Two bills proposed in Iowa that would have further regulated breeders have been significantly amended in committee.
The original language has been deleted in its entirety and replaced with a proposal for a new “Quality Assurance Council”. This new council will be charged with reviewing applications from commercial breeders “who seek to receive a quality assurance certificate denoting the breeder as one of the leading commercial breeders” in Iowa. To qualify, the breeder must demonstrate “a long history of caring for dogs or cats in a manner than consistently exceeds the standards of care” required by both current state laws and the federal Animal Welfare Act.
The new council would include the following individuals appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture:
- A person “who has an interest in the welfare of dogs and cats”,
- A member appointed by the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals, and
- A member appointed by the Iowa Pet Breeders Association.
It is very unclear exactly how council membership would be determined or how the measure would be implemented. AKC believes such a council should include multiple experts on animal husbandry and be representative of all who are impacted and licensed under the law, including representatives of kennel clubs and smaller-scale licensees as well as larger-scale breeders.
AKC will continue to provide more information on this legislation and its status as it becomes available.
We thank all the breeders, club members, and fanciers who have continued to work tirelessly to protect Iowa dogs and the rights of responsible breeders and owners in Iowa.
Two bills proposed in Iowa that would have further regulated breeders have been significantly amended in committee.