"Exhibits (dogs) will be scanned automatically when they enter the ring." Dennis Sprung, President and CEO , American Kennel Club, Dog World, Dec. 2005
The AKC's leadership has a vision for the future. And that vision, it would seem, includes money, microchips (and maybe a little political power, too, considering the AKC's unwavering support for Rick Santorum's PAWS bill - SB 1139.)
But methinks, dear readers (and so should you) the future is much closer than you think. The AKC's future vision, has a chilling, almost Orwellian ring to it..................
Future Vision of The AKC
In a quote from Dog World, Dec 2005, here's what Dennis had to say about the vision of the AKC in 2090:
"The AKC will continue to be the leader and innovator in the world of dogs, providing significant back-end infrastructures for kennel clubs world-wide. Due to the continuing demand in the real-estate market, shows will be held at permanent, climate-controlled sites, developed exclusively for conformation and companion events. Performance events will be held at adjacent (also permanent) outdoor facilities."
Creating & Expanding The Infrastructure - Is McDonald's The AKC's Role Model? Supersizing The AKC...........
OK everybody - what' business is McDonald's in? If you said burgers - bzzzzzzzzz - wrong answer. If you said REAL ESTATE - you win. That's because McDonald's is one of the world' BIGGEST REAL ESTATE COMPANIES.
Why? McDonald's franchisees don't own their restaurants or the ground beneath - McDonald's owns the "facility" and the ground it sits on and LEASES it back to the franchisee operator on a long term lease.
What's McDonald's have to do with the AKC? Let's look at Dennis' quote from a McDonald's point of view. In terms of dog shows - is there a continuing demand for real estate ? Of course - dog shows are recurring events, right? And that means it's a recurring revenue event. And maybe the the AKC would like a larger piece of that pie. Is the AKC going into real estate?
If we were to apply the McDonald's business model of franchising and real estate development to AKC sanctioned dog shows...........
- Does that mean the AKC has created it's own real estate company to develop spaces "exclusively for confirmation and companion events?"
- Does that mean the AKC plans to squeeze out existing show operators?
- Or does that mean the AKC plans to make show operators - if they want to remain - AKC franchisees?
- Will there be an AKC "franchise" facility in every state? Every county? Every city? Every country?
- Isn't real estate and facilities management an area of expertise for Ron Menaker from his days at JP Morgan Chase?
- Will the AKC move beyond the world of purebred dogs & take in new pipelines of revenue for events involving "companion" animals?
Managing The Infrastructure - The AKC, RFID Microchip Technology & Supply Chain Management Principles
Next, Dennis is quoted as saying,
"Technology will play a leading role, and AKC litter registrations will leap from the current rate of 40% to 100%, along with individual registrations.
- 100% of litter registrations? That's a whopping 60% increase. How does the AKC intend to meet this incredible goal?
- Does that mean as part of the registration, the AKC will require that all puppies be microchipped?
- Does that mean mandatory microchips or else you don't get to register your dogs with the AKC?
- Or does that mean Dennis knows something not yet public - that the US government will mandate microchips for all companion pets?
- Will the AKC & other "Supply Channels" (PETA & HSUS?) manage the chain of product supply (dogs) as well as engage in Product LifeCycle Management (birth of litters, delivery to end-users (owners/guardians) diet & exercise, dog events, vet care, death, euthanasia) ?
- Will the "Supply Channels" , i.e. the AKC (and perhaps HSUS, DDAL & PETA)leverage mandatory microchips as a means to track the product (dogs) throughout their LifeCycle?
- Will the AKC be hiring up brand and product managers to mirror Proctor & Gamble?
Sit, Stay, Scan
"Exhibits will be scanned automatically when they enter the ring, and the results will be electronically relayed to the AKC records department in real time, as the winning dogs stand in front of the appropriate placement markers."
- Exhibits will be scanned - meaning the dog s will be scanned, meaning all dogs entering an AKC show would be required to microchipped in order that they can be scanned, right?
"At the end of the day, there will be no real change. AKC events will continue to be fun for people and dogs."
Actually, Dennis, I think that would be a big change. Is this your vision for 2090? Or is this really your vision for 2006, following the passage of SB 1139 - AKA The PAWS bill?
Indeed it will be a brave, new world. The question for every dog owner should be..... Do you want the blue pill or the red pill?
Think about alternatives to AKC: UKC, NCA, USA-Schutzhund, etc.
Stop going to their shows. Eventually you can choke them more by not supporting their registration "big business".
Posted by: Fred Lanting | November 12, 2005 at 08:26 AM
I wonder how many grassroots AKC members support this proposal? If the majority of members are against it maybe they should consider boycotting the shows for a season or two. It would involve some sacrifice, but it might send an important message to those at the top of the AKC.
Posted by: Selma Mulvey | November 03, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Right on once again. We have had the technology to use READERS in the ring, but they had to work out the BUGS because not all readers read all chips!!! Not all Chips stay in place!!!
So I believe the AKC is headed for exactly what you invision sooner than we all think! They are already advancing to the entry taking business,which will hurt the show superintendents who have served the show giving clubs for so many years.
They Bought property in Durham Nc some time ago with the intention of building a facility to house dogs shows and companion events, with a hotel on site, modeled after Puriena farms.
So why NOT go the entire route from renting the show giving clubs the facility, and putting on the entire process???
The only draw back to that is they would have to build so many facilities all over the country to accomplish that they would indeed become real estate brokers!
Makes the puny 5 1/2 million $ we give them with our conformation and agility recording fees each year seem paltry at best....not to mention all the "other" fees for all the "other"services...adds on their website to sell puppies... over the internet?? I do indeed invision the sears and roebuck style of ordering your pup right through AKC...
I hope God has given me the ultimate recall(obedience trial jargon) prior to that happening.
Sincerly
Vickie Haywood
Not afraid to say
Board of Directors Central Carolina Poodle CLub
Breeder of Champion and obedience poodles for 40 years!
Columnist for Dog Press
Former Animal Control Officer in NC
Posted by: Vickie Haywood | November 01, 2005 at 05:36 PM