AWSA Registry

Susan Morabit, Registrar -- Slmrn98@Bellsouth.net

When a small group of people got together years ago and pondered the whys and wherefores of the "White German Shepherd", the results were a decision to break away from the stereotyping that threw these wonderful animals into a dark cloud of misconception… and a club was formed.

In the formation of this club, a registry was needed to track information on the animals that would become its heart. This registry would help the club fulfill its dream of being a "parent club" one day, providing a reliable and trustworthy source of information about its charges.

So, in March 1996, a survey form was published in the newsletter of this newly forming club asking its small group of members just what they wanted tracked by this registry. An "Individual Registration" form was published as well in hopes of beginning the journey of building the registry. In September 7, 1996, AWSA held its first National Specialty and the ball began to roll in the formation of this club. Details were discussed, pondered, debated and reviewed.

In November 1996 a Motion was put before the members, printed in the Times (the official club newsletter), requesting the following: "The registry to be open to members of the club only and that a system similar to Canada's "Event Registration Number" (ERN) be established so that non-members can show their dogs and earn AWSA Championships without being able to register individual dogs or litters with the Club." The Motion passed in January 1997.

The results of the March '96 survey were published in November 1996 as well and a listing was given for the fees and registration procedures (that was voted on at Nationals) as follows: "Registration fees would be discounted until Dec. 31, 1996 in an effort to encourage all to start registering dogs. Individual Registration fees would be $5 with a maximum of $25 per owner. After January 1, 1997 - Individual Registrations would be $8 per dog, $10 Litter Registration fees and breeders would be responsible for registering litters and individual puppies with a maximum of $50 to register individual puppies per litter.

The required forms to complete registrations were as follows:
Individual Registrations = copies of current club registration forms (AKC, CKC, etc), a 3 generation pedigree, health certificates (OFA, OVC, etc) and any awards or titles earned that the owner wanted tracked by AWSA. 
Litter Registrations = a copy of a pedigree from the sire and dam if not already on file. (These requirements still exist today in order to be able to register any dog with AWSA.)

As of spring of 1997, ERNs would be handled by the club registrar (Terri Vest), with a cost of $5 per applicant and provided up to 30 days from the show date before any points or awards were lost. The Confirmation Chair (Lynda Proulx) would provide the applications onsite at shows. A copy of AKC or CKC club registration forms was required along with the application to obtain a number. In the summer of 1997, the ERNs would be handled strictly by the Confirmation Chair with the same requirements.
In the summer of 1997, the first "Individual Puppy" registration form was published in the Times, with member Jean Reeves registering the first litter with AWSA.

With the registry beginning to form, a numbering system was required. In January 1997 it was decided to use the F1, F2, F3 system. Any new animal being registered was an F1. When two F1's were bred, the offspring became an F2. With two F2's being bred together, the offspring became an F3. To be considered a "true" or pure breed, it required a 3rd generation animal to begin the "pure" lines. We have 11 F3's in our registry today. (6/2001)

In February 1998 a Motion was put before the membership requesting "AWSA bring the issue of the use of the Club Registry by non-members to a written ballot, club-wide vote." Further proposed was: "That the registry be opened to everyone with the following stipulation: that a mandatory, non-breed-separationist "Registry Code of Ethics" be instituted and that ALL non-club members be required to sign and abide by such a Code as a condition of their use of our Registry." (this motion affected the Bylaws or Code of Ethics and requires an affirmative 2/3 vote of the entire voting membership in order to pass.) A National Specialty publication went out in spring 1998 and provided the National Meeting Minutes. This Motion, known as Motion 4, "To open the AWSA registry to all" passed unanimously.

By the end of 1997, AWSA had a total of 111 dogs and 10 litters registered. By Dec. 1998, 157 dogs and 14 litters, by Dec. 1999- 220 dogs and 22 litters, by Dec 2000- 263 dogs and 31 litters. To date (8/26/01) 310 dogs and 40 litters.

Today, the requirements are still the same. Copies of all club registrations, health certificates, award/titles earned and a 3 generation pedigree (if at all possible) will complete the registration process. The following points are being stressed to help avoid any slow downs of registrations and possibly causing lost points or awards due to not getting registered in time. 
PLEASE make note of all the following:
* CURRENT mailing addresses need to be provided by breeders for their puppy buyers to avoid raising mailing costs with returned, undeliverable certificates. 
* All checks need to be made payable to the registrar, Terri Vest. Any other way may get the check returned and the registration process slowed down. 
* The barest minimum when registering is a copy of AKC/CKC/UKC registration certificates, (unless registering a puppy to young to have one).
* When registering puppies, once you have your AKC/CKC/UKC paperwork, please forward a copy to the AWSA registry, along with any health certificates (OFA, OVC, thyroid, eyes, DNA, etc)!!!
* Please make sure all writing is legible!!
* Please be sure to use the most current applications available. The older ones from the past are missing important information! If you don't have it, you will find a link for it on the website.


Following are the directions on HOW TO USE the application forms provided by your AWSA Registry!

Individual Registration: Fee: $8.00 These sections are a MUST!
Top right corner > mark registration type! (full / limited) only on newer forms!
Be sure to fill in ALL open spaces in the upper portion of the application that apply! 
If your animal is spayed or neutered, circle one (top right corner/area). 
Note the bold print: Enclose a copy of all club registrations! 
Provide FULL information regarding the owner including phone number!
Provide FULL information regarding the breeder including phone number!
Provide at least a three-generation pedigree if one or both parents are not registered with AWSA.
Bottom half: enter company name (i.e. OFA) and the number assigned to that health 
Note: tattooed or Microchip? If yes, note the company name doing it and the ID number provided.
Under Titles Earned: just put in the DATE the title/award was earned!! Not "yes" or "no"
Please note the bold print: write the date on the line and enclose a copy of the title earned

Litter Registration Application: Fee: $10.00
Very simple and straight forward. Fill in ALL open areas that apply
Please note the bold print: include the AWSA, AKC, and all Club Registration numbers above!
Provide FULL information on the owner/co-owner including a phone number!
Provide at least a three-generation pedigree if one or both parents are not registered with AWSA.

The fee for breeders to register their litters/pups for their buyers is $5 each or a maximum of $25 per litter!

All checks made payable to AWSA and mailed to:
Susan Morabit, AWSA Registrar
3365 Chestnut Creek Drive, Marietta, GA 30062