While I, your constituent, appreciate your efforts on behalf of animal welfare, I believe that the end result of Assembly Bill 536 (AB 536) will certainly not benefit animals nor will it deal with the problems that need most to be addressed and I ask that you move to oppose the Bill.

I'm concerned that AB 536 does not distinguish hobby breeders who breed for the health of the animals, animal shelters and humane societies, who's work you are undoubtedly familiar with and volunteer rescue organizations that exist solely for the welfare of animals from profit driven entities such as the so-called puppy "mills" or retail establishments.

This is of concern to me because these puppy "mills" and retail establishments serve to aggravate the shelter overpopulation and pet retention problems in Wisconsin by not sterilizing or require to be sterilized the pets they sell, while the vast majority of the hobby breeders, rescuers, and humane societies do require such measures.

These entities also breed genetically unhealthy animals or animals with poor temperament with no concern beyond their financial profits which puts the tax-paying consumer at risk, unlike responsible hobby breeders who will likely be driven out of their hobby by this legislation.

Without distinguishing between these groups, AB536 will most certainly not benefit animals, deal with problems that need to be address nor will it protect the end consumer and I ask that you oppose it.

(Remember: Check one or two of the following paragraphs to include in your letter)
	AB536 would subject small-scale hobby breeders animal to inappropriate large-scale facilities standards. These standards could prevent them from continuing to adequately raise and socialize the kittens and puppies they sell. These standards could also prevent volunteer rescuers from retraining cats who have inappropriate urination issues to use their litter box because to assess the efficacy of training, a cat must be allowed to run loose on rugs in a furnished home. This could result in these cats being euthanized as being unadoptable. Small scale hobby breed for qualities such as health, longevity and proper temperament and raise their puppies and kitten "underfoot" in their homes which is essential for proper socialization resulting in better temperament. AB536 would actually hurt the people who take the time and effort to assure an animal's welfare in includes shelters and volunteer rescue organizations who perform a public service at no cost to taxpayers.
	The arbitrary threshold number of 25 animals per year that is proposed would target the most responsible and conscientious breeders and volunteer rescue organizations. Furthermore, there is no distinction made to differentiate between people and organizations like hobby breeders and volunteer rescues who would choose to comply with the laws and a so-called "hoarder" who would be highly unlikely to comply with the law and apply for a license.
	The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), supported by the Supreme Court of the United States, determined that animal welfare is best served by inspecting commercial breeders who sell at wholesale. The USDA did not see the need to perform intrusive inspections of the homes of private citizens. Why would the State of Wisconsin see the need?
	In Colorado, upon whose "Facilities Inspection Act" AB 536 is based, responsible hobby breeders have chosen to discontinue their hobby rather than license. Responsible hobby breeders are the best source of well-tempered, genetically healthy animals to the public. Responsible hobby breeders also contribute in many ways toward improving the welfare of all pets by placing more emphasis on socialization and health than they do gross profits. They are also a major source of support for veterinary research and assist or support many volunteer rescue organizations and shelters. Such hobby breeders have primary jobs for their main income and raise animals as a dedicated activity in which animal husbandry, standards of care, sale of animals and breeding decisions are not based on any expectation of profit - they are based upon expectations of improving the health, personality and beauty of the breed. They raise their kittens and puppies underfoot with plenty of humane interaction. It is the responsible breeders and volunteer rescuers who are being driven out of their hobby/avocation in Colorado, while those that see breeding solely as a commercial, for-profit enterprise are affected to a far lesser extent or not at all, since many are already USDA licensed. Very few, if any commercial breeders participate in veterinary research, volunteer rescue or their local humane shelters where many of their animals wind up.
	While I recognize that there are a few irresponsible, smaller breeders who breed cats and dogs only for profit with no interest to genetic health or good temperament, that do not educate buyers, nor care about the health, welfare, and future of the puppies and kittens they produce , this bill is inherentlly unfair to the responsible breeders. It is as unfair as requiring that all human parents be licensed and inspected because of the irresponsibility of the ones who chose to neglect or abuse their human children.

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Thank you for your attention on this matter and thank you for voting against AB536.

Sincerely,