CFODC ANNUAL MEETING TONIGHT

CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF DOG CLUBS, INC.
Agenda of Annual Meeting of Member Clubs and Individual Members


In accordance with Article II, Section 1 of its Bylaws, this is the Annual Meeting of Member Clubs and Individual Members of California Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc.  This meeting is being held on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 7:30 PM on the show grounds of the Simi Valley Kennel Club, Inc., Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA  93105. 
Official notice of this meeting was sent electronically to all members on July 21, 2016.

Fire Season

You all know that fire season in California started early this year. Judy Coffman, our Vice President, monitors wildfires and contacts local Incident Command staff for each fire that expands beyond a local brush fire to offer support for animal evacuations – usually animal food or shelter supplies. So far this year we haven’t needed to dispatch either of CFODC’s disaster response trailers, but we have provided animal food for evacuees of the Topanga-Calabasas and Erskine Fires and have provided requested supplies for the Sand and Blue Cut Fires. The Blue Cut Fire, currently active in San Bernardino County, has burned almost 26,000 acres and is 4% contained (by comparison, the Clayton Fire in Lake County has burned 4,000 acres and is 50% contained).

We appreciate all of our members. Some of our members have also made additional donations beyond their basic membership dues. I’d like to single out Contra Costa County Kennel Club, Bulldog Club of Northern California, Irish Terrier Club of Northern California, Ed & Mary-Jean Odron, Schipperke Club of Southern California, Tehachapi Mountain Dog Fanciers, and Valerie J. Vihlen Schluter for their generosity this year (Santa Maria Kennel Club also has a long history of supporting CFODC through additional donations).

The fact is we are going to deplete our Disaster Relief Fund this year. Our policy is to meet the current needs of animals evacuated in disasters; we will not hold back assistance in anticipation of future needs from future fires. Consequently, if you or your club has not joined CFODC, please consider joining and making an additional donation to support our disaster relief activities. If you know of other fanciers and clubs who haven’t joined CFODC, please encourage them to join, too. I wish I had the nerve to ask you for $19.00 a month in exchange for a picture of a pitiful looking dog. We have a much different appeal, donate to help animals and their owners in California and show the public that the fancy cares.

Again, thanks for your support.

Best regards,

Chuck Bridges
President
California Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc.

Déjà Vu Chow Chows
AKC Breeders of Merit
P. O. Box 355
Tracy, CA 95378-0355
(209) 835-6530 - Home
(209) 815-3613 - Mobile

California Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

SB 898 - Make nonprofit animal blood banks exempt from sales tax.

SB 898- Make nonprofit animal blood banks exempt from sales tax

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CROSS-POST THIS MESSAGE

 

SB 898 was drafted to clarify and enumerate the sales tax exemption for the sale of animal blood, blood products, and derivatives by a licensed nonprofit animal blood bank.  The clarification was necessary as sales tax audit by California's State Board of Equalization of Hemopet, a nonprofit animal blood bank established in 1991 by Jean Dodds, DVM, had resulted in an assessment in excess of $100,000.  SB 898 as drafted would have specifically exempted the sale of animal blood and related products from sales tax and directed the BOE to cancel its assessment.  Here's a link to information on the bill.

 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_898&sess=CUR&house=B&author=nguyen_<nguyen>

 

SB 898 was passed unanimously by the California Senate.  Unfortunately, the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation passed the bill with amendments that would allow the BOE to collect the prior sales taxes from Hemopet, essentially putting it out of business.  The next stop is the Assembly Committee on Appropriations where SB 898 is scheduled to heard on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

 

Here's what I'm asking you to do:

 

1.  Contact the members of the Committee on Appropriations to encourage them to pass an additional amendment protecting nonprofit animal blood banks from the levy of past sales and use taxes.

 

Assembly Committee on Appropriations

 

Lorena S. Gonzalez (Chair)

D-80

T:  (916) 319-2080

F:  (916) 319-2180

 

Frank Bigelow (Vice Chair)

R-05

T:  (916) 319-2005

F:  (916) 319-2105

 

Richard Bloom

D-50

T:  (916) 319-2050

F:  (916) 319-2150

 

Susan A. Bonilla

D-14

T:  (916) 319-2014

F:  (916) 319-2114

 

Rob Bonta

D-18

T:  (916) 319-2018

F:  (916) 319-2118

 

Ian C. Calderon

D-57

T:  (916) 319-2057

F:  (916) 319-2157

 

Ling Ling Chang

R-55

T:  (916) 319-2055

F:  (916) 319-2155

 

Tom Daly

D-69

T:  (916) 319-2069

F:  (916) 319-2169

 

