On 8 April 2009, Representative Jeff Smith and Senator Pat Kreitlow announced their long-awaited joint House / Senate bill to provide for licensing and inspection of breeders and sellers and help to protect dogs by setting standards for their care.

     LRB-2448/2, the Smith-Kreitlow Commericial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill, was introduced into the Wisconsin State Assembly by Representative Smith on April 30, 2009. It was given the bill number AB-250, and was immediately referred to committee on Consumer Protection.

     On 18 May 2009, Senator Kreitlow introduced the bill into WI State Senate. It was assigned the number SB-208 and was referred to the Committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection.

      We are asking our supporters to write or phone all Assembly and Senate Committee members and ask them to PLEASE favorably pass AB-250 / SB-208 out of committee without significant amendments. That is important, because some really bad things can be done to good bills via amendments.

     Please see our AB-205/SB208 In Committee page for contact information for all members of both committees, as well as tips on what to say. It is important that you tell them, in your own words, why you feel it is important to license, inspect and set standards of care for Wisconsin's dog industry.

     We will announce the date and time of the public hearings before the committees as soon as we get them -- keep checking back for more updates!