DELEGA TES QU AR TERL Y MEETING JA N U A RY 2006

DELEGATES QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 2006Greater Fredericksburg Kennel Club—Nalena A.KlaasGreater Freeport Illinois Kennel Club—Ronald H.MenakerGreater Lowell Kennel Club, Inc.—Virginia M.O’ConnellGreater Miami Dog Club—Pedro CofinoGreater Naples Dog Club—Bill PottebaumGreenville Kennel Club—Linda A. KnorrGreyhound Club of America—Melanie SteeleHarrisburg Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Cynthia A.MillerHatboro Dog Club, Inc.—Mr. Robert D. BlackHawaiian Kennel Club—Norman B. KenneyHockamock Kennel Club, Inc.—Nancy FiskHollywood Dog Obedience Club, Inc.—Jan WolfHouston Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Carol A.WilliamsonHuntingdon Valley Kennel Club, Inc.—Dick BlairHuntington Kennel Club, Inc.—Gwen McCullaghIbizan Hound Club of the United States—Luane V.WilliamsIdaho Capital City Kennel Club, Inc.—WyomaCloussIngham County Kennel Club, Inc.—Rita J. BiddleInland Empire Kennel Association, Inc.—LawrenceColemanIrish Setter Club of America, Inc.—Mrs. Constance B. VanacoreIrish Wolfhound Club of America—Eugenia HunterItalian Greyhound Club of America, Inc.—SondraKatzJefferson County Kennel Club of Missouri—Cledith WakefieldK-9 Obedience Training Club of Essex County, NJ,Inc.—Mrs. Pam GoldmanKanadasaga Kennel Club—Mrs. Beverly M.NosigliaKeeshond Club of America, Inc.—Mr. John D.SawickiKenilworth Kennel Club of Connecticut, Inc.—Mrs.Gwen WexlerKennel Club of Beverly Hills—Polly FlemingKennel Club of Buffalo, Inc.—Carole PlesurKennel Club of Niagara Falls—Mrs. Florence L.PrawelKennel Club of Philadelphia, Inc.—Charles H.SchaeferKennel Club of Riverside—Sylvia ThomasKettle Moraine Kennel Club, Inc.—Paulann PhelanKey City Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. Fred C. Bock, IIKomondor Club of America, Inc.—Eric LiebesLabrador Retriever Club, Inc.—Mr. A. N. SillsLackawanna Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Virginia VanDorenLadies’ Dog Club, Inc.—Ms. Virginia T. RowlandLakeland Winter Haven Kennel Club—SylviaMeiselsLakes Region Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Crecia C.ClossonLancaster Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Cynthia L. GarmanLand O’ Lakes Kennel Club, Inc.—Robert L. Kelly2J ANUARY 20 0 6Langley Kennel Club—Ms. Dianne E. FranckLawrence Jayhawk Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. BryantC. FreemanLawrenceville Kennel Club, Inc.—Robert LaBergeLewiston-Auburn Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. SueGoldbergLima Kennel Club—Ellen FetterLouisiana Kennel Club, Inc.—Luis F. SosaLouisville Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Betty F. WilliamsMacon Kennel Club—Nell StumpffMagic Valley Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. Sandra B.BarkerManitowoc County Kennel Club, Inc.—RomanaArnoldMarion Ohio Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. J. C. GarvinMastiff Club of America, Inc.—Dr. William R.NewmanMedina Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Pat DresserMensona Kennel Club, Inc.—John S. Fitzpatrick,D.V.M.Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club—JohnRussellMiddlesex County Kennel Club—Robert A. Procter, Jr.Midwest Field Trial Club, Inc.—Mr. MarshallSimondsMiniature Bull Terrier Club of America—GiselleSimondsMispillion Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Blackie H.NygoodMississippi Valley Kennel Club—Mrs. GretchenBernardiMississippi Valley Retriever Club—Robert H. McKowenMohawk Valley Kennel Club—Mrs. Sandra HaberMonmouth County Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. HelmiKonderockMonticello New York Kennel Club, Inc.—James M.BurnsMount Vernon Dog Training Club—Mrs. Ruth W.CrumbMountain States Dog Training Club, Inc.—John D.LandisMountaineer Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Rebecca S.StanevichMt. Baker Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Judith V.DanielsNashville Kennel Club—James EfronNational Beagle Club—Eddie DziukNational Capital Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. CatherineB. NelsonNaugatuck Valley Kennel Club—Mrs. Viola BurgosNew England Dog Training Club, Inc.