Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
41% of their money goes to marketing, advertising and fundraising. NOT to animals.
31% of their money goes to salaries, compensation and benefits. NOT to animals.
They have 636 employees, with 50 of them being lawyers.
They recently put $11 million into their executive pension fund.
NOT insults, facts. But if you want to waste your money lining the pockets of an organization whose CEO does not like animals at all, then go right ahead.
But don't do that, then turn around and berate an organization that does NOT accept donated money to pad their retirements. I can also guarantee that there is not one person at the AKC that does not love dogs. The AKC hires from its ranks, and those ranks are passionate about dogs.
Thank you for your post I agree with you about the humane society on this issue. I would like to ask how you feel about the concerns raised against breeders and purebred dog organizations that they take potential homes away from homeless shelter dogs and that breeding for looks over health has destroyed some well known dog breeds?
Last edited by vanguardisle; 03-03-2015 at 10:24 AM..
Thank you for your post again. I found this part of the article about the American Kennel Club on this issue interesting
"The bill would not apply to dogs being bred or kept as hunting dogs or show dogs and would only apply to breeders with 10 or more breeding females on the premises.
But the AKC has said it is unfair to regulate breeders more stringently than other dog owners, and it has objected to any state inspection of facilities.''
The AKC does not seem to understand that owners of a puppy mill should be treated differently from other dog owners because they are not keeping dogs as pets, but as property used for profit.
Because the AKC understands that it's a slippery slope. And they are correct - the law should NOT treat anyone differently.
Don't blame the AKC in all this. The AKC is only one registry, and puppy mills use made up ones to lend legitimacy to their dogs.
If you want to blame someone - blame the idiots that buy from pet shops. Or better yet, the complete morons that KNOW it's a puppy mill, but buy a puppy from there anyway, thinking they are "saving" that dog. Guess what? They just put money into the puppy millers pocket, and gave them more incentive to breed more dogs. If there was no market for their dogs, puppy millers would go away.
But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. If you love a certain breed, then support responsible breeders. And they are the ones showing in AKC.
41% of their money goes to marketing, advertising and fundraising. NOT to animals.
31% of their money goes to salaries, compensation and benefits. NOT to animals.
They have 636 employees, with 50 of them being lawyers.
They recently put $11 million into their executive pension fund.
NOT insults, facts. But if you want to waste your money lining the pockets of an organization whose CEO does not like animals at all, then go right ahead.
But don't do that, then turn around and berate an organization that does NOT accept donated money to pad their retirements. I can also guarantee that there is not one person at the AKC that does not love dogs. The AKC hires from its ranks, and those ranks are passionate about dogs.
I actually said nothing about AKC, you can direct that to someone else. I adopted my two cats from the Humane Society & will continue to do so. I'm not going to pay thousands of dollars for a "pure" animal just so I can keep up with the Jones' like others do.
Thank you for your post I agree with you about the humane society on this issue. I would like to ask how you feel about the concerns raised against breeders and purebred dog organizations that they take potential homes away from homeless shelter dogs and that breeding for looks over health has destroyed some well known dog breeds?
I disagree that breeders take away from potential homes. First of all, most dogs in shelters are NOT cute puppies that were abandoned because of over supply. Most dogs in shelters are adolescent dogs that have behavior problems that their owners were too lazy to deal with. Or older dogs who were taken to a shelter because their owner put (fill in the blank - new boyfriend, moving and can't take dog, etc) over the dog.
As for health issues, you have to understand again how the AKC is run. They are an registry, made up of breed clubs. Don't like how German Shepherds look in the rear (which I agree with) - blame the breed club. They wrote the standard and turn a blind eye to poorly bred dogs. One such breed that is mentioned is the Pug - which is the breed that I own. There are a LOT of poorly bred dogs out there, with horrible health issues. BUT, many of those issues have to do with them being TOO FAT. Pug can't breathe? Chances are they are grossly obese. That's not the AKC's fault. I know many pug breeders. They health test, and have dogs that live far longer than the backyard bred Pugs for sale on craigslist. I just lost my 16 year old Pug, whose parents were both breed champions. He was healthy, fit and active his entire life, and earned many agility and obedience titles, showing until he was 10 years old.
and that breeding for looks over health has destroyed some well known dog breeds?
I know this question was for someone else, but I'll answer with my opinion.
