Comment on FR Doc # 2012-11484

It is not equitable to include all species together in counting breedable females. Species should be counted separately.Visiting animals should not be counted with animals permanently living in the home. Hobby breeders should be exempt from this ruling. The number of animals produced by a hobby breeder (including offspring from co-owned animals) annually is far less that the number produced by an internet breeder or a high volume (i.e. puppy mill) breeder. In general hobby breeders thoroughly screen potential homes versus an internet breeder or high volume breeder who takes your money or credit card sight unseen and ships you an animal. Most hobby breeders require the buyer to come to thier home to obtain the puppy unless they know the buyer well. Most hobby breeder raise their animals in a controlled environement and in general most of them could not afford the type of kennel facilities that would be required by this ruling. Animals raised in a home environment with hands on care and from health tested parents (And a DNA test is NOT health testing!) versus animal raised in a kennel with no health testing ... which would you prefer to have? Rules such as this will penalize the conscientious breeders and not those just out to make money.