AKC LOBBY DAY REPORT

 The AKC Lobby Day events were held September 18 and 19, 2006.  This is the fourth year that AKC has held this event.  Mike Houchard and I attended this year’s event.

One of the speakers at the working session was Dr. Chester A. Gipson, Deputy Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.  He is the Deputy Administrator of APHIS for the Animal Care program.  Dr. Gipson spoke concerning the Federal Standards for the Microchip Identification of Pet Animals.  Congress has mandated in its FY 2006 agricultural appropriations bill that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) “harmonize” pet microchip standards and “develop the appropriate regulations that allow for universal reading ability that best serve the interests of pet owners.”  The comment period on this mandate is over and AKC has asked that they mandate a scanner that can read all the chips that are manufactured.  If the manufacturers resort to litigation to protect market monopolies and undermine the APHIS rule, this matter could require Congressional action.  Mike and I did discuss this matter with the aide to Senator Chambliss (Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee).  This particular aide is on the Professional Staff for the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The “Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006” has passed as of September 20, 2006.  The Senate version, which had a little better language, is the version that passed.  While on Capitol Hill, Mike and I did ask the members of the House Delegation from Georgia to support the Senate version.  This is a great accomplishment to have this bill pass this year.  Some states have in place requirements for allowing pets to be evacuated with their owners.

 It appears that a new PAWS bill will be introduced that will include the changes proposed in the Discussion Draft from last spring.  We are monitoring this legislation and are waiting to see if it will be introduced after the November elections or held and introduced in January 2007.  This will be a new piece of legislation.

 Please remember that you need to monitor your local legislation and state legislation.  This year has seen a large number of bills introduced across the country that would prohibit certain breeds, mandate spay-neuter, and require registering your pets with the local and state government.  Unfortunately, some of these bills have passed, especially in California, but other areas have adopted some of the above types of legislation also.  We do foresee that some of this type of legislation could be introduced in Georgia.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to know your representatives on a local and state level.  You want them to turn to you when companion animal issues come up for discussion.

Gail LaBerge

Legislative Specialist