MARK SMITH / PVT Zuzana Kukol keeps an eye on her newest cat, a 5-month-old white tiger named Elvis, at her compound in Pahrump. Advertisement

CARSON CITY -- A group of animal enthusiasts from around the state visited Carson City last Monday to meet with lawmakers as a preemptive measure against the Humane Society of the United States' schedule to lobby for its animal rights agenda in Nevada this past Saturday.

Tim Stoffel from Reno, organizer of the group's efforts, Chris Vaught from Washoe Valley, Zuzana Kukol and Scott Shoemaker from Pahrump and Deanna Croasmun from Wendover registered as non-paid lobbyists and spoke with various assembly members and senators.

They explained the difference between the animal rights movement and animal welfare, and asked legislators to look into the Humane Society agenda and its connections to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other animal rights groups.

The group, speaking in support of animal welfare, pointed out that the Humane Society is a national lobbying group, is not affiliated with any of the humane societies or shelters in Nevada and does not represent the interests of Nevada voters.

The group requested lawmakers look to Nevada animal owners and caretakers, those who are hands-on with animals, to help shape any proposed legislative measures put forth by national animal rights groups like PETA or the Humane Society.

Animal rights is the concept that animals should not be used by or regarded as the property of humans and therefore should not be used as food, clothing, research subjects or entertainment.

In contrast, the animal welfare viewpoint is that it is morally acceptable for humans to use animals for food, in animal research, as clothing and for entertainment, as long as the animals are treated in a reasonable, humane manner.

Kukol, president of Rexano, a nonprofit organization based in Henderson, which supports responsible exotic animal ownership, explained the importance of animals staying labeled as property.

"The U.S. Constitution guarantees American citizens property rights. Animals are considered property under our legal system, and rightly so. Even though we think of our animals as our beloved family members, legally they need to stay property," she said.

"If animals have rights and we are their guardians, we can no longer buy and sell pets and food animals, and if somebody takes your animals from you, it would no longer be considered stealing if we get rid of the legal status of animals as property.

"Many animal rights groups have an agenda of removing the status of animals as property, and they will not be satisfied until everybody is a grass-eating, carrot-eating vegan. We need to be vigilant and stop the insane, lunatic animal rights legislation that has been introduced in many states and at the federal level."

According to Vaught, who owns and works with Australian Kelpies, a herding breed of dog, Nevada animal owners, caretakers and enthusiasts are organizing via an online Yahoo list, NVPetLaw, in response to anticipated animal rights legislation that may be introduced now that the Humane Society has made Nevada one of its targets.

After spending the day with lawmakers, Vaught said, "I think we did good and I am positive we can work together effectively to fight whatever might come our way."

After returning to Wendover, Croasmun, pet owner and exhibitor, said, "This was an important first step. It was a good learning experience for us and gave us the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our position to our lawmakers.

"An interesting point I noticed during the meetings is that many of the lawmakers we talked to said they hunt and fish, and a couple were also ranchers. I think the Humane Society and the other animal rights groups may find Nevada lawmakers a hard sell."