DECEMBER 2009 PAGE 1

Dog Federation of New York

Albany: Ag & Mkts “Pet Dealer Focus
Group” talks continue
On Wednesday, December 9, the second in a projected
series of meetings took place in Albany under the auspices
of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. DFNY
was invited to attend, and following are highlights of the 2
hour meeting.

In addition to personnel from the NYS Department of Ag and

Markets, also present were representatives from NY
Houndsmen, Assoc. Dog Clubs of NY, ASPCA, NYS
Humane Assoc., Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Pet Ind.
Joint Advisory Council, NY Masters of Fox Hounds, HSUS,
and the NYS Veterinary Medicine Assoc.
Dog-friendl y, dog- safe communities
for all New Yorkers
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The Department emphasizes that its primary goal for the 3. Socialization and exercise
series of meetings is to identify ways to improve The Department proposed the establishment of minimal
enforcement of pet dealer regulations in accordance with standards for the socialization and exercise for dogs
original legislative intent. Prior to commencement of the housed by pet dealers, and an increase in the minimum
size of primary enclosures for dogs.
meeting, Ag & Mkts identified three key areas for proposed
revision of current statutes:
The December 9 meeting focused nearly exclusively on
the proposed redefinition of “pet dealer.” While some
1. Redefining NYS “pet dealers”
meeting participants felt the proposed definition was not
Ag & Mkts proposed that persons housing more than
narrow enough, others – including DFNY – focused on
three intact female dogs that sell or offer to sell a single
how the proposal would negatively impact residential
dog, OR persons that sell or offer to sell 13 or more
dog breeders currently exempted from regulation, while
dogs be defined, regulated and inspected as “pet dealers”.
doing little to help the Department identify unlicensed,
The current exemption from regulation for residential
unlawful facilities.
breeders would be eliminated.

DFNY believes that it is inappropriate and

2. Veterinary care
Ag & Mkts proposed that pet dealers be required to
demonstrate a relationship with a primary veterinarian who
oversees health of animal stock and coordinates a program
of animal care with the pet dealer. The Department also
wants access to veterinary records.
counterproductive to require home, hobby, and
sports dog breeders to comply with regulations
modeled on USDA commercial licensing standards.
A proposal brought to the table by PIJAC and supported
by DFNY -- "a pet store shall not knowingly purchase a
dog for resale from any unlicensed dealer required to be
licensed under federal or state law" -- was well received
and has been forwarded to Ag & Mkts counsel for further
consideration.

Next meeting: Late January, 2010.

DogFederationofNew York.org
P O Box 547, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
DogFedNY@aol.com
 DOG FEDERATION OF NEW YORK PAGE 2
DECEMBER 2009
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Wishing You a Joyous Holiday Season!
DFNY runs the numbers

With all the discussion of pet dealers and purebred

license holders in Albany, we thought New York dog
owners and pet lovers might appreciate a little more
information on the NYS Pet Dealer program.

At present, anyone selling or offering for sale more than

nine dogs or cats per year is currently required to obtain
a pet dealer’s license and comply with regulations. Pet
breeders that sell or offer for sale directly to the public
fewer than 25 dogs or cats born and raised on their
residential premises are exempted from regulation.

NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets Pet Dealer

Program

• NYSDAM employs 20 licensed veterinary

technicians as inspectors.
• Enterprises are inspected upon application for
a pet dealer license, and annually thereafter.
• Additional visits may be made if items requiring
correction are identified at first inspection, or
upon complaint.
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Pet dealers: How many in New York? Home, hobby and sports breeders: How many ?

The following graphs are based on information provided
to DFNY by the New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets in November, 2009.
Good question! Numbers are hard to come by, especially
since these categories are informal and have never been
subject to regulation. “Purebred dog license” (often
mistakenly referred to as “kennel license”) data
provides an indication of the number of potential
additional “pet dealers” if changes are made to the
definition:
 DOG FEDERATION OF NEW YORK
DECEMBER 2009
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Dog Federation of NY Commends
Saratoga-area Deer Hunters
Trio rescued dog in desperate situation
On November 16, 2009 DFNY issued letters of
commendation and thanks to Ed Dandaraw, Tom
Peters and Kevin McCauliffe, the Saratoga-area deer
hunters whose quick response to a pet’s dire distress
saved her life. Dandaraw was hunting on his property
with his two companions when he came across the
cruelly taped and bound beagle. Daisy had been
covered with duct tape, wrapped in a plastic garbage
bag, and left to die in a swampy, remote area on
Dandaraw’s property. She had been missing from home
for two weeks.
Because of the difficult terrain, the men needed a four-
wheeler to get the dog to safety. A former beagle owner
himself, Dandaraw took the dog to his own veterinarian
and was prepared to provide Daisy with a new home if
her owners could not be located. Happily, the dog’s
distraught family was quickly identified and Daisy is
back home, responding well to treatment and gaining
weight steadily.
Join the Dog Federation of New York
DogFederationofNewYork.org
P O Box 547, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
PAGE 3
On behalf of dog lovers everywhere, DFNY
expressed gratitude to Ed Dandaraw, Tom Peters
and Kevin McCauliffe. Without their quick thinking
and commitment to saving her life, Daisy would
have died.
A confirmed animal lover who owns goats, chickens
and a cat, Dandaraw describes himself and his
hunting companions as “regular people” who didn’t
hesitate when help was needed. “The day we
rescued that little dog was one of the best days of
my life.”
The Saratoga County Sheriff's Department is in
charge of the investigation of the crime, and persons
with information are asked to contact the
Department at (518) 885-6761. Because Daisy’s
veterinary needs have been addressed and she is
recuperating well, the Dog Federation of New York
suggests that dog and animal lovers wishing to
make a contribution consider a donation to the local
animal shelter of their choice.
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Photo credits for this issue:
Many thanks to
Lynne Skinner (page 1)
PetsPhotography.com (page 2)
Georgianne Carney (page 3)
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Help DFNY help you
The Dog Federation of New York welcomes
individual dog owners and dog-related clubs and
organizations. A New York State not-for-profit, we
are the only organization focused on laws and legal
issues impacting responsible New York dog owners,
and we advocate for strong, humane legislation.
Visit our website, download an application, and join
us today!
DogFedNY@aol.com
© Dog Federation of New York 2009