Volume 1, Number 12 (December 30, 2010)

TOP NEWS

2011-2012 Legislative Session. Twenty-six states have already begun pre-filing/drafting bills for the 2011-2012 legislative session.   More than 30 states will be convening their legislatures during the first two weeks of January, 2011. Note that Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon and Texas will be holding sessions for the first time since 2009. Take a look at the 2011 Legislative Session Calendar to see when your state is due to convene.

DOG/CAT

New York (New York City). **RECENTLY HEARD**   The New York City Council is considering legislation to amend the city’s Code to prohibit pet owners from restraining animals outdoors for longer than three hours in any continuous 12-hour period. The Council discussed the proposal at a December 17th meeting, but it was “laid over” in the Committee on Health with no future discussion date set. For more detailed information on this issue, please read PIJAC’s PetAlert.

BREEDER/KENNEL

Utah (Salt Lake County). **ORDINANCE ADOPTED** The Salt Lake County Council recently voted 9-0 to pass the “Volume Dog Breeders” ordinance requiring licensure for anyone who breeds more than one litter of dogs per year. The ordinance provides for specific kennel and care standards as well as recordkeeping requirements on all dogs. The Council plans to revisit the ordinance in the coming months to allow for input from breeders and kennel clubs. Read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this issue for more details.

EXOTIC ANIMALS

Indiana. **PRE-FILED FOR 2011 SESSION** Senate Bill 17 been pre-filed for the 2011 Indiana General Assembly session. This bill would make it a Class C misdemeanor to sell exotic or wild animals (including exotic reptiles) without a permit or to release an exotic or wild animal into the wild without legal authorization or a permit. PIJAC’s PetAlert provides more details regarding penalties and definitions.

PET STORE/DEALER

New York (Amherst). **NEW LAW PROPOSED** An Amherst, NY Town Board Member has teamed up with Western New York Citizens Against Puppy Mills to announce plans for a law which would make it illegal for Amherst retailers to sell dogs that come from so-called “puppy mills”. PIJAC is closely monitoring the progress of this issue and will post a PetAlert if and when the proposed law is introduced. Click here to read a local news article on the proposed law.

Texas (Austin). **ORDINANCE ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY** Following a recommendation by the Austin Animal Advisory Commission to ban the sale of dogs and cats by pet stores, the Austin City Council enacted that ban into law at its December 16^th meeting. The draft ordinance was passed without changes. Please read PIJAC’s PetAlert for more detailed information on this ordinance.

JOIN PIJAC AND BECOME EVEN BETTER INFORMED

PIJAC membership is open to all segments of the pet industry, as well as individual pet enthusiasts. Pet-related businesses, please visit the PIJAC website for membership information: www.pijac.org or contact Nancy Knutson, Director of Member Services: members@pijac.org.

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PIJAC E-NEWS REPRODUCTION/TRANSMISSION

The PIJAC E-News is covered by PIJAC copyright. At this time, we grant permission for further transmission of the newsletter to interested parties or reproduction in part provided that: 1) the PIJAC copyright is referenced, 2) full attribution is given to PIJAC, and 3) the wording is conveyed in exactly the manner that it was provided by PIJAC. PIJAC reserves the right to change its reproduction/transmission policy at any time.

CONTACT US

If you need more information on government affairs issues, please contact Michael Maddox, Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel at: michael@pijac.org. For all other matters, please contact Mike Canning, President/CEO at: mcanning@pijac.org.

THE PET INDUSTRY JOINT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PIJAC) 1140 19^th Street, NW, Ste 300, Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 452-1525 / (800) 553-PETS, info@pijac.org

       © PIJAC, 2010