November 21, 2010
Read Below:
Texas Veterinary Medical Association's canned response to our RPOA members
regarding TVMA's participation in drafting a Texas version of the national
Humane Society of the U.S.'s "Pet Elimination Bill."
Note that Elizabeth Choate takes direction from the TVMA Executive Committee
so please address the committee directly.
Texas is under a major attack from the Animal Rights Industry to end all
use, breeding and ownership of animals for any reason, including pet
ownership. A "basic standard of care" which Choate mentions below is
mandated in our existing Texas Animal Cruelty Statute. USDA regulations
cannot be met in a home environment - but isn't that the goal of the
extremists?
Here are the contacts to contact TVMA once again if you wish. Their
response is not satisfactory as this legislation will not be carved in
stone. HSUS and Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) both say they will
be back in upcoming legislative sessions to tighten the noose on dog and cat
breeding and sales. Just look what THLN is doing in Texas cities! No Pets
= No Vets.
Ask TVMA to oppose the HSUS/THLN
Anti-Breeding Bill in any form because of the radical national HSUS
legislative agenda. This legislation must be
defeated and will be if TVMA is on our side! Contact your personal
veterinarian and fax or email him this message.
Contacts for TVMA:
President Lori Teller, DVM
President@tvma.orgPresident Elect John Morton, DVM
Pres-elect@tvma.orgBoard Chair Orlando Garza, DVM
Chairman@tvma.orgCouncil Chair Tracy Colvin, DVM
CCColvin@tvma.orgExec. Director Chris Copeland, JD
ccopeland@tvma.orgAssoc. Director Devorah Jakubowsky
Djakubowsky@tvma.orgGovernment Relations Director Elizabeth Choate, JD
Echoate@tvma.org.................................................................
From Elizabeth Choate, TVMA Government Relations Director:
'The reason that TVMA has been working with the Texas Humane Legislative
Network on compromise legislation is precisely to address the concerns that
you are expressing in your email. Veterinarians want to make sure that a
radical animal rights agenda is not pursued and potentially passed through
legislation at the state level.
Like it or not, there has been a huge public outcry for the regulation of
commercial breeders. Standing on the sidelines and saying that no form of
regulation is acceptable could lead to the passage of a bill that is totally
unacceptable to everyone except HSUS.
TVMA believes animals that are sold as pets require a basic standard of care
for their own well being and to ensure, as much as possible, that they
possess the temperament and good health necessary to become successful
companion animals. The good news is that most facilities meet or exceed this
level of care. Unfortunately, as you are acutely aware, there are also
substandard facilities that fail to meet any basic standard of care.
The TVMA Board of Directors, Legislative Committee and Animal Welfare
Committee felt that it was important for veterinarians to play a role in
writing any legislation concerning animal welfare issues because
veterinarians, unlike many animal rights activists, truly understand the
science behind animal health and welfare. With this concern in mind, they
instructed the TVMA government relations department to work with the bill's
author and other stakeholders, like the Texas Humane Legislation Network, to
help ensure that whatever piece of legislation is filed is in the best
interest of animals and stops the bad actors while protecting reputable
breeders.
Throughout the process TVMA has fought for, and will continue to fight for,
individual freedom and the ability to breed animals. TVMA will not support a
bill that places absolute restrictions on the number of animals that can be
bred. Veterinarians will not support legislation that regulates individuals
who have less than 11 breeding females. TVMA will not stand for a bill that
places cumbersome excessive regulations on the breeders. Any bill must
mirror the USDA regulations already on the books which currently only apply
to wholesalers and not individuals who sell animals to the general public.
Texas veterinarians intend to stand with pet owners and breeders to help
look out for their interests and this is why we have been negotiating with
THLN and others. We welcome your input into the process. If you have
suggestions as to what should and should not be acceptable please provide us
with your insights."
Elizabeth Choate, JD
Director of Government Relations/ General Counsel
Texas Veterinary Medical Association
8104 Exchange Drive
Austin, TX 78754
Office 512-452-4224
Cell 512-354-5518
fax 512-452-6633
email
echoate@tvma.orgweb
www.tvma.org
