Position Statements
Index
ANIMAL GIVE-A-WAYS OR FUNDRAISERS
2
ANIMALS IN VISITATION
2
BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
2
DOGS IN THE BACK OF PICK-UP TRUCKS
3
ELECTIVE/COSMETIC SURGERY
3
EVENTS AND CONTESTS INVOLVING ANIMALS
4
FACTORY FARMING AND THE CARE OF LIVESTOCK
4
HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS OF CRUELTY OR OTHER
ISSUES PERTAINING TO AN INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL AGENCY
5
HUNTING
5
MASS BREEDING/PUPPY OR KITTEN MILLS
6
NOVELTY, EXOTIC AND POCKET PETS
6
PETS IN HOUSING
7
PET SHOPS
7
PREPUBESCENT NEUTERING
8
RESEARCH AND PRODUCT TESTING
8
RODEOS
9
WILD ANIMALS
10
1
Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
ANIMAL GIVE-A-WAYS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies opposes the
use of animals as give-a-ways, door prizes, auction items or game contestants.
Our concern is for the welfare of the animals. Individuals or businesses allowing
animals to be used in events of this kind are sending the wrong message about
animals and our responsibility for them.
Animals may experience severe stress and/or injury if treated as inappropriate
entertainment, give-a-ways, or auction items. Local, state and federal laws may
prohibit such practices and the issue of insurance liability is too serious to ignore.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
ANIMALS IN VISITATION
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies supports the
use of animals in programs that promote healthy interaction between people and
animals. However, it insists on proper selection and supervision of pets used in
visitation programs which safeguard the welfare of both the animals and people
served.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies opposes any
legislation that deems a dog as dangerous based solely on their breed or
appearance. The Federation believes that dog owners should be responsible for
their dogs and does not believe that a dog poses a danger to society solely
because of its breed.
The Federation supports non-discriminatory legislation by which specific dogs are
identified as "dangerous" based on stated, measurable actions; imposes
appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners; and establishes a well-defined
method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
DOGS IN THE BACK OF PICK-UP TRUCKS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is opposed to
transporting or confining any domestic animal in a manner that jeopardizes the
safety of the animal or the public.
Transporting dogs or other small animals in the back of pick-up trucks is
inherently unsafe because the animal does not have the protection of the
vehicle’s side or roof structure.
This Federation believes it is best to secure dogs and other small animals within
the passenger area of pick-up trucks and other passenger vehicles.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
ELECTIVE/COSMETIC SURGERY
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies opposes any
form of elective, cosmetic or other unnecessary surgical procedure on companion
animals. Such procedures are painful, stressful, or restrictive to the function of a
body part and are performed solely for the benefit of the animal owner. Examples
of cosmetic/elective surgeries include declawing, debarking, defanging, ear
cropping and tail docking. This position does not include the surgical procedure
of spaying or neutering animals.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
EVENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is opposed to
any event that features or involves the abuse, torment or exploitation of animals.
The Federation has found that each year there are a variety of events, private,
local, state and national, organized for profit or entertainment that involve the
abuse of animals. Examples include circuses which involve animals in their
performance, zoos with cage confinement, dog racing, horse racing, bullfights,
donkey basketball, baseball, hockey or polo, “suicide” horse races, wildlife
roundups of animals such as rattlesnakes, rabbits or fox, greased pig contests,
calf scrambles, chicken races, turkey drops, animal fighting of dogs, pigs, finches,
roosters or any other companion or farm animal, and other similar events.
In no case are these events vital to the community. These events have a
desensitizing effect on adults and children, making them unsympathetic to the
suffering of other life forms and allowing them to believe that animal abuse and
exploitation can be thought of as an acceptable form of entertainment.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
FACTORY FARMING AND THE CARE OF LIVESTOCK
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is opposed to
the factory farming method of livestock management. The Federation believes
that any livestock management system environment should support natural
social behavior and include adequate temperature, ventilation and light. The
animals must be able to groom themselves, stand up, lie down, stretch their limbs
and turn around without difficulty. Animals should be protected from disease,
injury, equipment failure, fire and provided with veterinary care and appropriate
quantities of quality food and water.
Only humane procedures should be used when slaughtering food animals and
these procedures should be constantly monitored by appropriate authorities to
minimize the potential for pain and suffering. The Federation supports the
humane euthanasia of sick, injured or “spent” animals who will not enter the food
supply.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS OF CRUELTY OR OTHER ISSUES
PERTAINING TO AN INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL AGENCY
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is an advocate
of humane treatment and care of all animals whether they be privately owned,
commercially maintained or locally housed in an animal shelter. The Federation is
a support and educational organization, not a regulatory agency.
With this in mind, it is the position of the Washington State Federation of Animal
Care and Control Agencies that all reports of suspected cruelty, abuse or neglect
be referred directly to the proper local or state authorities for follow-up and /or
action. The Federation, however, will continue to make itself available in an
advisory capacity.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING HUNTING
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is opposed to
the hunting of any living creature for fun, a trophy or for simple sport. The
Federation further believes that sport hunting exploits animals for the
entertainment of the hunter and is contrary to the values of compassion and
respect for all life that are the basis for our existence as an animal welfare
organization.
The Federation finds that wildlife management often consists of enhancing
habitat that favors “game” species, which creates an overpopulation of animals
for the purpose of sport hunting. We oppose these practices and favor wildlife
“management” requiring the least human manipulation, favoring all wildlife in an
ecosystem equally.
