|
|
|
|
Welcome...
... to a New and Different Kind of Breed Club!
With this club, we are taking a giant leap forward in the objectives of most of the breed clubs out there. We are taking strong action to protect and preserve our breed from unethical and irresponsible breeding. And we hope that, by setting a new standard, by raising the bar of breeding ethics, we set a precedent for breed clubs of the future to follow.
This club, with its noble undertaking of trying to prevent the exploitation of our beloved breed, may not succeed. We will try our best, but to fight against such a formidable opponent as the almighty dollar, some say, is a doomed and foolish effort.
However, even if we do not succeed, then we at least know this -- we have not stood on the sidelines watching the ruination of our breed.
Sir Isaac Newton said: "If I have been able to see farther, it is only because I have stood on the shoulders of giants."
It will be our efforts -- and perhaps our failures -- upon whose shoulders the successful will stand in ending puppymills*, puppy brokers* and those who would profit at the expense of our beloved pets. Because that day will come. Perhaps not in our lifetime. But it will come.
Join us in our daunting task, and perhaps together we can turn the tide and make the world a better place for our dogs. In closing, I borrow the motto from the Special Olympics:
"Let me win,
But if I cannot win,
Let me be brave in the attempt."
Tamara Follett
President, US-COPS
* - Puppymills - where breeding is done solely for financial gain without regard for genetic health, temperament, or breed integrity, and where puppies are sold to brokers, importers, or pet stores.
* - Puppy Brokers/ Puppy Importers - The "middleman" between the puppymill and the new home. The Broker/Importer's motivation is profit without accountability. That means if there are temperament and/or genetic problems with the pet, the broker throws up their hands and says, "Don't get mad at me! I'm not the breeder!"