ABCA News

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 California AB1634
 Registration figures for 2006
 PAWS Legislation
 Disciplinary Actions
 Registration Policy Changed
 Registry on Merit Procedures Amendment
 Registration Policy Clarified
 Appeal Policy Established
 ISDS recognizes ABCA
 Cornell gives ABCA Genetics Award
 Directors, Officers and Committee Chairs, 2004-2005
 Promotional Request Deadlines

California AB1634

The Board of Directors voted to oppose AB1634, a bill under consideration in the California legislature which would make it illegal to possess an intact dog more than four months old. A letter was written to the bill's sponsor and all members of the committee which is holding hearings on the bill, expressing our opposition and suggesting that at a minimum it be amended to exempt working dogs.   A second letter of opposition was sent after the bill was amended in ways that made it worse, and still did not exempt working dogs.
First Letter,  Second Letter

Registration figures for 2006

The ABCA registered 20,182 dogs in 2006.  During the previous year 20,488 dogs were registered.

PAWS Legislation

The Board of Directors voted to oppose the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) bill currently pending in Congress, which would bring some breeders who sell dogs at retail under federal regulation for the first time. A letter was written to all Senators on the committee which is considering the bill, expressing our opposition and giving suggestions for how the bill could be amended to improve it.

To see a copy of this letter, click here.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

The ABCA has expelled Mary Ann Harrison (Wildrose Border Collies, Cherokee Rose Border Collies, American Beauty Border Collies) from ABCA membership for failing to cooperate with an investigation of her breeding practices. Effective July 11, 2006, her registration and certification privileges have been revoked.

The ABCA has expelled Steve & Cindy McCoy (Solid Rock Border Collies, Kentucky Farm Collies) of Kentucky from ABCA membership for failing to cooperate with an investigation of their breeding practices.  Effective August 1, 2006, their registration and certification privileges have been revoked.

The ABCA has expelled Richard Swafford (Swafford's Border Collies, All Around Border Collies) of Portland, Tennessee from ABCA membership for submitting false registration documents to the ABCA, executing and delivering false registration applications to buyers of his dogs, breeding practices and kennel conditions which are not conducive to accurate registration, and failing to cooperate fully with the investigation into his practices. Effective June 9, 2004, Mr. Swafford's registration and certification privileges are revoked.  As of that same date, Duke (ABC #238782), Speedy (ABC #231553) and Craig's Megan (ABC #199792) are deregistered.

The ABCA has expelled Kristen Campbell (Black Hill Farms Border Collies, Catch 'Em Border Collies) of Bristol, Tennessee from ABCA membership for making false statements and submitting false registration documents to the ABCA, and forging the signature of another on a registration application.  Effective May 10, 2005, Ms. Campbell's registration and certification privileges are revoked.  By vote of the Board of Directors, Blue Belle (ABC #250069) and Chloe (ABC #255780) are deregistered.

REGISTRATION POLICY CHANGED

On November 16, 2004, the Board of Directors voted to change the existing policy of the Association for accepting registration applications. All applications for registration of dogs born in North America on or after January 1, 2005 must be submitted by the breeder of the litter. Applications for entire litters, partial litters, or individual dogs must be submitted to the association by the breeder.

On January 24, 2006, the Board of Directors voted that the fee charged for registration of dogs born in North America who are more than one year old but less than two years old shall be doubled, and for dogs more than two years old the fee shall be tripled and DNA testing will be required, effective January 1, 2007.

REGISTRATION ON MERIT PROCEDURES AMENDMENT

In its September 13th conference call, the BOD voted to amend our Registry on Merit procedures by adding a provision under "1. All these conditions must be met."

