Empty collars, empty dreams.

That's what further restrictions on New York pet breeders lead to.

Join the Dog Federation of New York's No Empty Collars Campaign

Empty collars are what unwarranted restrictions on pet owners and breeders promise. Don't be fooled. The muscle behind these proposals comes from radical animal rights organizations, not New York's millions of pet owners.

The Humane Society of the United States isn't your local animal shelter and the restrictions and regulations they advocate won't protect the health and welfare of animals.

New York dog owners and breeders care about animals. HSUS doesn't.

Three key proposals threaten pet ownership in New York

A7285 Paulin/S5392 Squadron: Outlaws custody or ownership of healthy, happy pet animals

A7285/S5392 targets moderate-sized breeders, sports and hunting kennels, and boarding facilities by making simple custody of "too many" intact dogs (or cats) illegal. Lobbied hard by the Humane Society of the United States, the proposal creates a brand new crime: custody of healthy, happy, well-cared for dogs and cats if you happen to have "too many." The bill permits animals to be seized and sold off -- or even killed -- before their owner has his/her day in court.

The Humane Society of the United States pretends the bill addresses abusive breeding facilities that violate existing state and federal law, but the proposal offers no new protections for animals.
Further analysis here.

A7983 Paulin/S4961 Oppenheimer: Endangers humane pet breeders, violates client/patient confidentiality

Buried in this mammoth proposal is the end to client or patient confidentiality for pet owners. The bill forces pet breeders to provide blanket authorizations for the release of their veterinary and private registry records for inspection by agents of the State of New York.

More information on the many defects in the proposal here.

A8352 Titone/ S4515 Lanza: Six pages of restrictions and penalties for breeding three puppies or kittens

Anyone who brings just three dogs or cats into the world is an instant "animal breeder" under this proposal, and instantly subject to six pages of regulations, restrictions, and inspections. Penalties for failure to comply with any provision included in the six pages go as high as $1,000 per violation.

DFNY's No Empty Collars Campaign

Think these proposals are scary? Outrageous? Completely unnecessary?

So do we.

Here's how to participate in the Dog Federation of New York's No Empty Collars Campaign.

1. Print out the Empty Collar Statement (cllick HERE to download), add your contact information, and sign it.

2. Get yourself a few dog or cat collars (available at many "dollar stores").

3. If you want, add additional information or your own letter for legislators.

4. Immediately mail (good), or personally deliver (best!) copies and your Empty Collars to:

Assemblyman Bill Magee

Chairman, New York State Assembly Committee on Agriculture

Legislative Office Building 828, Albany, NY 12248

Senator Darrel Aubertine

Chairman, New York State Senate Committee on Agriculture

903 Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12247

Still have a few Empty Collars?

Send them to:

Assemblyman Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, 932 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248

Senator Malcolm A. Smith, President Pro Tem of the New York State Senate, 909 Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Your own elected representatives.

Nothing but Empty Collars for New York pet lovers?

We hope not.

Please join the Dog Federation of New York in reaching out to our elected representatives, and help us protect lawful and humane pet breeders. We believe that locally bred, locally raised dogs and cats are a reasonable choice for New Yorkers who want to add a pet to their families.

Let's make sure that the future holds more than empty collars for us all.