MASSFED NEWS

page 1
Summer 2013
Massachusetts Federation
of Dog Clubs and
Responsible Dog Owners
MASSFED NEWS
MASSFED
NEWS
Summer 2013
www.massfeddogs.org
This Federation…
• Promotes and protects the interests of responsible dog
­owners.
• Actively assists and participates in local, state and national legislation concerning dogs and dog owners.
• Brings such legislation to the attention of the membership and the general public.
• Promotes responsible dog ownership.
• Uses all legal means to promote the general welfare of
dogs and dog owners.
• Disseminates information and knowledge regarding
dogs.
CANINE EDUCATION DAY &
RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP MONTH
Celebration at the State House
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
MassFed invitations for September 18, 2013 Canine Education Day have been mailed to all Legislators
(see below). Please send a handwritten reminder note to your Mass. Senator and Representative. Also,
please indicate in your note if you will be there to greet them.
You can find your Senator and Representative by going to http://www.massfeddogs.org/Statewide.html
and typing your zip code into the red/white/blue “Write Your Legislators” box.
Suggested Constituent Note to Legislators:
Dear Representative or Senator (in your district):
www.massfeddogs.org
Cordially invites
Legislators and their Staff Members
to attend a reception
with light breakfast
on
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Nurses Hall
R.S.V.P.
[email protected]
I wanted to personally follow-up a mailed invitation you received from the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners
(MassFed). I hope you and members of your staff
are planning on attending the reception and light
breakfast on Wednesday, September 18 from 9:30
to 11:30 a. m. in Nurses Hall.
I’m a voter in your district and I plan to be there.
MassFed will provide a wealth of information and
will have knowledgeable dog owners available at
the reception to help you understand our position
on current legislation of importance to all animal
­owners throughout Massachusetts.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Continued on page 2
page 2
Summer 2013
MASSFED NEWS
CANINE EDUCATION DAY - 9:30–11:30am, Wed., Sept. 18, 2013
Nurses Hall, State House, Boston, MA
Sign-Up Sheet
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______Zip_________________
Telephone: (indicate home, work, cell)_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______Zip_________________
Telephone: (indicate home, work, cell)_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______Zip_________________
Telephone: (indicate home, work, cell)_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______Zip_________________
Telephone: (indicate home, work, cell)_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______Zip_________________
Telephone: (indicate home, work, cell)_____________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________
When sheet is filled with names please return to: Julie Rembrandt Seeley, MassFed Corresponding
Secretary, P.O. Box 295, Harvard, MA 01451
MASSFED NEWS
Summer 2013
page 3
News & MassFed Member Participation
Pioneer Valley hosts “Stuffed Dog Show”
On August 3, 2013 the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club held it’s 38th
annual dog show on the grounds of the Greenfield Community
College in Greenfield, MA. We are a self-superintended show and
pride ourselves on the old fashioned
look and feel of our dog show. Because we hold our show in our
community in Western Massachusetts we like to make it a fun
experience for both exhibitors and spectators. We have the opportunity to showcase our sport and the value of
dogs in our lives and communities.
We featured a dog show tour, meet and greets with our PVKC
sponsored Police Bloodhound Officer Badge, a Search and Rescue
demo and our first Stuffed Dog Show! We borrowed this idea from
long time 4H leader Danielle Furness. Children were asked to
bring their favorite stuffed dog and his or her collar and leash. For
children who didn’t have a stuffed dog PVKC members generously
donated theirs along with collars and leads for the children to use.
The stuffed dogs were examined on the table and the down and
back, just like a real dog show! Everyone was a winner so each
child received a blue rosette, a Purina lunch bag with assorted
toys, dog toys and a slip lead and a copy of the book “If I Ran The
Dog Show”.
Our judge for this event was 2nd Berkshire District Rep. Paul Mark.
I think it is safe to say that Rep Mark enjoyed the event as much
as the children! We feel that we accomplished several things with
this event. Having a member of the legislature attend gave him
perspective about the number of people attending dog shows and
the impact on the Commonwealth from a monetary standpoint. As
a member of the Agriculture committee he will be attending hearings that often include dog legislation and will, hopefully, see us
in a new light. Many of the children who attended the Stuffed Dog
Show and their parents had never been to a dog show or owned
a dog. This was a fun and safe way to introduce them to our sport.
Many of these families came before or stayed after the Stuffed Dog
Show and had the opportunity to meet the dogs and exhibitors and
see what a wonderful family sport we have!
