2012 Spring Issue - the American Dwarf Hotot Rabbit Club

judge against and provide education and understanding of the needs of these species. It will also
help educate animal welfare agencies to provide for the needs of rabbits in their custody. Once
complete, the ARBA standard will need to be approved by the board of directors and hopefully will
gain an endorsement from the AALAS and AVMA. It is ARBA’s intention to publish this standard
in such a way that it would be used in legal issues and provide a clear and uniform guide for the care
of rabbits and cavies.
Eric also spoke about an idea for an ARBA foundation that would inspect and license
rabbitries that meet these standards of care. The foundation might be able to provide yearly
inspections done by ARBA judges and registrars for a fee. Then a certificate would be issued stating
the rabbitry met the written standard which could be used as legal power. ARBA is starting to work
on this idea and needs to assure it will not jeopardize the organization’s 501c3 status.
The most notable step for support by ARBA is the role that the Legislative Committee will
be taking to address proposed regulations and new laws. Eric said that when the ARBA becomes
aware of new laws or regulations it is usually too late to intercede in the legal process. Karen has
successfully interceded on behalf of rabbit breeders and hobbyists in the state of New Jersey by
providing information to the right people at the right time. Eric is asking all the membership to
contact the ARBA immediately upon learning of restrictive or regulatory legislation that effect
rabbits or our rabbit hobby.
The Legislative Committee will soon begin to publish articles concerning legal issues in the
Domestic Rabbit magazine. This will help to educate breeders and provide information on how to
deal with legal and governmental issues. It is also planned to begin posting legislative information
and a lobbying kit on the ARBA website. Karen went on to talk about the common
misunderstandings breeders have when they speak to government agencies or their legislators and
how these common mistakes hurt their cause.
1. When contacting legislators or government offices, don’t say you are “a rabbit breeder”;
state that you are a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. An organization
affiliation sounds more professional and implies you are backed by a large group with similar
opinions.
2. Address only issues in your own state, county or city. Legislators do not take into
consideration letters and opinions from people living outside their jurisdiction. Also, it
could have a negative impact if people from outside the state are more vocal about an issue
than people inside the state.
3. The right people need to be contacted at the right time to have any impact on changing
minds when dealing with new legislation. If you do not have a working knowledge of the
system it is best to contact Karen Horn for assistance and advice.
On January 1, 2012 the California SB917 became a law. There has been a great deal of
concern, frustration and misunderstanding concerning what rabbit breeders can and cannot do now
that this law has taken effect. In a written statement, California Attorney, Diego Santana clarified
the legal aspects of the new law. Karen Horn also spoke to the assembly at the meeting about the
intent of this law. Many people are scared and feel the only way to comply is to follow a literal
interpretation of the law. However, Karen said that bills are usually written with a form of legal
shorthand that will address the intent of the author without making the bill too long or difficult.
Spring 2012 Dwarf Hotot News Page 25