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The Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) supports the use of the term “owner” rather than “guardian” when referring to the keeping of dogs. GRCA believes that the term guardian may in fact reduce the legal status and value of dogs as property and thereby restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. It may also subject them to frivolous and expensive litigation.
GRCA opposes the term “guardian” when referring to the keeping of dogs. Although animal rightists claim it improves the bond between human and animal, a recent study says, “Although results did not indicate a negative impact of the term guardian, its use was not associated with an enhanced bond between owner and dog.”* The term “guardian” does nothing to promote more responsible treatment of dogs.
GRCA strongly supports efforts to educate the public about responsible dog ownership to ensure that all dogs receive the care, love, and attention they deserve. For over seventy years, responsible breeders and members of the Golden Retriever Club of America have been dedicated to improving the health and care of the Golden Retriever.
GRCA also opposes the guardianship campaign because it:
• interferes with private contracts between buyers and sellers;
• may result in loss of well-loved animals;
• will do nothing to improve animal care;
• could interfere with biomedical research involving animals, which is already strictly regulated by the federal government;
• could interfere with farmer’s decisions about animal husbandry practices;
• has the potential to clog courts with specious cases;
• will do nothing to get stray animals off the streets; and
• bases all animal care decisions on the preferences of a minority group of activists, not on the experience of animal owners, trainers, and scientists who are part of the majority.
* http://tinyurl.com/od5q4l
February 2010
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