If we want the support of the communities, as dog clubs, we need
to reach out to them and take every opportunity to showcase our
dogs and our sport!
Darci Brown
Legislation and Hearings
The 2013 legislative session brought numerous bills that would
potentially affect Massachusetts dog owners. The MassFed
board developed position papers on each of these bills in support
or in opposition, and provided each Legislative Committee and it’s
2nd Berkshire District State Representative Paul Mark
judged the “Stuffed Dog Show” at PVKC
individual members with clear information on each of the bills being considered.
In addition to sending our position papers to all committees on
pertinent bills, MassFed members attended the hearings of the
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and
the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, which were considering a number of very important bills
that would have far reaching impact on dog owners and breeders.
Several board members traveled to the state house frequently over
the course of the spring/summer session to meet individually with
committee members and other legislators in an effort to fully explain
the impact of these bills. Meetings were also held in legislative
districts to reach out to senators and representative.
Over the summer, Nancy Fisk with Darci Brown and Virginia Rowland have met with some of the other stakeholders to work on a
revision to SB401, An Act to Protect Puppies & Kittens. It is clear
that the Mass. Legislature intends to pass some amended version
of this bill and it is very important it be fair to responsible breeders.
We will continue to work to influence the legislative outcome on
these bills to benefit our members and all Massachusetts dog
owners. Will you help us?
Nancy Fisk
Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners
President Nancy Fisk, 235 Maple St., Bellingham, MA 02019; 508-966-4564; [email protected]
Vice President Darci Brown, P.O. Box 407, Greenfield, MA 01502; 413-772-2111; [email protected]
Corresponding Secretary Julie Rembrandt Seeley, P.O. Box 295, Harvard, MA 01451-0295; 978-456-8644;
[email protected]
Recording Secretary Linda Gagnon, P.O. Box 981, Wendell, MA 01379; 978-544-8933; [email protected]
Treasurer Rebecca Leonard, 50 Rice Road, Wayland, MA 01778; 508-653-6139; [email protected]
Directors
Kerry Fogler, 235 Plainfield Road, Concord, MA 01742; 978-371-0882; [email protected]
John Kenney, 53 Beechwood Street, Cohasset, MA 02025; 781-383-0504; [email protected]
Virginia Rowland, P.O. Box 300, Templeton, MA 01468-0300; 978-939-5300; [email protected]
Holly Sheltry, 263 Topsfield Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, 978-356-1644, [email protected]
MASSFED NEWS
Summer 2013
page 4
2013-2014 Legislative Session - BILLS TO WATCH
The list of bills that MassFed will track for this ­legislative session is available for downloading on the Statewide
page of the website. This is a multi-page document lists all bills that are being tracked on a daily basis by our
legislative tracking service.
We have a page on the website called Position Papers. This page contains the same list of bills as the downloadable “Bills To Watch” document but it also has links to the full bill text and MassFed position papers as they
become available. The Bills To Watch list and Position Papers will be updated daily as events occur.
Bill/Dkt #
Sponsor
Name/Description
Joint Committee on Municipalities & Regional Government (JMR) 617-722-2090 HEARING 6/4/13 11am State House B1
HB1824
Rep. Coakley-Rivera (D) An Act Establishing a Seized Animal Fund
HB1825
Rep. Coakley-Rivera (D) An Act Regulating the Sale of Dogs (Support)
HB1826
Rep. Coakley-Rivera (D) An Act Relative to the Tethering of Dogs Outside Support with Amendment
HB1840
Rep. Gobi (D)
An Act Relative to Dog Pens and Kennels (Support)
HB1852
Rep. Kafka (D)
An Act to Ensure Adequate Care of Animals in Cities & Towns (Oppose)
HB1874
Rep. Reinstein (D)
An Act to Protect Puppies and Kittens (Oppose)
SB401
Sen. Spilka (D)
An Act to Protect Puppies and Kittens (Oppose)
SB942
Sen. Eldridge (D)
An Act Protecting Abandoned Animals in Vacant Properties (Support)
07/23/13 Reported Favorably; 08/08/13 Referred to Senate Ethics & Rules
SB952
Sen. Jehlen (D)
An Act Strengthening the Enforcement of Certain Dog Laws (Support)
SB957
Sen. Montigny (D)
An Act Relative to Tethering of Dogs (Oppose)
SB969
Sen. Rush (D)
An Act Relative to Dangerous Dogs in Cities and Towns (Oppose)
Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture (JEN) 617-722-1551 or 617-722-2210
HB680
Rep. Coakley-Rivera (D) An Act Relative to Pet Grooming (Oppose)
Hearing 7/3/13 Prouty High School Auditorium, Spencer, MA
HB3342
Rep. Cantwell (D)
An Act Regulating Boarding Kennels and Daycare Facilities for Dogs
(Oppose as written)
SB375
Sen. Montigny (D)
An Act Relative to Privately Operated Animal Shelters (Oppose)
Joint Committee on the Judiciary (JJU) 617-722-2396
HB1172
Rep. Arciero (D)
An Act Relative to Service Trained Dogs (Support with Amendment)
07/22/13 Reported Favorably; Referred to Senate Ways & Means
HB1182
Rep. Ayers (D)
An Act Relative to the Penalty for Killing, Maiming or Poisoning of Animals
(Oppose as written) Hearing 7/9/13 State House
HB1243
Rep. Campbell (D)
An Act Updating the Law Relating to Posting a Security for Seized Animals in
Cruelty Cases (Oppose)
HB1262
Rep. Coakley-Rivera (D) An Act Increasing Penalties for Cruelty to Animals (Support)
Hearing 7/9/13 State House
HB1363
Rep. Gobi (D)
An Act Relative to Dog Training Areas in the Commonwealth (Support)
HB1416
Rep. Kafka (D)
An Act Establishing a Public Registry of Animal Abusers (Oppose)
Hearing 7/9/13 State House
HB1578
Rep. Reinstein (D)
An Act Relative to Stolen Animals (Oppose) Hearing 7/9/13 State House
SB767
Sen. Montigny (D)
An Act Relative to a Private Cause of Action to Prevent the Cruel and Inhumane
Treatment of Animals (Oppose)
SB807
Sen. Tarr (R)
An Act Establishing an Animal Abuse Registry (Oppose) Hearing 7/9/13 State House
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure (JCP) 617-722-2030
HB246
Rep. Mahoney (D)
An Act to Establish a Subsidiary Board for Veterinary Technology (Oppose)
HB272
Rep. Peterson (R)
An Act Relative to the Definition of a Kennel (Oppose) Hearing 6/11/13 State House
Joint Committee on Financial Services (JFS) 617-722-2220
HB918
Rep. Gobi (D)
An Act Concerning the Use of Certain Insurance Underwriting Guidelines
Pertaining to Dogs (Support)
Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security (JPSF) 617-722-1222
SB1172
Sen. Spilka (D)
An Act Ensuring the Safety of People with Pets in Disasters (Support)
Hearing 4/4/13 State House
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Summer 2013
DONATIONS
We would like to thank the Colonial Shetland
Sheepdog Club for their recent donation of
$200.00 and the Great Dane Club of New England for their $50.00 donation. Remember to
ask your club donations committee to consider
MassFed for a donation in the upcoming year.
NEW MEMBERS
We are always recruiting! Club and Associate
Membership applications can be downloaded
from the website — www.massfeddogs.org.
If you become aware of any impending
­legislation in your town please contact a
MassFed Board Member immediately so
that we may start the process of investigation and take appropriate ­action! Board
Member contact information is on page 3
of this newsletter and the “Membership”
page of our website.
PLANNING FUTURE CLUB
MEETING DATES & SPEAKERS?
If your club needs a meeting program, our
MassFed Board Members will be happy to
provide speakers to discuss Legislation and
upcoming events. Don’t miss an opportunity to
educate your club members about legislation
and lawmaking. Contact any MassFed Board
member about scheduling a meeting speaker.
MassFed News is a newsletter published February, May,
August, and November by MassFed for members. Any portion may be ­reproduced in the newsletters of member clubs
with appropriate credit to sources. Material reproduced from
other sources or opinions expressed in this Newsletter does
not necessarily represent the official ­position of the Federation or its members.
Please send correspondence to: Julie Rembrandt Seeley,
Post Office Box 295, Harvard, MA 01451-0295; fax 978-4568853; e-mail [email protected]
MASSFED NEWS
2013 Meeting Dates
• September 18 (Wed.) - Canine Education
Day & Responsible Dog Ownership Day at
State House, Boston, MA
• September 21 (Sat.) - New England Pet Expo
• October (date TBD) - Annual Meeting location and speaker TBD
Legislative Tracking Service
MassFed subscribes to a legislative tracking
service (InstaTrac) which alerts us on a daily
basis to activities at the State House such as
hearings scheduled, new bills filed, and progress on bills we are tracking. We are fundraising on a continuing basis to cover the cost of
this service. A donation letter is included with
this newsletter, please bring it to the attention
of your club at your next meeting.