—Liz SullivanNew England Old English Sheepdog Club—Mrs.Jane C. OggNewtown Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Diane F. TaylorNisqually Kennel Club—R. H. HachtelNorth Shore Kennel Club—Richard F. ColettiNortheastern Indiana Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs.Mary P. OsbunNorthwestern Connecticut Dog Club, Inc.—BilliePontonNorwegian Elkhound Association of America,Inc.—Sherry FalkOakland County Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. Alan D.DorfmanObedience Training Club of Hawaii, Inc.—Ms.Patricia C. ScullyObedience Training Club of Rhode Island—JamesM. AshtonOld English Sheepdog Club of America, Inc.—Dr.Hugh JordanOlympic Kennel Club, Inc.—Harvey A. MuellerOnondaga Kennel Association, Inc.—Judy F. MurrayOtterhound Club of America—Mark J. HawleyOzarks Kennel Club, Inc.—Mark A. ChambersPacific Coast Boston Terrier Club—Mr. Carl E.GomesPanhandle Kennel Club of Texas, Inc.—Mrs.Geraldine M. ShastidPapillon Club of America, Inc.—Ms. Arlene A.CzechPark Shore Kennel Club, Inc.—Mr. BernardSchwartzPembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Inc.—Judy A. HartPenn Ridge Kennel Club, Inc.—Marieann GladstonePenn Treaty Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Jean AndersonPetit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America—Anne Gallant, Ph.D.Philadelphia Dog Training Club, Inc.—ChristineAllenPiedmont Kennel Club, Inc.—Joachim BlutreichPioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. MargaretVohrPlainfield Kennel Club—John McCullaghPlum Creek Kennel Club of Colorado—CharlesMcWilliamsPortland Dog Obedience Club, Inc.—James PrimmerPortuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc.—Karen ArendsProvidence County Kennel Club, Inc.—Kerstin T.OttmarPug Dog Club of America, Inc.—Michelle R.AndersonQueen City Dog Training Club, Inc.—SandraSchmidtRapid City Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Sally J. NistReno Kennel Club—Mr. Steven D. GladstoneRhode Island Kennel Club, Inc.—Gerard BaudetRhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States,Inc.—Mr. George D. SextonRichland County Kennel Club, Inc.—Ms. Shirley L.BoyerRichland Kennel Club, Inc.—Donald B. HarrisRichmond Dog Fanciers Club, Inc.—Jan M.RitchieRio Grande Kennel Club—Mr. William H. GreenRockingham County Kennel Club, Inc.—Janice S.GardnerRubber City Kennel Club—Marcy L. Zingler

DELEGATES QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 2006Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club—Mrs. BarbaraFurbushSaluki Club of America—Joseph P. PendrySammamish Kennel Club—Robert GlosterSamoyed Club of America, Inc.—Mr. John L.RonaldSan Francisco Dog Training Club, Inc.—Stanley S.SaltzmanSanta Ana Valley Kennel Club, Inc.—Tom BrownSanta Barbara Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Abbe ShawSanta Clara Valley Kennel Club, INC.—James R.DokSanta Maria Kennel Club, Inc.—Laurence J. LibeuSaratoga New York Kennel Club—Jessica EgglestonScottish Deerhound Club of America, Inc.—SallyPooleScottish Terrier Club of America—John McNabneyScottsdale Dog Fanciers Association, Inc.—NancyPerrellSeattle Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. Lynne M. MyallShoreline Dog Fanciers Association of OrangeCounty—Susan L. HamilShreveport Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. Sam F. Burke,Jr.Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc.—Ms. DonnaBeckmanSir Francis Drake Kennel Club, Inc—William J.FeeneySkye Terrier Club of America—Mr. Walter F.GoodmanSoft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America—Cindy VogelsSouth Hills Kennel Club—Mrs. Kathleen R. ParksSouth Shore Kennel Club, Inc.—Linda C. FlynnSouth Windsor Kennel Club—Margarette (Peggy)WampoldSouthern Adirondack Dog Club, Inc.—Dr. John V.IoiaSouthern Colorado Kennel Club, Inc.—Lee ArnoldSpringfield Kennel Club, Inc.—Dr. Thomas M.DaviesSt. Joseph Kennel Club, Inc.—Thomas W. CarnealSt. Petersburg Dog Fanciers Association—Dr.Gerry MeiselsStaffordshire Terrier Club of America—I. L. Brisbin, Ph.D.Standard Schnauzer Club of America—Kathy A.DonovanSteel City Kennel Club, Inc.—Miss Susan M.NapadySun Maid Kennel Club of Fresno, Inc.—Paullet DeLongSusque-Nango Kennel Club, Inc.—Thomas D. ParrottiSussex Hills Kennel Club, Inc.—Mrs. FlorenceDugganTennessee Valley Kennel Club—Karen ClausingTexas Kennel Club, Inc.