A2324, which would require anyone who sells or transfers ten or more animals per year to be licensed and regulated by their municipality, continues to threaten responsible breeding programs in New Jersey. The bill could be scheduled for a vote by the Assembly at any time, and though many fanciers have contacted their representatives in opposition to the measure, more help is needed. If you have not already done so, please call, write, fax or e-mail your Assemblyman as soon as possible and urge him or her to vote “No” on AB2324. The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs is also encouraging dog owners to contact Assembly Speaker Albio Spires and ask that he not place the bill on the calendar for consideration. Please see our May Legislative Alert below for additional information.
The Honorable Albio Sires
Speaker, New Jersey State Assembly
State House Box 098
Trenton, NJ 08625-0098
New Jersey Becomes Most Recent State to Face Breeder Licensing
[May 10th, 2004]
AKC and New Jersey fanciers are extremely concerned about A2324, a bill that originally pertained to overcrowding of animals in kennels and pet shops. As amended by the Assembly Agriculture Committee late last week, however, A2324 now requires any individual who sells ten or more animals per year to register with their municipality. Cities and counties will be authorized to charge a fee for the registration and to establish regulations for sellers.
A2324 will be a bureaucratic nightmare for municipal governments whose staff and budgets are already stretched to the limit. Paperwork, accounting, and enforcement responsibilities will mean time and tax dollars being diverted from other critical services. A2324 will further punish responsible breeders, those who work the hardest to provide healthy, well-socialized puppies to pet buyers. These caring individuals should not be forced to comply with new laws while existing animal care and control laws go unenforced against irresponsible owners.
Public education campaigns to teach people about responsible dog ownership, in conjunction with strong enforcement of existing statutes, are better ways to address animal population concerns. A2324 is misguided and must be stopped!
What You Can Do:
- Contact your Assemblymember TODAY. Urge him or her to oppose A2324! (To find your legislator's contact information, visit http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp.
- Contact the sponsor of the bill and tell him New Jersey dog owners oppose A2324.
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew
State House Box 098
Trenton, NJ 08625-0098
Phone: 609-465-0700
Email: asmvandrew@njleg.org
- Share this information with fellow dog owners in New Jersey.
For more information, contact:
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AKC Canine Legislation Dept. |
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NJ Federation of Dog Clubs
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A2324, which would require anyone who sells or transfers ten or more animals
per year to be…