Nebraska: Urge Committee To Oppose LB 893 – Limits On Pet Choice Hearing 2/20

On Tuesday, the Agriculture Committee of the Nebraska Legislature will consider Legislative Bill 893, which will prohibit pet retailers from selling pet animals (defined as dogs or cats under 15 months of age) unless the animals were obtained from an animal control facility, animal shelter, or animal rescue.

The Nebraska Legislature is unique as it only has one chamber (a Senate), so there are very limited opportunities to comment.  Nebraska residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee prior to the February 20 hearing, and ask them to not allow Legislative Bill 893 to advance as written.  Scroll down for contact and hearing information.  

Talking Points Against LB 893:

• LB 893 harms responsible pet breeders and retailers who are regulated under federal and/or state laws, while encouraging the sale of pets that come from unlicensed and unregulated sources that are not subject to federal animal welfare or Nebraska consumer protection laws.
• LB 893 will ban the sale of pets from known, regulated and inspected sources, and restrict pet shops to only sell pets from unregulated and uninspected sources (i.e., shelters, rescues, and other similar organizations).
• LB 893 will dramatically reduce the average person’s access and ability to choose a pet with the predictable type, mandated care, and substantiated health background that come with purebred pets from regulated sources.  Individuals who lack the resources or do not have access to private hobby breeders will be the most directly impacted.
• LB 893 does not require shelters or rescues to supply pet shops with dogs to sell. A lack of supply will prove economically disastrous for these businesses and the people who are employed by them.
• Fewer than 4 percent of pets purchased in the US come from pet shops. These laws limit choice and will do little to address any issues associated with substandard breeders.

For additional talking points, read AKC’s position statement on Pet Choice, and the article Why Pet Shop Laws Affect You

What You Can Do:

• Attend the hearing on February 20 and express your concerns with Legislative Bill 893 as introduced:Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee Hearing
  Nebraska State Capitol, Room 2102
  Tuesday, February 20, 2018
  1:30 pm
• Contact the Agriculture Committee and express your concerns with Legislative Bill 893 as introduced:Lydia Brasch, Chair(402) 471-2728
  lbrasch@leg.ne.govSen. Joni Albrecht 
  (402) 471-2716
  jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov

  Sen. Carol Blood
  (402) 471-2627
  cblood@leg.ne.gov

  Sen. Ernie Chambers
  (402) 471-2612

  Sen. Steve Halloran
  (402) 471-2712
  shalloran@leg.ne.gov

  Sen. Bob Krist
  (402) 471-2718
  bkrist@leg.ne.gov

  Sen. John Lowe
  (402) 471-2726
  jlowe@leg.ne.gov

  Sen. Theresa Thibodeau
  (402) 471-2714
  tthibodeau@leg.ne.gov

For more information on this bill, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.