—Steve SchmidtTibetan Spaniel Club of America—Mr. Herbert H.RosenTonawanda Valley Kennel Club, Inc.—WilliamHosslerTrap Falls Kennel Club, Inc.—Laura WellsTroy Kennel Club, Inc.—John J. Cadalso, Jr.Tualatin Kennel Club, Inc.—James S. CorbettTucson Kennel Club—Pat JacobsUnion County Kennel Club, Inc.—Carlotta DennieUnited States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc.—Mr.Carl C. Ashby, IIIUnited States Lakeland Terrier Club—Alfred J. FerruggiaroUpper Potomac Valley Kennel Club—J. M. HadererUpper Suncoast Dog Training Club—William H.BlairVacationland Dog Club, Inc.—Iris K. FrankelVizsla Club of America, Inc.—Ms. Lynn WorthWachusett Kennel Club, Inc.—Suzanne GrayWaukesha Kennel Club, Inc.—Nancy C. RussellWest Highland White Terrier Club of America—Carolyn M. GardnerWest Volusia Kennel Club—Ferdinand ReinliebWestern Reserve Kennel Club, Inc.—Mr. WilliamA. RussettWestminster Kennel Club—William F. StifelWichita Kennel Club, Inc.—Milli DoldWindham County Kennel Club, Inc.—Frederick R.VogelWindward Hawaiian Dog Fanciers Association—Mrs. Karen MaysWomen’s Field Trial Club—Judy RasmusonWoodstock Dog Club, Inc.—Mrs. Jan MarshallDennis B. Sprung, President in theChair.Mr. Sprung: Good morning. Themeeting will come to order.If there is any Delegate present whohas not signed the attendance record,please be sure to do so before leaving,as this is the official record of attendance.If a Delegate makes a amendment tothe Bylaws or rules to be voted upontoday, please provide a written copy tothe Executive Secretary. It is mostimportant that the Executive Secretaryhas the specific wording, as this willgreatly enhance our ability to projectthe precise words to be considered onthe screen.At a convenient point in this meeting, at about 11:30 a.m., we will breakfor lunch. Following lunch, we willreconvene in this room.The Chair would like to introducethe persons seated with me on thepodium. On my immediate left is ourChairman, Ron Menaker. To his left isVice Chairman, David Merriam. Onmy right is Doris Abbate, ProfessionalRegistered Parliamentarian. To herright is Jim Crowley, the ExecutiveSecretary. And to Jim’s right is JoanPitt, the court reporter.New Delegates have been requestedto submit a photograph for publicationin the AKC GAZETTE. Any Delegatewho has not submitted a photographand wishes to do so, please see thephotographer during a recess or afteradjournment.It is my sad duty to inform you ofthe passing of two Delegates: BeverlyCobb, Delegate for the Santa ClaraDog Training Club since June of 1985,and Karen Sofield, Delegate for theNassau Dog Training Club since Mayof 1998.The Chair calls on Jim Crowley toread the names of Delegates who havebeen seated since our last hearing.Mr. Crowley: These Delegates havebeen seated since the last meeting:Stephanie Abraham, Scotland, Connecticut, to represent the AmericanBoxer ClubWilliam Blair, Greenwich, Connecticut, to represent Upper Suncoast DogTraining ClubI. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., Aiken, SouthCarolina, to represent StaffordshireTerrier Club of AmericaTom Brown, Santa Ana, California,to represent Santa Ana Valley KennelClubFrancesca J. Castanenda, Pawtucket,Rhode Island, to represent BulldogClub of New EnglandPedro A. Cofino, Esquire, MiamiBeach, Florida, to represent GreaterMiami Dog ClubPaullet De Long, Castro Valley, California, to represent Sun Maid KennelClub of FresnoBarbara M. Dille, White Plains, NewYork, to represent Saw Mill River Kennel ClubKathy A. Donovan, Norwalk, Connecticut, to represent Standard Schnauzer Club of AmericaClaudia Frank, Greenfield, Ohio, torepresent Border Collie Society ofAmericaMartha G. Griffin, Pell City, Alabama, to represent Birmingham KennelClubPat Jacobs, Tucson, Arizona, to represent Tucson Kennel ClubNalena A. Klaas, King George, Virginia, to represent Greater Fredericksburg Kennel ClubHelmi Konderock, MonmouthBeach, New Jersey, to represent Monmouth County Kennel ClubJ ANUARY 20063