Susan Talamantes Eggman

D-13

T:  (916) 319-2013

F:  (916) 319-2113

 

James Gallagher

R-03

T:  (916) 319-2003

F:  (916) 319-2103

 

Eduardo Garcia

D-56

T:  (916) 319-2056

F:  (916) 319-2156

 

Chris R. Holden

D-41

T:  (916) 319-2041

F:  (916) 319-2141

 

Brian W. Jones

R-71

T:  (916) 319-2071

F:  (916) 319-2171

 

Jay Obernolte

R-33

T:  (916) 319-2033

F:  (916) 319-2133

 

Bill Quirk

D-20

T:  (916) 319-2020

F:  (916) 319-2120

 

Miguel Santiago

D-53

T:  (916) 319-2053

F:  (916) 319-2153

 

Donald P. Wagner

R-68

T:  (916) 319-2068

F:  (916) 319-2168

 

Shirley N. Weber

D-79

T:  (916) 319-2079

F:  (916) 319-2179

 

Jim Wood

D-02

T:  (916) 319-2002

F:  (916) 319-2102

 

Assembly Appropriations Committee

Attn:  Luke Reidenbach, Senior Consultant

T:  (916) 319-2081

F:  (916) 319-2181

 

2.  Contact the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation:

 

Sebastian Ridley-Thomas

D-54

T:  (916) 319-2054

F:  (916) 319-2154

 

3.  Jean Dodds and her husband Charles Berman plan to call on Assemblymembers in Sacramento on Monday, August 1, 2016.  If you're available, join them.

 

Resources

 

I've attached copies of letters provided by Hemopet, AKC, and CFODC for your reference.

 

For additional information, please contact Charles Berman at charlesberman@hemopet.org .

 

Thank you all for your help!

 

Best regards,

 

Chuck Bridges

President

California Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc.

 

Déjà Vu Chow Chows

AKC Breeders of Merit

P. O. Box 355

Tracy, CA  95378-0355

(209) 835-6530 - Home

(209) 815-3613 - Mobile

 

California Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

 

Colton MSN/BSL hearing tonight

Faxed to 909-370-5192

City of Colton

650 N. La Cadena Dr.

Colton, CA 92324

April 18, 2016

Dear Mayor DeLaRosa and City Council members,

The California Federation of Dog Clubs is an association of thousands of dog clubs and owners across the State of California. Formed in 1990, the CFoDC works tirelessly to promote animal welfare, educate the public regarding responsible animal ownership, and protect the rights of responsible animal owners. We administer a disaster relief fund, conduct breed ID workshops for shelter personnel, provide educational information on responsible pet ownership, and man a toll-free assistance line for animal owners who need advice regarding pet training and behavioral issues. We support animal legislation with proven positive benefits to society.

The CFODC is OPPOSED to the mandated sterilization of pets, regardless of exemptions. Some of the reasons for our opposition include:

The ASPCA, the No Kill Advocacy Center, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Kennel Club and many other animal welfare groups are OPPOSED to mandatory sterilization because it creates more problems than it solves.

Sterilization laws increase the numbers of dogs entering our shelters. The Downtown Dog Rescue Project in South LA documented that owners choose to surrender their dogs to shelters primarily due to the costs of the surgical procedure. This is particularly true for low and middle-income working families and seniors. A 2014 PetSmart Charities survey found that 30% of owners with intact pets said that the cost of spay/neuter was the primary reason for surrendering their pet to a shelter.

Coercive sterilization laws and excessive animal-related fees result in increased shelter intakes and deaths anywhere they are tried. Fewer people will reclaim their pets due to high costs. Los Angeles has seen a steep rise in shelter intakes since implementing its own mandatory spay/neuter law. So has Memphis, Tennessee.

Coercive sterilization laws discourage dog owners from licensing their dogs to avoid compliance. After implementing its own spay/neuter law, LA County saw an 11% drop in licensing compliance while licensing in the rest of the state increased by 37%.

Mandatory sterilization is costly to enforce.

Revenues will drop, as owners will increasingly avoid licensing and forced surgery on their pets. There will be even LESS money for the needed enforcement.

Oppressive forced sterilization laws have resulted in increased incidence of RABIES in　some areas, as owners who avoid licensing may also fail to vaccinate for rabies. This creates a dire risk to human health. Fort Worth TX repealed their mandatory spay-neuter law due to increased cases of rabies exposure.

Dogs are being smuggled in by the thousands now, from Mexico and other countries, to meet the demand for pets.　Mandatory sterilization creates a black market for dogs and puppies. Black market pets bring rabies and parasites along with them.

