New Breeding Moratoriums Show Why Lawmakers Need to Hear Directly from Dog Owners

New Breeding Moratoriums Show Why Lawmakers Need to Hear Directly from Dog Owners

Just a few weeks ago, the Philadelphia City Council passed a three-year moratorium on all breeding in an attempt to address shelter population concerns in the city. The city is the latest in a disturbing new trend among cities and local communities, joining Los Angeles and two New Jersey townships in attempting to “solve” the complex issue of animals in shelters by targeting breeders.

This also serves as a very tangible reminder of the importance of getting involved in your local communities NOW—before these issues arise in your town. Direct, respectful communication from constituents is one of the most powerful ways to protect responsible dog ownership and the future of our sport. Lawmakers want to hear from you; after all, you have the power to re-elect them—or not. They hear from many organized interests, so it is crucial they receive communications from someone who lives, works, and votes in their district, because it stands out and usually carries more weight.

It’s easy to reach out to lawmakers. Here are a few things you can do today to protect purebred dogs and our sport in your community:

• Introduce yourself (and your club) – The first step is to let local lawmakers know who you are. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to meet lawmakers at community events and office hours designed to foster dialogue between lawmakers and their constituents. Often you can find this information on their social media pages. To further aid in these introduction efforts, you can find a sample introductory letter in the toolbox in AKC’s Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org that you can send, or use as a guideline in your introductory conversations.
• Contact lawmakers via phone or email at their office and see if you can schedule an appointment or arrange a telephone call to introduce yourself and explain your willingness to serve as a resource for any issues related to responsible dog ownership, breeding, and issues related to zoning.

The vast majority of elected officials are not dog experts. They rely on their constituents for advice. If we as enthusiasts and breeders do not share our expertise, lawmakers are forced to rely on the resources that are offered them… often by animal rights groups. Check your local community and county’s websites for contact information. If it’s not listed, you can also ask the Clerk’s office for the best way to reach out to local officials.

AKC’s Government Relations team understands that contacting lawmakers can feel intimidating, especially if you have never done it before. To make that first step easier, we have created sample letters you can personalize and send with confidence. One letter helps you introduce yourself and your dogs so that you are not reaching out for the first time in the middle of a controversy. We also offer issue-specific sample letters that address key policy topics, and that you can adapt with details about your dogs, your club, and the potential impact on your area. Visit www.akcgr.org and look for the “Sample Letters” section of the Toolbox. And if you have questions, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 919-816-3720 or email us at doglaw@akc.org.

• Invite them to shows and events – This is a great way to introduce lawmakers to the fun of our sport and the importance of supporting responsible breeders and hobbyists. Have a friendly expert from your club give them a tour—or better yet, also allow them to present a Best in Show trophy or another major award. AKC GR can help you with all aspects of this: from inviting the lawmakers, to tips on communicating, to appropriate resources and materials to provide, and more. We also have a sample letter in our Legislative Action Center designed specifically to help you invite them to your events.
• Let them know of your club’s good work in the community – This is crucial. When communicating with lawmakers, AKC GR always lets them know if there are AKC clubs in their district/city/county. When AKC has tried to reach out to cities regarding proposed measures, we have more than once heard, “Why should I listen to AKC? You’re not here trying to help dogs in our city.”

Of course, we know that’s not true, but again, if they’re not hearing from us, they’re likely only hearing from anti-breeder or animal rights activists who are demanding action and unreasonable solutions. You can help by letting your local officials know what you do in the community. If you are offering a training class or CGC certification, write your local lawmaker and let them know. Did you donate money for K9 vests or participate in the Adopt a K9 Cop Program? Let your lawmakers know and let your local media know too. This demonstrates your value to the community and also, again, shows your expertise on local dog issues.

• Volunteer at your local shelter – Not only is this a great community service, but it shows your local animal control officers that you care about these dogs and want to be a part of the solution. Often, too, as was the case in both Los Angeles and Philadelphia, local proposals are brought forward by local animal control directors and officers. By having a relationship and working with them, you may be able to better learn about these concerns and offer your expertise before a negative proposal is introduced.
• Sign up for local boards and advisory commissions – Many counties and communities have an animal advisory board or commission. Consider applying for open seats on these boards to ensure the voice of local clubs and hobbyists are heard. Often these do not demand much time, but can be a powerful opportunity to be a voice for purebred dogs.
  If there aren’t any open seats or animal boards in your area, consider other boards or commissions that deal with issues of interest to you. Involvement in your community helps to develop essential relationships with leaders who can impact your ability to breed, own, and show dogs.
• Attend or designate someone to attend regularly scheduled public meetings – Consider attending general council/board meetings as well as key committees, and taking the time to introduce yourself to the elected officials and the appropriate staff (manager, admin assistant, etc.) so that you become a known entity. They are generally approachable before and after meetings.

Organizational alerts and mass messages are useful, but they are not a substitute for a genuine personal communication from a constituent. Over time, your lawmakers and their staff will learn that you are a local resource who understands dogs, responsible breeding, and the impact that laws can have on dog owners and clubs. When dog issues come up again, your voice is more likely to be heard and your perspective sought out.

And that is critical. As we saw in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, once legislation is introduced, it can be virtually impossible to stop. It’s always better to be proactive and develop relationships with decision makers before a bad proposal is introduced. The AKC Government Relations team will continue to fight, but the greatest successes come when local dog owners, exhibitors, and handlers—as well as those who live in the community—stand up and are personally invested. And the more the better! The more who are willing to stand up, the easier it is, and the louder our voice can be on behalf of our dogs.

Special thanks to AKC GR Regional Managers Charley Hall (Mid-Atlantic/PA) and Jacob Hupp (Central Plains states) for their contributions to this article.