DELEGATES QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 2006Ann Lettis, Staten Island, New York,to represent Staffordshire Bull TerrierClub of AmericaJoseph P. Pendry, Freedom, California, to represent Saluki Club of AmericaPaulann S. Phelan, West Bend, Wisconsin, to represent Kettle MoraineKennel ClubBillie Ponton, Bethlehem, Connecticut, to represent Northwestern Connecticut Dog ClubMichelle Ritter, Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, to represent Pocono Mountain Kennel ClubThomson P. Stanfield, Jr., CommerceCity, Colorado, to represent Terry-AllKennel ClubMarlene Steinberg, Southampton,Pennsylvania, to represent GreaterPhiladelphia Dog Fanciers AssociationLinda C. Wozniak, Chapel Hill,North Carolina, to represent DurhamKennel Club.The following Delegates, who wereattending their first meeting sinceapproval, were introduced from thefloor:Stephanie Abraham, Scotland, CT,to represent the American Boxer ClubDon Adams, Franklin, WI, to represent Cudahy Kennel ClubWilliam H. Blair, Greenwich, CT torepresent Upper Suncoast Dog Training ClubI. Lehr Brisbin, Jr., Aiken, SC, torepresent Staffordshire Terrier Club ofAmericaTom Brown, Santa Ana, CA, to represent Santa Ana Valley Kennel ClubFrancesca J. Castaneda, Pawtucket,RI, to represent Bulldog Club ofAmericaDr. Mark Chambers, Strafford, MO,to represent Ozarks Kennel ClubPedro A. Cofino, Esq., Miami Beach,FL, to represent Greater Miami DogClubPaullet De Long, Castro Valley, CA,to represent Sun Maid Kennel Club ofFresnoKathy A. Donovan, Norwalk, CT, torepresent Standard Schnauzer Club ofAmericaClaudia Frank, Greenfield, OH, torepresent Border Collie Society ofAmericaPat Jacobs, Tucson, AZ, to representTucson Kennel Club4J ANUARY 20 0 6Peggy Kessler, Keswick, VA, to represent Charlottesville-Albermarle Kennel ClubNalena A. Klaas, King George, VA,to represent Greater FredericksburgKennel ClubHelmi Konderock, MonmouthBeach, NJ, to represent MonmouthCounty Kennel ClubJoseph P. Pendry, Freedom, CA, torepresent Saluki Club of AmericaPaulaan S. Phelan, West Bend, WI,to represent Kettle Moraine KennelClubBillie Ponton, Bethlehem, CT, torepresent, Northwestern ConnecticutDog ClubSandra Schmidt, Cincinnati, OH, torepresent Queen City Dog TrainingClubLinda C. Wozniak, Chapel Hill, NC,to represent Durham Kennel ClubMr. Sprung: Thank you and a sincere welcome to all of our new delegates.The minutes of the September 13th,2005 Delegates meeting were published in the October, 2005 AKCGAZETTE and mailed to all Delegates.If there are no corrections, the minuteswill stand approved as published.Hearing no corrections, the minutesstand as approved. The next item is theapproval of new member clubs. Thefollowing clubs have been approved byyour Board of Directors and will bevoted upon at this meeting:Cambridge Minnesota Kennel Club;Canaan Dog Club of America;Kachina Kennel Club, Glendale,ArizonaMyrtle Beach Kennel Club, MyrtleBeach, South CarolinaSilver State Kennel Club, Las Vegas,NevadaIn accordance with the Bylaws, awritten ballot shall be required ifrequested in writing by at least fiveDelegates, made to the Executive Secretary of the AKC seven days prior tothe start of the meeting at which election is scheduled. The Chair has beenadvised by the Executive Secretarythat no such request has been received.We will therefore proceed with the voting. An affirmative vote of four-fifths ofall Delegates is required to elect.The question is on the election of theCambridge Minnesota Kennel Club asa member of The American KennelClub.Those in favor, please raise yourhand.Thank you.Those opposed, please raise yourhand.Thank you.There are four-fifths in the affirmative.The Chair declares that the Cambridge Minnesota Kennel Club hasbeen duly elected a member of TheAmerican Kennel Club.The question is on the election of theCanaan Dog Club of America a member of The AKC. Those in favor,please raise your hand.Thank you.Those opposed, please raise yourhand.Thank you.There are four-fifths in the affirmative.The Chair declares the Canaan DogClub of America has been duly electedas a member of The American KennelClub.The question is on the election of theKachina Kennel Club as a member ofThe American Kennel Club.Those in favor, please raise yourhand.Thank you.Those opposed, please raise yourhand. Thank you.There were four-fifths in the affirmative.The Chair declares the KachinaKennel Club has been duly elected asa member of the American KennelClub.The question is on the election of theMyrtle Beach Kennel Club as a member of The American Kennel Club.Those in favor, please raise yourhand.Thank you.Those opposed, please raise yourhand.Thank you.There are four-fifths in the affirmative.The Chair declares that MyrtleBeach Kennel Club has been dulyelected as a member of the AKC.The question is on the election of theSilver State Kennel Club as a memberof The American Kennel Club.