Feral cats comprise the majority of shelter intakes, and sterilization mandates do not help feral cats. The only result is that Good Samaritans who care for feral cats are punished. Existing leash and confinement laws should be enforced. Sterilization does NOT prevent roaming.

There is no evidence to support the assertion that shelter intakes are caused by animals bred locally. Most puppies are sold outside of the local area where they are born.

Over 80% of owned dogs and 93% of owned cats are voluntarily sterilized in the US today, making coercive sterilization mandates unnecessary.

Mandated surgery disproportionately affects seniors and low-income families, making pet ownership financially burdensome for these groups.

And finally, forced sterilization of our pets raises direct animal welfare issues. Dogs neutered or spayed when immature have a greatly increased risk of health problems, most notably orthopedic disorders such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, but also life-threatening cancers including osteosarcoma, hemagiosarcoma, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, mast cell tumors, and lymphosarcoma. In addition, spay/neuter particularly when done at an early age predisposes dogs to hypothyroidism, vaccine reactions and infectious disease. Contrary to popular belief, recent studies show that sterilization increases the risk of aggressive behavior in dogs. Certainly, as a matter of animal welfare, the decision to sterilize our dogs should be left up to dog owners in consultation with their veterinarians.

In addition to the troublesome mandatory pediatric spay/neuter provisions, we note that you target a specific breed type for the imposition of certain restrictions and penalties. We OPPOSE breed-specific legislation. Breed-specific legislation is a dismal failure everywhere and is being repealed in many locales across the nation. It is not only unfair, it is ineffective as a problem-solving measure.

The CFODC is OPPOSED to measures which impose numeric pet limits on households. Such limit laws result in a greater number of animals relinquished to shelters, with fewer households allowed to provide shelter pets with much needed homes.

　

We urge you to REJECT any mandatory sterilization ordinance and instead focus on measures proven to work over the past thirty years….aggressive public education campaigns, trap/neuter and release programs for feral cats, and low-cost voluntary sterilization clinics.

Sincerely yours,

　

　

Geneva Coats, R.N.

Secretary, California Federation of Dog Clubs

　

cc: R DeLaRosa, D. Toro, S. Zamorra Jorrin, F. Navarro, L. Gonzales, D. Bennett, I. Suchil

Kern County Animal Control thanks CFODC

Truckee Adopts Law Prohibiting Sale of Cats and Dogs in Pet Stores

TRUCKEE, Calif. — The town of Truckee this week adopted an ordinance that prohibits the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores. Truckee Town Council approved the new law at its Feb. 9 meeting, as part of the consent calendar.

More here:

http://www.sierrasun.com/news/20583243-113/truckee-adopts-law-prohibiting-sale-of-cats-dogs

San Diego-Animal Control or Out of Control?

San Diego Humane Society and SPCA has law enforcement powers and huge war chest

In addition to having a warm and fuzzy public relations profile, The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA has a few items on its non-profit resume that comes as a surprise to most people.

The Humane Society and SPCA has a large, and growing, state-authorized law enforcement arm and more than $54 million sitting in cash reserves despite, or due to, its non-profit designation. The most recent publicly reported financial statements showed $65 million in income for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013.

As for enforcement, powers, don’t blink when you see the badges and uniform for Humane Society enforcement personnel could pass quite easily as municipal police officers. Aside from the official looking uniforms, officers carry pepper spray and stun guns. They also have official arrest powers pursuant to state law.

Make no mistake, the Humane Law Enforcement Department represents a significant revenue generating operation, and is considered a major, although sub rosa, or beneath the surface, part of the Humane Society business structure.

More here:

