabbits (or such other warm blooded animals), horses used for research, and
monkeys.

* Due to having only 100 inspectors, USDA is expected to certify inspection
programs by non-governmental organizations, which could include HSUS and
other Animal Rights groups.

* Legislation is not only made by bills passed by Congress. Laws are made
or defined by the court system via lawsuits. If PAWS passes, HSUS will
petition and sue USDA. There will be all kinds of ancillary petitions and
lawsuits, including a demand that USDA make inspection reports available to
the public (including Animal Rights extremists).

* A numbers based licensing system can’t be enforced without the American
Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, The Cat Fanciers’ Association and other
registries sharing their registration data.

* Breeding animals isn’t a crime. A breeder is already regulated just as
any other citizen --subject to local Pet Limits, Leash Laws, Animal Nuisance
and Animal Cruelty Laws.

TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION to S1139 & H2669, CALL:
202-224-2035 (Senate Agricultural Committee)
202-224-5270 (Senate Appropriations Committee)
202-225-2171 (House Agricultural Committee)

FAX: Agricultural Committee
Republican members: 202-224-1725
Democratic members: 202-224-9287
Appropriations Committee Fax Numbers:
Republican Chairman Thad Cochran: 202-224-9450
Democratic members: 202-224-7292

Go to: www.naiatrust.org/default.htm
E-MAIL AND FAX your personal representatives. Click on NAIA Trust
Legislative Corner.
Fax numbers can be found by clicking on the representative’s photo and
“Info.”

PAWS could possibly pass in a 24 hour period. Oppose it today. Your
animals will be glad you did!

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #205-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Fax: (210) 822-9038
E-mail: rpoa@texas.net
Website: www.responsiblepetowners.org