DELEGATES QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 2006Those in favor, please raise yourhand.Thank you.Those opposed, please raise yourhand.Thank you.There are four-fifths in the affirmative.The Silver State Kennel Club hasbeen duly elected a member of TheAmerican Kennel Club.I now call on Mr. Menaker for theChairman’s report.Mr. Menaker: Good morning. 2005was an outstanding year for AKC. Revenues far exceeded our expectationsand management continued to do asuperior job of controlling expenses.In that regard, I am pleased to reportthat in 2005 AKC contributed 1.7million to the Canine Health Foundation. We also contributed 300,000toward scholarships for veterinary andundergraduate students. In addition,we contributed 170,000 to the AKCMuseum of the Dog.As you know, 2005 was the year ofdevastating Hurricanes Katrina andRita and posed a challenging year interms of disaster relief for AKC. Forthe first time ever, we sent staff to theaffected areas to assist with the needsof displaced animals. Many individuals, as well as 545 clubs and organizations, made donations to theAKC/CAR Canine Support and ReliefFund. Donations totaled more than 1million, and to date more than 900,000 has been disbursed for rescueand relief efforts.Members of the fancy donated various supplies at dog shows, and clubscollected donations at AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day across thecountry.I wish to thank Delegates DianeAlbers, Carol Williamson, Carl Holderand Susan Hamil for their leadershiproles in the relief efforts, and also tothose in the fancy who stepped up tothe plate to assist in times of need.After several months of workingclosely with staff and consultants andgathering input from the Delegatebody, the Board approved the formalstrategic plan late last year. Staff is nowimplementing those recommendations.Our online litter registration serviceexperienced exceptional growth of 50percent in 2005. Late in the year, wereached an all-time high: in the monthof December, 47 percent of all littersregistered with the AKC were registered online.Our licensing program has grownsignificantly this year, not only increasing our visibility, but enhancing ourbottom line. We now have AKClicensed products in stores such as Target, Petco, Petsmart, Lord & Taylor andthe premier toy store FAO Schwarz.This spring, we will be adding WalMart to that list.Our AKC Visa card program continues to celebrate the public’s love ofpurebred dogs while contributing significantly to the AKC’s bottom line.Look for our brand new AKC agilitycards from Chase, which showcase oneof our most popular sports. Otherbranding efforts this year includeexpanded use of AKC signage atshows and events across the country.During the past year, we continuedto enjoy a high level of visibility in themedia with positive messages aboutAKC, the sport, and responsible dogownership. Our advertisements, publicservice announcements and publicrelations initiatives in print, radio andtelevision reached out to hundreds ofmillions of households nationwide.This year’s third annual AKCResponsible Dog Ownership Dayreached thousands at the grass rootslevel. Two well-attended flagshipevents were held in New York City andRaleigh, and more than 350 clubs andorganizations held their own events.Certainly one of the busiest areas forAKC in 2005 was canine legislation.Our canine legislation departmentworked on more than 500 bills andordinances nationwide. On the federallevel we saw the introduction of the PetAnimal Welfare Statute of 2005,PAWS.Many of you have asked for a PAWSupdate. It is my firm belief that theBoard took appropriate action byworking proactively with the bill’s cosponsors. I am very optimistic that as aresult of our involvement in theprocess, we will see a redraft of the billthat will significantly benefit the welfare of dogs without imposing unreasonable burdens or restrictions on ourconstituents. At