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
American Dog Owners Association
http://www.adoa.org
American Kennel Club
http://www.akc.org
Center For Consumer Freedom
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/
Contacting Congress
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
committees.html
Lawmaking in Massachusetts
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/lawmaking.htm
Mass. General Court
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm
National Animal Interest Alliance
www.naiaonline.org
Project Smart Vote
http://www.vote-smart.org/
Thomas - U.S. Congress on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov/
U.S. Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.org
MASSFED NEWS
Summer 2013
page 6
MEMBER CLUBS
Airedale Terrier Club of New England
Delegate Jennifer Foote
781-837-2454
[email protected]
Irish Setter Club of New England
Delegate Kyle Shaffer
781-727-0775
[email protected]
Scottish Terrier Club of N.E.
Delegate Margaret Blaine
508-881-1979
[email protected]
Bay Colony Tibetan Terrier Club
Delegate Caryl Crouse
508-695-8410
[email protected]
Labrador Retriever Club of the
Pioneer Valley
Delegate Gretchen Boss
413-736-5606
[email protected]
South Shore Kennel Club, Inc.
Delegate Darlene Flood
508-888-6786
[email protected]
Baystate Bullmastiff Club
Delegate Stacey Gavin
508-393-3964
[email protected]
Bulldog Club of New England
Delegate Tom Rattigan
508-435-5276
[email protected]
Central New England Brittany Club
Delegate Dorothy Boyatzi
978-652-5374
[email protected]
Charles River Dog Training Club
Delegate Rebecca Leonard
508-653-6139
[email protected]
Classic Toy Dog Club
of Western Mass.
Delegate Thomas Baldwin
413-583-3128
[email protected]
Collie Club of New England Secretary Louise Cote
603-621-0508
[email protected]
Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club
Delegate Bonnie Chandler
978-456-3169
[email protected]
Concord Dog Training Club
Delegate Anne Testoni
978-779-6154
[email protected]
Eastern Dog Club
Delegate Bruce Smith
508-397-2331 [email protected]
Framingham District Kennel Club
Delegate Donna Cappadona
508-881-8104
[email protected]
Greater Lowell Kennel Club
Delegate Virginia O’Connell
781-925-8901
[email protected]
Hockamock Kennel Club
Delegate Nancy Fisk
508-966-4564
[email protected]
Southern Berkshire
Golden Retriever Club
Delegate Jean Deresienska
413-567-4685
[email protected]
Ladies’ Dog Club, Inc.
Delegate Virginia Rowland
978-424-1044
[email protected]
Mayflower German Shorthaired
Pointer Club
Delegate Bill Felins
617-470-6757
[email protected]
Springfield Kennel Club
Delegate Tom Davies
413-283-3842
[email protected]
Merrimack Lhasa Apso Club
Delegate Arna Margolies
781-449-0612
[email protected]
Town & Country Toy Dog Club of
Eastern MA
Delegate Mary Harrigan
508-520-4089
[email protected]
Minuteman Samoyed Club, Inc.
Delegate Diana Walther
508-867-3196
[email protected]
Tracking Club of Massachusetts
Delegate Donna Kiuru
978-665-2933 [email protected]
New England Rhodesian
Ridgeback Club
Delegate Jean Gamble
978-333-9171
[email protected]
Wachusett Kennel Club, Inc.
Delegate Julie Rembrandt Seeley
978-456-8644
[email protected]
New England Rottweiler Fanciers
Delegate Karen Sbuttoni
617-594-7606
[email protected]
New England Sporting Group Assn.
Delegate Nancy Conner
413-367-2186
[email protected]
New England Terrier Club
Delegate David Healy
781-264-2980
[email protected]
Newfoundland Club of America
Delegate Kathleen Grim
508-898-9751
[email protected]
North Shore Kennel Club
Delegate Holly Sheltry
978-356-1644
hollysheltry@hickoryhillkennel.
com
Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc.
Delegate Darci L. Brown
413-498-5006
[email protected]
Wampanoag Kennel Club
Delegate Monique Bertrand
508-287-0298 [email protected]
Worcester County Kennel Club
Delegate Cynthia Stark
508-852-2483
[email protected]
Yankee Golden Retriever Club
Delegate Judith Erlanger
978-263-7301
[email protected]
Yankee Siberian Husky Club
Delegate John Kenney
781-383-0504
[email protected]