Dog Auctions?

We have a lot of stories from the Newspapers and there are several opinions posted on Animal Rights Advocates websites. We will be covering the news stories as they appear and if given enough time we will try to review some of the AR websites to discuss their opinions.

In our initial research we have determined the "Dog Auctions" are heavily regulated by the USDA and according to their records they maintain a presence throughout the process to makes sure the Federal Animal Welfare laws are followed. I have also noted the USDA does a poor job in supervision in most states due to inadequate manpower staffing for the number of Kennels and Auction companies across the United States.

The purpose of the Auctions vary from sale to sale:

In speaking with the owner of one of the largest Auction Companies we learned the following.

1. A many of the sales come from breeders who have failed in business. There is not a resource available for someone who has lets say 60 dogs, to place them quickly with owners who have the financial ability to attend to their needs. Dogs coming from failed enterprises may very well have poor weights and many may be old dogs who simply need a home.

2. The State and Federal courts use the auctions for dispersal in cases where the dogs have been ordered to be sold for taxes, estate sales, bankruptcy, animal abuse violations, etc. The auctions provide an opportunity for the courts to recover some money for the government or creditors.

3. Some Breeders will tender dogs for the auctions to reduce the number of dogs they have.

4. From time to time there will be a liquidation sale for kennels who are closing due to sickness in the home or death. A lot of small kennels are owned by retired people who sometimes become ill and die with no one to care for the animals.

Customers of the Auctions are varied some are individuals looking to adopt a dog of a specific breed, others are Animal Rights Groups/Rescues who use the auctions to buy dogs cheaply for inventory for adoptions to fund their organization. Some breeders will attend the auctions looking for specific breed addition for their operations.

All in all the buyers make a strange lot of bedfellows, the Auction did make an interesting point, no matter where the buyers come from everyone at the auction wants only the very best for the animals. Auctions have been a way of life in Agriculture for as long as there has been a need to disperse animals. Some people are not comfortable with the process, but there is no other way to affectingly place surplus animals in new environments.

I asked about the process used to check a persons ID etc., I have read on some sites they do this to prevent people from participating. Federal Law mandates the buyers be properly identified and records are maintained and provide to the USDA with each sale. Buyers must have good funds to participate and positive ID is required to make sure the auction does not fall victim to fraud. Some people who have records for animal abuse have tried to buy dogs at the auctions, but once they have been identified are denied access.