Roxane
01-04-2001, 01:50 PM
Crossposted from Kim Towndsen, with permission:
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 2nd 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 and 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 USDA no power to do anything with the animals once they are confiscated. On February 2nd, that will all change!
***********
Oh boy!
Roxane and crew
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 2nd 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 and 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 USDA no power to do anything with the animals once they are confiscated. On February 2nd, that will all change!
***********
Oh boy!
Roxane and crew