CA AB 1634 - Individual Member Letter Formats

We give below a selection of formats to be adapted by our membership record their unequivocal opposition to the Bill. It has been our experience that given the volume of "paper" flowing into these committees; that the they generally do not "study" any content but generally categorize them into "for" and "against" piles.

You can use any and all formats for your letters. Our goals is to provide suggested paragraphs so that you can send a letter, suitably mixing and matching content, so as to preclude it being considered a "canned" presentation.

What is absolutely important is -

1. Send the letter by fax well before the deadline of May 11. Fax machines get overloaded. People get overworked, If you wait until the last minute your letter may not make the "oppose List". THIS HAPPENED BEFORE FOR THE BNP SESSION AND THE CLUB/MEMBER EFFORT WAS TO NO AVAIL.

2. Address the letter to your local Assembly person. Way to find them is also provided below using your zip code.

4. Copy any relevant member of the Appropriations Committee.

Again, these letter formats given are only suggestions. Use your good judgement and common sense. Most important get the letter out without attempting to create a literary masterpiece.

There is a clear transgression of your rights as a human being and your rights as a a dog lover/breeder/trainer/etc are at stake. Please act NOW.


Find your Representative

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Find the Appropriations Committee Members

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USA Letter format

Date

# Any Street
Any City, CA Zip Code

The Honorable XXXXXXX
State Capitol
Room Number
Sacramento, CA Zip Code

Dear Assembly member or Senator (use last name):

RE: Oppose AB 1634 as Amended April 30th

(Suggested Opening Paragraph---modify as appropriate)

My name is John/Jane Doe, and I am writing the Appropriations Committee in the hopes that my letter will add to the thousands more that you have already undoubtedly received in opposition to Assembly Bill 1634, which mandates spaying/neutering of dogs or cats over four months of age, unless the owner purchases an intact animal permit. I am a responsible dog owner (and or breeder) and I oppose this legislation.

(PERSONALIZE HERE—DISCUSS WHAT TITLES YOUR DOG HAS, WHAT SCHUTZHUND TRIALS YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN, BREED SURVEYS, SIEGER SHOWS, ETC. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS LETTER SHOW HOW THE LEGISLATION IN QUESTION HAS AFFECTED/WILL AFFECT YOU!!!!!!!

IF YOU ARE A BREEDER, DISCUSS THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF YOUR LITTERS; DISCUSS THE PROCESS BY WHICH YOU SELECT BUYERS FOR YOUR PUPPIES.)

What this bill fails to do is target the proper audience. The vast majority of dogs and cats in the animal shelters in California are OWNER TURN INS! Therein lays the heart of the problem—irresponsible pet owners, and a society that views dogs and cats as “disposable.” THIS is the audience that should be targeted; not seriously committed sport dog enthusiasts, and responsible pet owners.

Responsible owners who are already complying with local animal control laws will be unfairly punished by AB 1634, while irresponsible owners will continue to make problems for the community and local shelters. Concentrating animal control efforts on dogs whose behavior demonstrates that they are a problem for the community would be a much better use of taxpayer funds.

I respectfully ask that you support responsible owners and breeders by opposing AB 1634 as it will not achieve its stated objective, and infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

I therefore respectfully request that this committee vote “NO” on AB 1634, as amended by the Business and Professions Committee on April 27, 2007, and all subsequent amendments.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,



John or Jane Doe





Use the AKC format in the interim

The Honorable (name)
California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 94249

RE: Oppose AB 1634 as Amended April 30th

Dear Assemblyman or Assemblywoman __________:

I am writing you today because I am concerned about Assembly Bill 1634, a measure that would require mandatory spaying/neutering of dogs and cats over four months of age unless the owner purchases an intact animal permit. I am a responsible dog owner (and or breeder) and I oppose this legislation.

(Personalize here – tell about yourself as a dog owner, breeder and fancier. How many years have you been involved with dogs? What breeds have you owned or shown? Do you compete in any other activities with your dog – Obedience, Rally, Agility…Have any of your dogs achieved a Championship? Won a prestigious award?

Please describe the money you spend when traveling to shows. Do you spend money in hotels, for gas, eat out at restaurants? Details the money you spent in the last few years. Let them know where the shows were that you attended and what businesses you impacted.

Breeders - Details the steps you take when preparing to breed/whelp a litter – applicable health testing, evaluation of breeding stock, training, etc…How much money do you invest in these things? How do you work with puppy purchasers to ensure they will be responsible owners? Do you encourage obedience training? Do you remain in contact with the new owners?)

Mandatory spay/neuter is an ineffective solution to animal control problems because it fails to address the heart of the issue—irresponsible ownership. These laws are extremely difficult to enforce and can be evaded by irresponsible animal owners by not licensing their pets. It will hurt responsible breeders like me who raise healthy, well cared-for dogs and work to ensure that these puppies are placed with responsible owners.

Responsible owners who are already complying with local animal control laws will be unfairly punished by AB 1634, while irresponsible owners will continue to make problems for the community and local shelters. Concentrating animal control efforts on dogs whose behavior demonstrates that they are a problem for the community would be a much better use of taxpayer funds.

I respectfully ask that you support responsible owners and breeders by opposing AB 1634.

Sincerely,


John Smith
1234 Main Street
Los Angeles, CA

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