IWCA CLUB NEWS

Addition made to the "Emergency Medical Information for Irish Wolfhounds" page: Puppy Sepsis.

     "The IWCA received a check from the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program in the amount of $1,110.72. This money will be used in our rescue, education and health programs.

     "The IWCA has 185 Pro Club Members declared for the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program. 76 of those members submitted weight circles in 2007, thus earning $2,221.44 for their participation. Half of that amount will be given to the Canine Health Foundation for use in the IWCA donor advised fund (for Irish Wolfhound health studies). The other half was given to the IWCA to be used as described above.

     "If you are signed up with the Pro Club program, please remember to send in your weight circles. If you are signed up but didn't check the box that gives credit to the IWCA as well, please do so as this will benefit our breed greatly. If you feed Purina Dog food and have not signed up for the Pro Club program, please consider doing so."

Dottie is our latest addition to the Member Announcements page.

2008 Election results posted to the Club Officers page.

Meet Jack, the latest new title holder on the member Announcements page.

NOTE: Messages from the President of the IWCA have been moved here.

The Humane Society of the United States has mounted a huge campaign to raise money to care for the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dogfighting ring. The plea comes complete with a heartbreaking picture of one of the injured dogs. (Not surprisingly, studies have shown that people donate more when shown a picture of or told a story about a single animal needing help. HSUS is very clever at fundraising.) But before you contribute, please note:

1)  There is a disclaimer in fine print at the bottom of the form which says your donation may be used for other HSUS programs and may not be used to help the dog fight victims.

2)  There has been no accounting for the nearly $20 million HSUS raised for the Katrina dogs and cats. The organization is under investigation for possible misuse of funds by the Louisiana Attorney General for their handling of that situation.

3)  HSUS has NO shelter. It is a corporate office building in Washington, DC.  It is supposedly "overseeing" the care of the dogs that were seized from Vick's house, but we don't know where the animals are, Will the shelter actually providing their care receive all the donations this campaign generates?

4)  There is no reason to believe that your contributions will go to help the dogs seized from Michael Vick or any other dogs or cats. HSUS spends most of its money on legislative efforts to make dog breeding impossible and pet ownership more difficult, more expensive, and more dangerous.

5)  HSUS claims its servers crashed from the response to their first appeal for money for these dogs, yet they are still out there beating the drum for more money, still claiming more is needed for the Vick dogs.

And if you are still considering writing that check, read the following quotes from Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS:

"I don't have a hands-on fondness for animals...To this day I don't feel bonded to any non-human animal. I like them and I pet them and I'm kind to them, but there's no special bond between me and other animals." quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 251.

"We have no problem with the extinction of domestic animals. They are creations of human selective breeding." quoted in Animal People, May, 1993.

When asked if he envisioned a future without pets: "If I had my personal view, perhaps that might take hold. In fact, I don't want to see another dog or cat born." Wayne Pacelle quoted in Bloodties: Nature, Culture and the Hunt by Ted Kerasote, 1993, p. 266.
 

Where are the millions in contributions they already receive every year? If you have money to contribute, please send it to your "local" shelter. Donations received by local shelters do help animals. The money sent to HSUS does not.

See the Legislation page.

See the new LEGISLATION PAGE for more information, including committee email addresses and sample letters.

California Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Assigned to Senate Committee - June 21, 2007

California Assembly Bill 1634, known as the California Healthy Pets Act, was assigned to the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, June 20. The bill seeks to require the mandatory spaying or neutering of dogs or cats over four months of age, unless the owner acquires an intact animal permit. It is imperative that breeders and concerned dog owners contact their Senator and the Committee Chairman to express their opposition.

URGENT:  AB 1634 will be heard by the Committee on Monday, July 9. Letters need to be sent to the Committee by 5 p.m. Monday, July 2nd to ensure that your opposition is noted for the official bill analysis.

The bill can be read at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20070207162842.pdf

The Act's origins can be found here: http://www.law.gwu.edu/News/News+Stories/2007+Animal+Law+Summit+2+and+Samantha+Scholarship.htm

DC Area Dog Fanciers Alert

Proposed amendments to the District of Columbia Official Code, known as the Animal Protection Amendment Act (B17-089), threaten the rights to own and breed dogs responsibly in the District of Columbia. It is imperative that DC area dog fanciers and AKC-affiliated dog clubs contact the DC Council to express opposition to the proposed amendments.

The proposed ordinance amendments include the following:

Mandatory spaying or neutering of all dogs and cats 6 months of age or older unless the owner possesses a breeding permit.

The breeding permit application process requires that the owner’s premises be inspected. Anyone with an animal “capable of breeding” must secure a breeding permit, even if the animal is never bred. The fee for the breeding permit is unspecified and could costs hundreds of dollars.
Any “nonprofit” organization that claims to be “concerned with humane treatment of animals” may legally enter private property and confiscate another person’s animals. Any individual who qualifies as a nonprofit organization can bring suit in a DC court and by sworn affidavit or testimony demonstrate that the seizure is necessary.

Every section of the ordinance in which animal owners are referenced is amended to insert the term “guardian.” Removing the classification of dogs as property could open the door to a host of challenges. If people do not own their dog, then what legal responsibility do they have to properly protect and care for them? Use of the term “guardian” represents a first step toward eliminating an individual’s right to own, breed and participate in events with dogs.

The ordinance establishes non-economic damages for “loss of society, companionship, comfort, protection, love, affection, and services”, subjecting veterinarians to new financial liability. The cost of veterinary services must increase to cover costs of liability claims established by the proposed amendments.

A joint hearing of the Committee on Health and Public Safety and Judiciary Committee is scheduled for June 6, 2007 in the Council Chambers on the 5th floor of the John Wilson Building , 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, beginning at 11:00 am. Dog fanciers are urged to attend this meeting to express opposition to the ordinance during the public testimony portion of the meeting. The AKC Canine Legislation Department will assist in testimony preparation for any dog fanciers wishing to address the Committee.

Those wishing to testify must contact the Committee no later than Monday June 4, 2007. Contact Paul Dionne at 202-724-8170, or via email at pdionne@dccouncil.us , and request to be placed on the witness list.

Letters in opposition to the amendment proposals will be accepted until June 13, 2007 and may be sent to:

Ms. Cynthia-Brock Smith
Secretary to the Council
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 5
Washington, DC 20004

Articles added to the Breed and Member Education page.

Judges Education page updated.

IWCA has just received a check for $1,190.90 from the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program.

See the ADOA website for ADOA LETTERS IN OPPOSITION TO AB 1634.

Statement from Purina sent to the IWCA concerning the pet food recall.