USDA Open COmments on New Animal Care Rules
January 24, 2023 - On January 6, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted a notice regarding their upcoming plan to revamp regulations within the Animal Welfare Act. Essentially it looks like the public awareness and outcry after the Tiger King phenomenon has led to pressure to reevaluate how regulations on captive exotics and wildlife are handled. A side benefit of this is also to reevaluate the overall regulations regarding the standards of care, handling, and environmental enrichment for all species, including cats and dogs.
From now until March 10, 2023, everyone has the opportunity to submit comments to the USDA that will be considered when the organization writes its proposed rule for changes affecting those areas. This can be anything and everything from general comments about the direction and need for protection of these animals, to specific changes you'd like to see.
General comments are helpful in setting the tone and direction the USDA will take. When looking at the actual language of the rule, the most helpful comments are ones that are clear and concise with individual needs and have references, resources, or research included in the comment to help offer the USDA a scientific basis or real world example behind why a specific requirement should be added into the rules. Kathleen Summers from HSUS has also offered up her contact information at [email protected] if you would like additional guidelines and info on what to write.
If you are interested in submitting a comment, you can do so here at regulations.gov for the proposed rule. Also at that link you can view all of the currently posted comments to get a better idea of what to submit. On the other Document Details tab on that page, you can see the details and background behind the proposed rules.
You can be absolutely sure that the people on the other side of this rule who hunt, slaughter, abuse, and exploit these animals are also going to be making comments, so the more voices coming through on our end the better.
UPDATE (5/4/2023) - The WFHS submitted comments on behalf of our organization to help strengthen regulations protecting animals, increasing the safety and quality of exotic animal owners, and hopefully to limit the terrible conditions of puppy mills and testing facilities. CLICK HERE to see a PDF of our comments submitted to the FDA.
From now until March 10, 2023, everyone has the opportunity to submit comments to the USDA that will be considered when the organization writes its proposed rule for changes affecting those areas. This can be anything and everything from general comments about the direction and need for protection of these animals, to specific changes you'd like to see.
General comments are helpful in setting the tone and direction the USDA will take. When looking at the actual language of the rule, the most helpful comments are ones that are clear and concise with individual needs and have references, resources, or research included in the comment to help offer the USDA a scientific basis or real world example behind why a specific requirement should be added into the rules. Kathleen Summers from HSUS has also offered up her contact information at [email protected] if you would like additional guidelines and info on what to write.
If you are interested in submitting a comment, you can do so here at regulations.gov for the proposed rule. Also at that link you can view all of the currently posted comments to get a better idea of what to submit. On the other Document Details tab on that page, you can see the details and background behind the proposed rules.
You can be absolutely sure that the people on the other side of this rule who hunt, slaughter, abuse, and exploit these animals are also going to be making comments, so the more voices coming through on our end the better.
UPDATE (5/4/2023) - The WFHS submitted comments on behalf of our organization to help strengthen regulations protecting animals, increasing the safety and quality of exotic animal owners, and hopefully to limit the terrible conditions of puppy mills and testing facilities. CLICK HERE to see a PDF of our comments submitted to the FDA.
Wisconsin Dog Seller License Cost Increase
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced fee increases for licensed sellers and dog facilities. Beginning in September of 2022, new costs will go into effect for all dog sellers who sell or adopt 25 or more dogs per year, including shelters and rescues.
Rate changes include:
This program also includes inspection and enforcement of all breeders in the state of Wisconsin who qualify under the 25+ rule.
The rate changes were made because the Department did not have enough resources to fund the program. In addition, the fees had not changed since the program was implemented, 10 years ago. You can read the full regulation here.
Rate changes include:
- Animal shelter/Animal control facility: $250 annually (increased from $125)
- Dog sellers, 25-49 sales per year: $550 annually (increased from $250)
- Dog sellers, 50-99 sales per year: $1,100 annually (increased from $500)
- Dog Sellers, 100-249 per year: $1,650 annually (increased from $750)
- Dog Sellers, 250+ per year: $2,200 annually (increased from $1,000)
- Reinspection: $400 (increased from $150)
This program also includes inspection and enforcement of all breeders in the state of Wisconsin who qualify under the 25+ rule.
The rate changes were made because the Department did not have enough resources to fund the program. In addition, the fees had not changed since the program was implemented, 10 years ago. You can read the full regulation here.
MESSAGE FROM THE WDNR:
KEEP WILDLIFE WILD CAMPAIGN
The WDNR would like to invite you to be a part of the Keep Wildlife Wild campaign.
Each spring many young wild animals are taken from the wild by well-meaning people who fear that they are orphaned and at risk. In most cases, these young wild animals are not orphaned, but are seen alone because of the natural behavior of the species. For instance, female deer leave their young fawns alone throughout the day knowing that their natural camouflage is their best protection from predators. Young fawns seen alone are generally not orphaned and the best approach is to leave them in the wild.
If a fawn is brought in to you by a concerned citizen, you can refer to the “I Found a Fawn. Now What?” flowchart, developed by the Keep Wildlife Wild campaign staff, to assist in deciding the best action to take. Frequently that action will be to return the fawn to where it was found so that it can be reunited with its mother. If you think that the fawn is truly orphaned or is injured, please contact a licensed deer rehabilitator before taking the fawn to them. You can find their contact information here: Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory.
Additional information for many of the common species on how to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned can be found on the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage. A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother! Thank you for your assistance in keeping wildlife wild.
Each spring many young wild animals are taken from the wild by well-meaning people who fear that they are orphaned and at risk. In most cases, these young wild animals are not orphaned, but are seen alone because of the natural behavior of the species. For instance, female deer leave their young fawns alone throughout the day knowing that their natural camouflage is their best protection from predators. Young fawns seen alone are generally not orphaned and the best approach is to leave them in the wild.
If a fawn is brought in to you by a concerned citizen, you can refer to the “I Found a Fawn. Now What?” flowchart, developed by the Keep Wildlife Wild campaign staff, to assist in deciding the best action to take. Frequently that action will be to return the fawn to where it was found so that it can be reunited with its mother. If you think that the fawn is truly orphaned or is injured, please contact a licensed deer rehabilitator before taking the fawn to them. You can find their contact information here: Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory.
Additional information for many of the common species on how to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned can be found on the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage. A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother! Thank you for your assistance in keeping wildlife wild.
