Penny's Aunt
01-12-2001, 12:02 PM
This is from Kimberly Buchanan in Belgian Rescue/CA:
"A United States Department of Agriculture's press release, dated January 2, 2001, announced a major change that will affect rescue groups and humane societies everywhere.
I'll do my best to explain.
The Animal Welfare Act governs a large group of animals in the United States. Regulated animals include dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits, exotics, zoos, circus animals, animals shipped on airlines, research animals, etc. It is also the law that oversees the commercial dog industry in America.
Late in 1999, USDA finally moved forward in a case involving a New Mexico research facility called the Coulston Foundation. The Coulston Foundation agreed to surrender more than 300 chimpanzees housed at their facility. In a settlement agreement with the facility, USDA announced, "This is an unprecedented consent agreement and a big win for these magnificent animals...This agreement will help to ensure that all of the approximately 650 chimps currently housed at the Coulston Foundation are provided quality care well into the next century."
USDA was faced with a major dilemma during the long-lasting investigation involving the Coulston Foundation. The Animal Welfare Act allowed for the confiscation of the animals, but what on earth would USDA do with 650
chimpanzees? By law, if USDA confiscated these animals, they would have to be relinquished to another USDA facility. Given Coulston's long history of abuse, torture and the deadly viruses these animals had been infected with, no research facility in the country was offering to take these animals. So the animals remained, year after year, at the Coulston Foundation until USDA finally 'forced' the Coulston Foundation to voluntarily surrender these animals to a retirement sanctuary.
When USDA investigates horrendous conditions at a puppy mill, they are often faced with the same problems as mentioned above. What will USDA do with the confiscated dogs? The law doesn't allow them to turn the animals over to shelters or rescue groups. They can only turn the dogs over to another USDA licensed commercial kennel. Even if USDA could find a kennel to take in the dogs, they know that public outrage would follow. Their only option is to destroy the dogs... again, the public would be infuriated.
On January 2nd 2001, USDA announced a change to the Animal Welfare Act that will finally allow USDA to confiscate animals and release them to humane organizations. Ron DeHaven, the deputy administrator of USDA/APHIS/AC,
announced, 'This amendment to the regulations will allow us greater flexibility to act when it becomes necessary to confiscate animals. The change will minimize the amount of time neglected, sick, or injured animals stay in unhealthy conditions.'
The change will officially take place on February 2, 2001.
Will your rescue group, animal shelter or humane organization be ready?
Consider the Wisconsin case in September of 2000...223 dogs were voluntarily surrendered. Most of these dogs were Chihuahuas. Because the facility voluntarily surrendered the dogs, USDA was able to work with the American Humane Association, but the story didn't end there. After many of the dogs were adopted, it was discovered that several of the dogs were infected with Brucellosis and hundreds of people were unknowingly exposed to this serious bacteria. All in all, I am sure the entire ordeal was more than anyone ever bargained for.
When will you be called on? What will you do when 200 dogs of your breed are seized? Are you prepared to bring this many dogs, most suffering from disease and injury, into your rescue program? Do you know how to keep the peace within your organization during a stressful time?
Now is the time for your organization to establish an emergency plan of action. I think USDA will utilize this amendment to the Animal Welfare Act very quickly. There are MANY, MANY cases pending right now where it is evident that USDA plans to confiscate animals...the only thing that has been holding them back is the current law that gives the USDA no power to do anything with the animals once they are confiscated. On February 2nd, that will all change!"
"A United States Department of Agriculture's press release, dated January 2, 2001, announced a major change that will affect rescue groups and humane societies everywhere.
I'll do my best to explain.
The Animal Welfare Act governs a large group of animals in the United States. Regulated animals include dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits, exotics, zoos, circus animals, animals shipped on airlines, research animals, etc. It is also the law that oversees the commercial dog industry in America.
Late in 1999, USDA finally moved forward in a case involving a New Mexico research facility called the Coulston Foundation. The Coulston Foundation agreed to surrender more than 300 chimpanzees housed at their facility. In a settlement agreement with the facility, USDA announced, "This is an unprecedented consent agreement and a big win for these magnificent animals...This agreement will help to ensure that all of the approximately 650 chimps currently housed at the Coulston Foundation are provided quality care well into the next century."
USDA was faced with a major dilemma during the long-lasting investigation involving the Coulston Foundation. The Animal Welfare Act allowed for the confiscation of the animals, but what on earth would USDA do with 650
chimpanzees? By law, if USDA confiscated these animals, they would have to be relinquished to another USDA facility. Given Coulston's long history of abuse, torture and the deadly viruses these animals had been infected with, no research facility in the country was offering to take these animals. So the animals remained, year after year, at the Coulston Foundation until USDA finally 'forced' the Coulston Foundation to voluntarily surrender these animals to a retirement sanctuary.
When USDA investigates horrendous conditions at a puppy mill, they are often faced with the same problems as mentioned above. What will USDA do with the confiscated dogs? The law doesn't allow them to turn the animals over to shelters or rescue groups. They can only turn the dogs over to another USDA licensed commercial kennel. Even if USDA could find a kennel to take in the dogs, they know that public outrage would follow. Their only option is to destroy the dogs... again, the public would be infuriated.
On January 2nd 2001, USDA announced a change to the Animal Welfare Act that will finally allow USDA to confiscate animals and release them to humane organizations. Ron DeHaven, the deputy administrator of USDA/APHIS/AC,
announced, 'This amendment to the regulations will allow us greater flexibility to act when it becomes necessary to confiscate animals. The change will minimize the amount of time neglected, sick, or injured animals stay in unhealthy conditions.'
The change will officially take place on February 2, 2001.
Will your rescue group, animal shelter or humane organization be ready?
Consider the Wisconsin case in September of 2000...223 dogs were voluntarily surrendered. Most of these dogs were Chihuahuas. Because the facility voluntarily surrendered the dogs, USDA was able to work with the American Humane Association, but the story didn't end there. After many of the dogs were adopted, it was discovered that several of the dogs were infected with Brucellosis and hundreds of people were unknowingly exposed to this serious bacteria. All in all, I am sure the entire ordeal was more than anyone ever bargained for.
When will you be called on? What will you do when 200 dogs of your breed are seized? Are you prepared to bring this many dogs, most suffering from disease and injury, into your rescue program? Do you know how to keep the peace within your organization during a stressful time?
Now is the time for your organization to establish an emergency plan of action. I think USDA will utilize this amendment to the Animal Welfare Act very quickly. There are MANY, MANY cases pending right now where it is evident that USDA plans to confiscate animals...the only thing that has been holding them back is the current law that gives the USDA no power to do anything with the animals once they are confiscated. On February 2nd, that will all change!"