Pennsylvania Legislator’s Realize Economic Impact
| Pennsylvania HR89 has been introduced to the Joint Houses of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This bill states that the estimated number of kennels in the state has dropped in excess of 75 percent. It goes further to state that the loss of these kennels has resulted in the loss of numerous part time and full time employment positions, loss of several millions in sales tax revenue as well as millions in taxable income, the veterinary industry in the state has suffered great loss of income, and the retail pet supplies industry has also suffered greatly in the state. Professional engineers that certify the ventilation systems required by prior legislation are now questioning the reasonableness and appropriateness of this legislation. | Number of kennels in PA has dropped in excess of 75% |
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives are now directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the economic impacts on the regulated community of commercial breeders. They are beginning to realize the direct results of letting the HSUS and other like organizations effect legislation that the commercial breeders attempted to tell them would have devastating effects on their economy and revenue for the state. HR89 states “It is estimated that the economic losses of these important small businesses is potentially millions of dollars...” This is a direct result of the legislation enacted on October 9, 2008, titled P.L. 1450, No. 119.
| Why would they listen to any organization whose ultimate goal is “one generation and out?” | I have to ask at this point why legislators do not listen to the people in their states who are the professionals in the industry? Why would they listen to any organization whose ultimate goal is “one generation and out?” Can other states that are currently undergoing legislation for commercial pet breeders learn from the mistakes Pennsylvania is now realizing? Yes, they can, if they do not wait too long! Each and every state in this country currently has laws on the books to enforce animal welfare. The USDA, who governs licensing and inspections of commercial pet breeders, have stepped up their efforts to enforce these laws. They have a larger budget to enable this enforcement. No responsible pet breeder wants sub-standard kennels in their state, as this only harms the industry. They are willing to self police their own industry, and this will ultimately result in a better pet breeding industry. |
Each and every State Legislature across this country needs to look at what is going on in Pennsylvania right now and learn from it. They must realize the potential revenue that comes to each state from this industry and what the loss of this revenue will do to their own state. With budgets across the country so tightly constrained, can any state afford the potential loss of revenue in the millions?
By Debi R***