http://escondidograpevine.com/2015/09/10/demo-post-17/

San Marcos Breeder Regulations

The AKC Government Relations team has just become aware that the San Marcos City Council will consider a proposed ordinance which will define hobby breeders, limiting them to only three “breeding dogs, cats and/or rabbits.” It is unclear how a breeding dog, cat or rabbit would be identified and what would happen to resident breeders over that limit.
The measure also attempts to restrict the sales of pets from legal, licensed and regulated pet sellers. All breeders and pet owners should be concerned about government attempts to limit individuals’ choice of pets and attempts to limit the sale of purpose-bred puppies. 
The AKC urges responsible dog owners and breeders to attend the meeting and oppose this burdensome and ineffective ordinance.
San Marcos City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
Hobby Breeder Definition is Vague and Problematic
The current draft defines a hobby breeder as “any small-scale breeder who owns three (3) or fewer breeding dogs, cats or rabbits, and who sells, provides or supplies the offspring for retail or wholesale.” This definition is unclear and serves to create problems for San Marcos residnets who own and breed dogs. The draft ordinance restricts residents to three “breeding dogs, cats or rabbits.” This term is unclear. Does this mean dams that have whelped a litter? Males that have sired a litter? Does this mean any intact dogs?  How are dogs too old or too young to be used for breeding counted? Ideal breeding ages can vary by breed. What happens if a person who breeds only rarely exceeds three breeding dogs? City code permits the issuance of kennel license for up to seven (7) dogs, so how are those individuals impacted?
Section 6.32.060 (a) exempts dogs, cats and/or rabbits sold directly from the premises upon which they are born and reared. While most small breeder’s animals are born and reared on their own premises, there are exceptions. Breeders occasionally receive a puppy in lieu of a stud fee or in the case of an emergency cesarean section, offspring might not be born on the owner’s property.
This ordinance was originally proposed to restrict sales of pets at retail pet shops. The measure restricts the actions of those who meet the criteria of a “retail pet store” which requires a business to conduct retail sales and be open to the public. Hobby breeders would not meet this criterion and further, breeders who sell at wholesale to a retail pet store are already regulated by federal law. This renders the hobby breeder definition and the exemption in Section 6.32.060 (a) superfluous and problematic.
As is acknowledged in the findings of this ordinance, federal law regulates those who sell at wholesale and even those who ship animals to new pet owners who have not seen the animals in person. California state law further regulates those who qualify as breeders under the Polanco-Lockyer Pet Breeder Warranty Act. California, under the Lockyer-Polanco-Farr Pet Protection Act, has one of the strongest pet consumer protection laws in the country. This level of additional regulation at the local level is unnecessary.
In our view, compliance with existing nuisance, sanitation, zoning and animal control and welfare laws is sufficient for small breeders. If they are not creating a nuisance for their neighbors and are obeying the law, there is no need for narrow definitions and government involvement.
Local responsible breeders are assets to their communities. These breeders make serious commitments to their animals by raising healthy, well cared-for dogs and by working to ensure that puppies are placed with responsible owners. They are in a unique position to support new pet owners and exemplify responsible animal ownership. Responsible dog breeders and owners are models for their communities and should not be penalized by being forced to comply with burdensome regulations.
Arbitrary Restrictions on Pet Sales Harm Pet Owners and the Community
The American Kennel Club believes that an important part of ensuring the success of a pet with a new owner is to ensure that it is an appropriate fit with the owner’s lifestyle. Treasured pets may be obtained from a variety of sources, including breeders, pet stores, rescues, and local shelters.
If the proposed ordinance restricting pet sales is adopted, families in San Marcos will lose an important source for choosing a pet that is the best fit for their lifestyle and circumstances.
Unfortunately, many communities lack sufficient local breeders to meet the demand for the specific pets desired by local residents. Those seeking a puppy that is a specific breed from a professional breeder subject to USDA or state animal welfare standards, or one that is covered by California consumer protection laws, will likely be forced to purchase a puppy elsewhere, or to obtain a pet of unknown origin and health history or status.
When consumers cannot acquire a pet that is an appropriate fit for their lifestyle, that animal is more likely to end up in the shelter system. A better solution is to ensure that consumers are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership and have access to a variety of pets so that they can make educated choices.
The proposal to ban the sale of pets from known, regulated and inspected sources, and to allow only the sale/adoption of pets from unknown, unregulated and uninspected sources, does the exact opposite of its purported intent: It removes available consumer protections for new pet owners and potentially increases public health risks for the entire community. 
What You Can Do

• Attend the San Marcos City Council meeting on January 26, 2016 and ask the mayor and city council members to oppose this ordinance.
• Contact the members of the San Marcos City Council by email or phone prior to the meeting and ask them to oppose this ordinance.

AKC Resources:
AKC Position Statement: Canine Population Issues
Issue Analysis: The Value of Responsible Dog Breeders
AKC Position Statement: Breeding Restrictions
AKC Position Statement: Responsible Breeding Practices
Responsible Breeding Practices Issue Brief
San Marcos City Council
Mayor Jim Desmond
jdesmond@san-marcos.net
(760) 402-0448 Phone
(760) 744-9058 Fax
Vice-Mayor Rebecca Jones
rjones@san-marcos.net
(760) 744-1050 Phone
(760) 744-9058 Fax
Councilman Chris Orlando
corlando@san-marcos.net
(760) 744-1050 Ext. 3154
(760) 744-9058 Fax
Councilwoman Kristal Jabara
kjabara@san-marcos.net
(760) 744-1050 Phone
(760) 744-9058 Fax
Councilwoman Sharon Jenkins
sjenkins@san-marcos.net
(760) 744-1050 Phone
(760) 744-9058 Fax
For more information please contact the AKC Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.