the conclusion of theseremarks, I will read a letter I recentlyreceived from Senator Santorum, inwhich he described some of thechanges that are being made to PAWSas a direct result of our input. An additional important benefit of our proactive involvement is the positive relationship we have established withmany of our legislators on Capitol Hill.I would like to express my thanks toDirector Steve Gladstone for the significant time he spent assisting in theredraft of this bill and for attendingmultiple meetings with me on CapitolHill.And, finally, I am very pleased thatmany of you were able to attend thisyear’s AKC/ Eukanuba NationalChampionship. Once again we offereddog lovers all over the country theexcitement of a live format simulcaston two television stations nationwide.We had our largest entry ever, a totalof more than 3400 for the weekend’sthree events. All 165 AKC breeds andvarieties and all 50 states and 20 countries were represented. I also want toacknowledge the hard work and creative efforts that more than 140 ParentsClubs put into the very popular AKCMeet the Breeds.I would like to thank you all forbeing here, and a special thanks tothose who assisted during the show. Ialso want to acknowledge the entirestaff for all of their hard work, dedication and contributions to the sport ofpurebred dogs during 2005. It is myprivilege to work with them and withyou, and I look forward to an exciting2006. Thank you very much.January 13, 2006Mr. Ronald MenakerChairman of the BoardThe American Kennel Club260 Madison AvenueNew York, NY 10016Dear Chairman:I am writing you to thank you onceagain for your participation in theSubcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation’s hearing on the Pet Animal WelfareStatute of 2005, (PAWS), and to giveyou a progress report on PAWS.First, I am pleased to report thatsince the hearing we have added 14co-sponsors here in the Senate, sothat by the time we recessed inDecember, PAWS had 23 Senate cosponsors. The companion bill in theJ ANUARY 20065

DELEGATES QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 2006House of Representatives has 129co-sponsors. Second, I stated at theNovember hearing that I planed tomake a number of additions andimprovements on PAWS to addressissues raised at the hearing and inthe discussion of the legislation thathas taken place before and since thehearing. Although we were unable tocomplete the process by the Christmas recess, as I had originallyhoped, we have been working hardon it, and I am pleased to report thatI expect to release a discussion draftby the end of this month.This discussion draft will include theprovisions I outlined at the hearing,including a clarification of thenumerical criteria for “dealers” andan explicit exemption for shelter andrescue organizations and clarificationof the definition of “retail pet store.”This draft will also clarify that persons who sell dogs for hunting, security or breeding purposes cannot besingled out for any special treatmentunder the Act.I am particularly pleased to report toyou that this discussion draft willalso include a provision exemptingfrom the definition of dealer retailsellers of dogs and cats who are incompliance with the standards ofnot-for-profit organizations such asthe American Kennel Club, whohave kennel standards and inspection programs that the Secretary ofAgriculture has certified are at leastas effective as those required underthe Animal Welfare Act.As you know, writing good legislation is an ongoing and painstakingprocess. I believe that with the helpof the American Kennel Club andother interested organizations, weare creating an outstanding piece oflegislation that will benefit the welfare of dogs and other animalsimmediately and far into the future.Finally, I want to offer my congratulations and best wishes to the American Kennel Club on the occasion ofyour nationally televised Nationa

Gloucester County Kennel Club, Inc.Ñ Carole Richards Golden Retriever Club of AmericaÑ Mr. Howard Falberg Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.Ñ Susan DeSilver Great Pyrenees Club of America, Inc.Ñ Dr. Robert M. Brown Greater Clark County Kennel Club IncÑ Ms. Karen J. Burgess Greater Collin Kennel Club, Inc.Ñ David Keene JA N U A R Y 2 0 0 6 1