What’s Hot in Legistlation

Silence in Advocacy is Not Golden!

Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison

Cat and dog fanciers have borne the burden of anti-breeder and anti-pet legislation for years. Brick by legislative brick, that weight will continue getting heavier if we do not speak out loudly and effectively against bad laws. Nobody else can advocate for our hobby as well as we can, and failure to advocate for ourselves only invites the end of our hobby!  Those already in the trenches fighting for the fancy have our profound appreciation. But our hobby needs every fancier to get involved.

Last year, a European Union-style “unethical breeding” ordinance arbitrarily banning many popular cat and dog breeds for their traits or color grabbed a toehold in the U.S. via a small Californian town. Breeds with short snouts, hairlessness, and folded ears fall among the targeted animals. The first cat and dog fanciers heard of the ordinance was after it became law. Preventing legislation from becoming law is much easier than repealing it – but we cannot stop what we don’t know about, which is an animal rights strategy. Thus, Ojai’s unethical breeding ban became the first ordinance of its kind to become law in the United States, but not the first effort. New Hampshire has that dubious honor. Fortunately, a group of cat fanciers, dog fanciers, veterinarians, and others successfully prevented that bill from being passed. Elsewhere, a Texas dog breeder demonstrated what a single voice could accomplish with the dog exemptions added to the Texas Dog and Cat Breeder Law in 2021. However, history tells us animal rights activists will not be satisfied with a single tiny win in Ojai, California, just as they aren’t satisfied with winning over several EU countries. Rewriting animal legislation globally is necessary to achieve their ultimate goal – no animal use of any kind, including as pets. And they are willing to achieve it one little baby step at a time.

Mink farming, fur and leather clothing, trophy hunting, animal use in research, and veganism were well-known animal rights issues when I started exhibiting cats in the late 1990s. I did not realize there was also a war against pets until I was asked to join the legislative committee of another organization.  Over twenty years later, I am still working on the legislative front. Did I mention I passionately dislike politics? I do not do this because I love politics but because I love my cats and showing. A persistent offense requires a consistent defense.

Grassroots advocacy is the backbone of our fight. While legislative advocacy does not come naturally to many people, we frequently advocate for things without giving them a second thought. When we describe to a potential pet buyer how great our breeds are, we are advocating. The CFA Legislative Group can help you apply those skills to the many roles in grassroots advocacy.  Silence is the antithesis of advocacy—individuals must speak up. The alternative is more bricks.

Almost all U.S. state legislatures will be in session by the end of January. Add in the U.S. Congress, other nations, and local governments, and legislation is happening year-round. If you become aware of bad legislation in your area and want to break some bricks in 2025, contact us at legislation@cfa.org.

You are our eyes and ears! Is detrimental legislation happening in your area? Please let us know. Contact the CFA Legislative Group at legislation@cfa.org