For anyone that has or wants to have pets in the city of San Antonio or the state of Texas PLEASE READ THIS !!!! Other states are also trying to pass similar laws!!! Be Informed and act now if you dont agree please.
The legislative issues that Responsible Pet Owners Association (RPOA) of Texas has been battling definitely affect breeders, but please read the email forwarded to you so you will realize that it also affects pet owners such as yourself. I've also forwarded this to organizations that may not even be in Texas but who have pet owners in Texas as customers. This affects their industry as well.
I have more time than money, so I'm doing what I can to help make more people aware. Until I came across RPOA online in a search for something entirely different, I was TOTALLY unaware of the legislative efforts right here in San Antonio. It has been alarming. The legislation I've been made aware of includes such things (for pet owners too, not just breeders):
Limits on the number of pets you're "allowed" to have (whether as an individual or a breeder)
Fees
Fines
Unannounced Inspections
FINGERPRINTING of pet owners
Restrictions on how many litters of kittens or puppies a breeder can have annually
And more...
All these things are under the guise of controlling over-population at animal shelters, but the legislation has restrictions for animals that don't even go to shelters - rodeo animals, farm animals, etc. In spite of all the evidence that legislation that affects pet owners doesn't have a signficant affect on the problems of feral cats and dogs and unwanted litters, these people are relentless. If they have their way, in the future you will ONLY be able to get a pet from a shelter. In the past you were doing the shelter a favor to take an animal. Already you pay high fees to rescue one from them! It will only get worse. Breeds will disappear as breeders fade into the past. Only the wealthy will be able to afford a pedigreed animal, IF they can find what they want.
These people target puppy and kitten mills, but rather than identifying and penalizing or closing those that are in violation - their goal is to put breeders out of business or make it financially unfeasible to have a cattery or kennel. CFA (Cat Fancier's Association) is the largest cat registry in the world and they and other sources report a decline in breeders and state that the pedigreed cat is at risk of extinction.
I know more about the cat situation since I am a CFA registered cattery for Persians. But RPOA has the details on how this will impact you as a pet owner and much more. Please read what they have to say. Their membership fee is only $15 per year. Surely it's worth that to you to have these folks battling these legislative proposals on your behalf. If you can give more time as a volunteer or more money to support the battle, I urge you to do so. Sign up to receive their email so you can stay informed. The people fighting to take our rights from us, take personal control of our animals from us - they aren't going to stop. This won't just go away and unless enough people get involved to help fight against them, they will win. Don't think it won't touch your life. It will. It's like "Big Brother" taking control of who can have an animal, how many, etc. It doesn't matter if you have a cat, a dog, a horse, whatever. As animal lovers and owners, we must stand against this before it is too late. The battle has been going on a LONG time but most people are still unaware there is a battle.
Please forward this to everyone you know who loves and/or has animals and would not want to have government control over that aspect of their life.
Thank you,
Debbie