The Federation considers sport hunting a violation of the inherent integrity of
animals and disruptive of the natural balance of the environment through human
manipulation.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
MASS BREEDING/PUPPY OR KITTEN MILLS
The mass breeding of dogs and cats for the commercial pet market has resulted
in numerous “puppy mills” or “kitten mills” in which animals suffer abuse and
physical stress from poor care and facilities. In many cases, the animals suffer
from exposure to extremes of heat and cold due to inadequate shelter and lack
of sufficient food and water. They live in filthy conditions which foster disease
and frequently suffer from the absence of veterinary care. Adults are bred
excessively and often spend their entire lives in small runs or cages.
Neglect of emotional needs due to lack of socialization, isolation and the trauma
of transportation at an early age is a serious problem. In addition, ignorance of
indifference to good breeding practices often results in animals with genetic
problems.
The Federation opposes the mass breeding of puppies and kittens for profit
because of the suffering and exploitation of the animals involved and because of
unnecessary addition of hundreds of thousands of animals to an already tragic
overpopulation of pets. The Washington State Federation seeks to eliminate
mass breeding establishments through enforcement of current laws and
regulations, enactment of legislation and public education to eliminate the
market for such animals.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
NOVELTY, EXOTIC AND POCKET PETS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies opposes the
sale or purchase of animals as novelty pets. Often times a chick, duck, rabbit,
reptile, exotic pet or pocket pets such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and other
rodents are acquired on impulse in response to novel appeal by people possibly
ignorant of the animal’s needs. The Washington Federation of Animal Care and
Control Agencies discourages giving animals as gifts at Easter and other holidays
when animals have a novelty appeal.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
PETS IN HOUSING
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies believes that
pet owners can be responsible tenants. Animal shelters receive many animals
released by their owners because “landlords won’t allow” animals in their houses,
apartments or condominiums. The Washington Federation encourages landlords
and tenants to work together in establishing appropriate requirements for
allowing pets and establishing reasonable pet deposit rates.
This cooperation will benefit both the landlords and tenants and will help to solve
the problem of overcrowded animal shelters in our state.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
PET SHOPS
Pet shops in the State of Washington are largely unregulated, and without proper
regulations and inspection, the animals may suffer abuse and physical stress from
poor care and facilities. The animals are often purchased from puppy/kitten mills
that are contributing to animal suffering and overpopulation. They sometimes
live in conditions that foster disease and suffer from the absence of proper
veterinary are. Further, they may be disposed of by inhumane means if they are
not sold, or if they become sick or injured.
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies supports the
establishment of minimum standards for living conditions and care for animals in
pet shops. The Federation believes that pet shops should be required to
maintain complete records and origin of animals on hand. Further, pet shops
should be subject to regular inspections and forfeiture of license if irregularities
are proven, and finally, if the animal is euthanized, it shall be euthanized in a
humane manner.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
PREPUBESCENT NEUTERING
Animal shelters across the country, both public and private, house and dispose of
millions of dogs and cats relinquished by individuals or caused by uncontrolled
breeding.
Preventing the proliferation of these unwanted pets could dramatically decrease
their numbers and result in unavoidable deaths. Therefore, the Washington
Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies believes that no dog or cat
adopted from a shelter should be allowed to reproduce.
To ensure that all adopted animals are unable to reproduce, surgery must be
performed prior to adoption. Unfortunately, not all shelters have the capability
to neuter animals, and those that possess these resources may not neuter
animals before puberty due to concerns of biological and psychological effects or
traditional beliefs. Because of this, they may opt to adopt the animals out with an
agreement that the adopter ensure the procedure is completed in a timely
manner. In the experience of The Federation, even with spay/neuter contracts and
follow-up reminders by shelters, many animals adopted out unaltered remain
unaltered, which increases the animal population.
The research available on the physical, behavioral, short and long-term effects of
prepubescent neutering in dogs and cats shows no adverse results. Therefore,
The Federation supports this practice as a solution to decreasing pet
overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths.
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
ANIMAL RESEARCH AND PRODUCT TESTING
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies believes that
cruel and inhumane research and product testing on animals promotes animal
suffering. The Federation believes that non-animal methods for research and
product testing should always be explored and used in private business
applications and university research projects.
8
Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
RODEOS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies is opposed to
exploitative and cruel events which take place in rodeos. Rodeos are defined as
sanctioned or unsanctioned events where activities involving animals such as calf
roping, goat roping, greased pig contests or racing, bull riding, steer busting and
bronco riding are held in front of an audience.
The Federation believes that as a sport, the rodeo exposes participating animals
to undue stress and repetitively subjects them to the high risk of pain, torment,
harassment, stress, injury and often death from such abuses as being thrown to
the ground, electrically prodded or roped around the neck. The Federation is
opposed to the use of devices such as electrical prods, sharpened sticks, spurs,
flank straps and other rodeo tack used to induce animals to react violently. We
find these abuses cannot be justified.
The Federation also rejects the concept that rodeos are a harmless showing of a
part of the American heritage or a portrayal of ranching skills. They in fact
display and encourage an insensitivity to and acceptance of the brutal treatment
of animals in the name of sport, and they promote an image which is not in line
with modern ranching practices. Such callous disregard for our moral obligations
towards other living creatures has a negative impact on society as a whole and
on impressionable children specifically. The Federation believes that exposure to
rodeos is not in the best interest of children as it teaches them that tolerance of
inhumane treatment of animals is appropriate in the name of competition or
entertainment.
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Revised 10.13.11
POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING
WILD ANIMALS
The Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies believes that
wild animals are best served by being allowed to live undisturbed in their natural
environment. The Federation believes that wild animals should not be owned as
household pets or property and should not be used for commercial exploitation.
It is illegal in the state of Washington to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife
without a permit. Legitimate wildlife rehabilitation facilities will typically have
state (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) and federal (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service) permits.
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Revised 10.13.11