I agree that breeding for looks over health is wrong. But the goal of the AKC and the breed parent clubs who set the standards is the most healthy dogs who can perform the task the dog was bred to do. Every parent club focuses on the health of the dog and the longevity of the breed.
Contrary to popular belief, AKC conformation shows are not "beauty contests". They are to judge the best breeding stock based on the function of the specific dog and the breed standard.
I agree that there are breeds that have parts of their standard that seem to not make sense, but I encourage anyone to read up on that standard and understand why they are being bred that way.
I have been involved in conformation dog shows for a decade, and have never met anyone who didn't love each and everyone of their dogs, and make breeding selections based purely on improving the breed. These are not puppy millers, at all. No conformation breeder would ever even think of selling a dog in a store, or over the internet without an in depth home check. Most I know won't even breed a litter until they have homes alrady lined up for all of the puppies.
Dogs are not just companion animals. They serve functions and have jobs. Their diversity in appearance and function is wonderful. It would be a travesty if we lost that.
(HSUS is a political organization. Period. Local Humane Societies are some of the most fantastic orgs out there. Most people do not realize that there is NO relationship betwen the HSUS and the local Humane Societies.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by vanguardisle
I would like to ask how you feel about the concerns raised against breeders and purebred dog organizations that they take potential homes away from homeless shelter dogs
Do you also feel that people who have their own children are taking homes away from orphans?
I actually said nothing about AKC, you can direct that to someone else. I adopted my two cats from the Humane Society & will continue to do so. I'm not going to pay thousands of dollars for a "pure" animal just so I can keep up with the Jones' like others do.
That's great that you adopted your cats from your humane society, but The HSUS should not be confused with someone's local humane society. The HSUS does not even operate any animal shelters.
It is very fashionable now to "adopt" mixed breed dogs from animal rescue groups that sell.. oops, adopt out the dogs/cats, etc for hundreds of dollars, while also collecting hundreds more dollors that are donated because they are a "rescue group." Someone has to be breeding those rescue dogs.. and its not AKC breeders doing it .. yes, I realize there are breed specific rescue groups.. thats why its almost impossible to find a purebred dog at the pound, those groups snatch the dogs up in a hurry. I wanted a poodle... and a local rescue group had one from the pound.. ten years old and I could "adopt" her for $500....
And I use to own racing greyhounds and while I never raised them myself, most of the farmers and trainers I dealt with, and the people employed at the local greyhound race track were good, honest people.. not above selling me the slowest dog on the farm, but that was business, not anything personal..lol.
I disagree that breeders take away from potential homes. First of all, most dogs in shelters are NOT cute puppies that were abandoned because of over supply. Most dogs in shelters are adolescent dogs that have behavior problems that their owners were too lazy to deal with. Or older dogs who were taken to a shelter because their owner put (fill in the blank - new boyfriend, moving and can't take dog, etc) over the dog.
I disagree with the broad generalization. The shelter where I volunteer adopted out over 900 puppies last year. I don't think there was an ugly one in the bunch! They also adopted out over 800 adult dogs. There were a few with issues, but they were in the minority. We gave them extra care, attention and training to help them find homes.
As another poster pointed out, don't confuse HSUS (or even ASPCA) with your local shelters and rescue groups, many of which operate solely on donations.
I actually said nothing about AKC, you can direct that to someone else. I adopted my two cats from the Humane Society & will continue to do so. I'm not going to pay thousands of dollars for a "pure" animal just so I can keep up with the Jones' like others do.
Good for you. And I'm glad to enlighten you on the difference between the HSUS and your local Humane Society.
I disagree with the broad generalization. The shelter where I volunteer adopted out over 900 puppies last year. I don't think there was an ugly one in the bunch! They also adopted out over 800 adult dogs. There were a few with issues, but they were in the minority. We gave them extra care, attention and training to help them find homes.
As another poster pointed out, don't confuse HSUS (or even ASPCA) with your local shelters and rescue groups, many of which operate solely on donations.
How many adult dogs were turned in versus those adopted out? I'm pretty sure almost all puppies find homes, but most adult dogs, sadly, do not.
And the reason those adult dogs were adopted out is most likely because they had few issues. Also, notice I didn't say they actually had behavior problems. I said they were turned in because of behavior problems - very different issues. Some people consider lack of housebreaking a behavior issue, when it fact they just can't be bothered to pay attention to their dog.
I wish there was a way to find out who gets another dog after turning in one to a shelter. Those people are the true problem.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