REGISTRATION POLICY CLARIFIED

Concerned with the dangers of conformation breeding to the Border Collie, the ABCA Directors have voted to clarify our registration policy.
"The ABCA is a working stockdog registry and believes that breeding for conformation standards rather than working ability is detrimental to the health and working ability of the Border Collie. Consequently the ABCA will only register dogs or bitches whose ancestors are registered with the working registries with the same strict working goals as the International Sheepdog Society and the American Border Collie Association.
Dogs or bitches registered with any registry that promotes conformation showing of Border Collies (American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, the Kennel Club (UK), Federacion Cynologique Internationale, Australian, or New Zealand Kennel Clubs, etc) will not be registered unless they are also registered by an acceptable working registry.
The ABCA will deregister any ABCA registered dog or bitch should it be named a 'Conformation Champion' by a conformation registry."
This policy change becomes effective January 1, 2004.

Appeal Policy Established

During the October 21, 2003 Annual meeting of the Board of Directors, a new application appeal policy was established to begin on January 1, 2004. There will be a $ 25.00 non-refundable fee charged for all appeals after that date. This will be paid at the time the request is made prior to the application being forwarded to the committee. The appeals committee for 2004 is Robin Nuffer, Beverly Lambert and Merle Newton. All appeals must be directed to the ABCA office for action.

ISDS Recognizes ABCA

In a historic agreement, the International Sheepdog Society has recognized the American Border Collie Association. While adult ABCA dogs cannot be transferred to the ISDS, pups from ABCA sires and dams can be ISDS registered.
Joint statement:
The International Sheepdog Society (ISDS) and the American Border Collie Association (ABCA) are pleased to announce a joint agreement whereby the ISDS will recognize the pedigree of an ABCA recorded sire and/or dam as valid for the registration of pups in the ISDS Stud Book according to the ISDS Rules.
This position has been reached for the benefit of owners, breeders and dogs alike. The two organizations have the same objective of supporting the Border Collie being a working sheepdog. It is recognized that this will be greatly helped by effectively bringing together the worldwide community of these dogs and giving owners greater access to an appropriate register.

Cornell Gives ABCA Genetics Award

On October 10, 2003, Sally Lacy, Chair of the ABCA Health and Genetics Committee accepted the Cornell University's Baker Institute's John A. Lafore Kennel Club Award on behalf ot the Association. This award is given in recognition "of a kennel club or breed-affiliated organisation's outstanding contributions to the advancement of canine health through their support to research and education.
The ABCA has funded genetic research at Cornell since 1999. The award cites the ABCA: "We would like to recognize the Association's enlightened and active role in breeding. the Association's longstanding commitement is helping to ensure health for future generations of companion animals."  

Directors, Officers and Committee Chairs, 2004-2005 

During the Annual Membership Meeting in Sturgis, SD in September 2004, Norma Brice and Susan Carvalho were elected for a three-year term. The current board and staff welcomes these new directors. On November 16, 2004, Officer elections were held and committee appointments made. Following are the Officers and Committees for 2005:

President: Bruce Smart
Vice-President: Jim Swift
Secretary/Treasurer: Patty Rogers
Executive Committee: Bruce Smart, Jim Swift, Mike Neary, Dan Gill, Gary Westbrook
Appeals Committee: Beverly Lambert (chair), Robin Nuffer, Merle Newton
Health & Genetics Committee: Sally Lacy (chair), Melissa DeMille, Eileen Stein, Denise Wall

Trials Committee:
Sheep: Jim Swift (chair), Ray Crabtree
Cattle: Larry Burkes (chair), Robin Nuffer, Gary Westbrook, Merle Newton, Dan Gill

Nominating Committee: Mike Neary (chair), Robin Nuffer, Don Helsley
Communications Committee: Susan Carvalho (chair), Eileen Stein, Craig Rogers
Hall of Fame Committee: Dan Gill (chair)

Promotional Request Deadlines

One of the unique benefits of the American Border Collie Association is the use of promotional money accumulated from each registration at the rate of $ 1.00 per dog to promote the border collie and border collie events throughout the United States and Canada through it's members. Money is available to members in each state with request deadlines on February 15 and July 15 of each year. A written request must be submitted by the member with a detailed description of the activity or event that they are requesting funds for. The information should include the description, date(s), members involved, location and amount of money requested. If the event involves multiple states, a member from each state should make a separate request. Only current members will be considered. Be sure to have your written request in by the deadline. Requests may be mailed, faxed or emailed into the office.