ASSOCIATION • Circus Members Animal Legislation Update by Vanessa Gagne, Government Relations & Communications Consultant
Give a Dog a Bone - Why Fair Folks Should Be Concerned About the Current State of Purebred Dogs in the United States
F
airgrounds around the country know their venues are more than just spots for us to play, they’re
engines running year-round in their lo- cal economies. One of the least talked about sources of revenue for the off-sea- son fairground are dog shows. These events provide vital revenue that sus- tains fairgrounds and the local economy after we’ve moved on or aren’t in sea- son. Yet a quiet threat has been growing for decades: the slow erosion of pure- bred dog breeds, fueled by “adopt, don’t shop” retail rescue groups that want to end dog breeding altogether. This isn’t just a dog lovers’ debate anymore, it’s a business imperative for our industry.
Why Purebred Dogs Matter to Fairs
1 Dog Shows: An Off-Season Lifeline Large AKC clusters generate
$200,000–$1.5 million per weekend in venue fees, concessions, and local spending. Fewer purebred dogs over- all turns into fewer show entries and shrinking events. As purebred popula- tions decline due to anti-breeder senti- ment and rescue-only messaging fair- grounds and adjacent businesses will start to feel that economic squeeze.
2Fairgrounds Rely on Dog
Shows to Balance Budgets Many fairgrounds use winter and
spring dog shows to cover fixed costs like maintenance, insurance, and staff- ing, helping avoid rate hikes or ven- ue closures. Consider the Fairplex in Pomona, California: When traditional dog shows declined, the venue pivot- ed to the massive Los Angeles Pet Fair, now featuring reptiles, birds, and small animals. Concessionaires still benefit,
PHOTO BY DMITRY OVSYANNIKOV |
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