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.

October 7, 2007
More incremental steps by the "animal rights" extremists to stop all
breeding of animals whether you eat them, wear them or pet them... There
has been a shortage of puppies and small dogs in Denver, CO, and the North
East for some time with dogs being imported from other countries or other US
cities. Legislate ... until there are none.

RPOA has many members in the Houston area but had no idea that Breeder
Permits were even being considered there. No one buys them and they've been
a failure everywhere they passed. They are impossible to enforce with the
Internet and cell phones. In 1991, this was proposed in San Antonio by
local "animal rights" extremists and defeated. We were told the permits
wouldn't be available unless property was commercially zoned. It's now
being disguised as a Litter Permit in the proposed San Antonio ordinance
revisions. Hope you've been to the Action Alert on our website and
contacted SA city officials to oppose their ordinance provisions.
_____________________________________

(http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5192941.html)

Oct. 6, 2007, 2:58PM
Breeders now on a short leash
Houstonians who sell unaltered dogs or cats may be surprised to learn they
need a permit

By SALATHEIA BRYANT

BREEDER PERMITS
. Who needs one: Anybody who sells in the city dogs or cats that have not
been spayed or neutered.
. Since when: Became effective July 1.
. How much: $100 annual fee
. Or else: First-time offenders will get a warning with 30 days to comply.
Citation can carry a fine of $50 and $2,000.

From their well-maintained southwest Houston home, Jim and Nancy Lynch breed
and sell English springer spaniel pups. In 17 years, they've sold 45 from
six litters, for $750 each.
They play with the puppies, make sure they're healthy and have clean bedding
and keep meticulous birth records. They are particular about who gets their
pooches, sometimes turning away cash buyers.
But the Lynches and untold numbers like them are breaking city law, which
became effective July 1 and requires anyone selling cats or dogs that aren't
spayed or neutered to have a $100 annual permit.
"We're not commercial breeders," said Jim Lynch. "This is not a business for
me. It's a hobby to raise companion dogs for selective families."
But under the city's definition of commercial breeders, they are. "Yeah
they are, they just don't know it," said Bureau of Animal Regulation
and Care director Kent Robertson. "If they breed and sell for any reason,
they have to have a permit."

Combing classified ads
The city's ordinance encompasses the mom-and-pop, occasional and
professional breeder. Robertson hopes the regulation will reduce the number
of unwanted animals that continue to be problematic in Houston. The Lynches
said they would pay for the permit, but say the ordinance
doesn't fit the problem of irresponsible breeding.

"It's a tax. It's extortion," said Jim Lynch. "You're going after the wrong
person. The problem is the dogs where people don't know who the dad is."
In the three months since the ordinance went into effect, no one has applied
for the permit, according to city records.

Robertson said his bureau sent letters to veterinarian clinics informing
them of the requirement. Kennel operators and pet owners who register their
unaltered pets with the city can expect a letter as well.

As part of the enforcement, the bureau next week will go through classified
ads and contact sellers.
On any given day, ads offer Persian and Sphynx kittens, border collies,
boxers, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and Jack Russells for sale with
contact numbers using the Houston 713 area code.
Many of the breeders contacted for this story said they did not know a
permit was required. One seller, who has a city kennel permit, said he is
willing to comply with the ordinance after talking with Robertson.

Effectiveness disputed
Pat Snyder, who operates a rescue facility for Siberian huskies, does not
think the ordinance will do much to reduce the pet overpopulation. Only
responsible breeders will comply with the law, Snyder said, while those she
called "backyard breeders" will keep operating under the radar.
"It's like a thorn in the butt to a responsible breeder," she said. "To the
other people, it don't make a difference. Once in a while someone might get
caught."
Robertson said the city's 19 animal control officers will do a better job
enforcing the ordinance than critics think. Violators will first get a
warning
letter asking them to comply within 30 days. A citation can carry a fine
between $50 and $2,000.
He would like those breeders who obtain a permit to include their permit
numbers in their classified ads.
"We're not saying all breeders should be banned. They need to pay their fair
share," Robertson. "It might be a shock for folks to begin. We'll be fair
with everybody."
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