New
AKC Finds New Source to Produce Puppy "Papers" Revenue
By: Jenny Stephens, North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
Gullible: adjective: naive and easily deceived or tricked
Would you buy a Rolex watch from a sidewalk vendor for $25.00 and
actually believe that you're purchasing the identical watch that sells for
thousands of dollars at "reputable" fine jewelry stores?
When it comes to dogs, gullible consumers actually believe that
"papers" lend credence to the health and quality of the dog. Sadly,
most buyers are purchasing a false sense of security.
In reality, the source of a puppy largely determines whether or not the
"papers" accompanying the canine are suitable for framing or better
used for housebreaking and the AKC's own website inasmuch says so.
"There is a widely held belief that "AKC" or "AKC papers" guarantee
the quality of a dog. This is not the case.
AKC is a registry body.
A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known
sire and dam, born on a known date.
It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.
Quality in the sense of "show quality" is determined by many factors
including the dog's health, physical condition, ability to move and
appearance. Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce
animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described
in the breed standard.
Many people breed their dogs with no concern for the qualitative
demands of the breed standard. When this occurs repeatedly over
several generations, the animals, while still purebred, can be of
extremely low quality."
http://www.akc.org/reg/about.cfm
The American Kennel Club derives millions of dollars each year from
the sale of "papers" and so, too, do several other quasi-registries
including the ACA and APRI. Unless the dog being purchased comes
from a long line of champions and the buyer has a desire to show or
breed, the majority of puppy "paper" purchases are largely a waste of
money on a meaningless piece of processed tree pulp.
For years advocates have maintained that if "reputable" breeders
REALLY cared about the health and welfare of their respective breeds
they would stand up to the AKC's attempt to push "papers" and say:
ENOUGH. Essentially, they would publicly acknowledge that the sale of
"papers" is a racket used for one purpose and one purpose only: to
produce revenue.
Were this to happen, "reputable" breeders could corner the market on
purebreds and essentially help put large scale commercial breeding
kennels, along with pet shops, out of business. Too bad they don't.
So intent is the AKC to make money from commercial breeding that they
have, historically and to this day, opposed, refuted and/or contested
practically every measure created that would bolster state and federal
regulations intended to improve the health and welfare conditions for
breeder dogs in large scale kennels... aka: puppy mills.
As we all know, it's impossible to "unring" a bell. Such is the case with
the Coton de Tulear. Currently classified as a rare breed, this small
fluffy white dog stands to be exploited by the AKC if, at the behest of
certain breeders, the behemoth registry "recognizes" the Coton.
The primary Coton de Tulear club in the United States, the ACC, is
nauseated by the thought of AKC recognition. Why? Because they
know that once this happens the floodgates will open and commercial
breeding kennels across the country will be producing the Coton in
staggering numbers. Pet shops will carry Cotons. Mini-Cotons will
appear as will Coton-Poos, Shih-Cotons and just about any other
conceivable variety of mixed mating. The Coton will appear on Craig's
List. The only thing worse than the AKC recognizing the Coton would
be Disney films producing a flick featuring the breed!
As an advocate for dogs trapped in puppy mills and for canines sitting
in shelters and rescues awaiting future homes, I struggled with this
issue.
Doing nothing will neither protect the Coton de Tulear or prevent
future breeding of these dogs.
That said, I'd rather help expose the AKC for its endeavors to exploit a
small little white dog for the purpose of producing revenue and to
possibly help shelters and rescues from being inundated with the
breed once those who have purchased a readily available Coton
decide "this isn't the dog for me" and dumps them... a tragic scene
played over and over again with too many of the "recognized" breeds.
The ACC has been in contact with the AKC. According to club
president, Hailey Parker, the AKC has dodged their questions, ignored
their concerns, removed their contact information from the AKC
website and intends to move toward selecting an AKC Parent Club in
mid April - the first step toward acquiring "recognition."
Seems like strange behavior for a registry who purports to have the
best interest of dogs at heart but would appear to be typical for a club
known to produce revenue at the expense of the health and welfare of
dogs trapped in mills.
To help voice your opinion that AKC should NOT recognize the Coton
and possibly prevent the exploitation of yet ANOTHER breed, please
sign the ACC petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/95/Protect-the-rare-breed-Coton-de-Tule
ar/
At a minimum, you will send the AKC a strong message: advocates are
sick and tired of cleaning up the mess that occurs when the club
"recognizes" a breed. Let them know that you're on to their scam of
selling meaningless papers to uninformed consumers and that to
exploit yet ANOTHER breed for the purpose of lining their pockets is
simply despicable.
To read the full history of what has happened to the Coton de Tulear,
visit the ACC homepage:
http://www.americancotonclub.com/
Thank you.
PLEASE CROSS POST!!!
Give Hope to the Mill Dogs
BOYCOTT STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES
North Penn Puppy Mill Watch
Visit Us Online: nppmwatch.com
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