Registry

How the Registry Works

Let’s track a lamb registration through the system and then a transfer. Your letter arrives at the P.O. Box. If the enclosed fees are correct, and the forms are filled out properly, we pull that breeder’s file, or a new file is made if you are a new member. We then check the sire and dam numbers and proceed to fill out a permanent registration form. This form is a three-part carbonless copy. The original is mailed back to the breeder; the second copy is kept in the breeder’s file; the third copy goes into the continuing stud book file which is a numerical record of every sheep in the Registry. We make every attempt to do this in a timely fashion!

Now for transfers. If the applicant is a new breeder/member, we pull the records of the breeder from whom the sheep were purchased. We check the copies to be sure these sheep are correctly registered to the seller and then remove the copy of the registration from their file, making a note in the seller’s file of the transfer and to whom they were transferred. A new file is set up for the new owner which now contains the copy of the permanent registration. The transfer is then signed and sent off with any additional paperwork that is needed. This leaves a paper trail from owner to owner, and any sheep can be traced back to the original breeder. This is very important in case papers become lost and the inquirer has no record of the permanent registration number but does have the seller’s name. Ear tag numbers must correspond to the permanent registration form, but ear tags alone cannot be traced as almost everyone uses the same numbers.

ALL sheep must have a permanent ear tag with a number for positive visual ID. Only the breeder’s name is recognized by the registry, farm names are not used for any purpose.

We cannot/do not accept micro chipping. Not all breeders/buyers/veterinarians have access to the device that can read the chip; thus, a visual form of ID is also required.

Many times the seller does not give the buyer enough information about how to transfer sheep into their name, nor do they tell them the proper fees that need to be sent. Or, they may give new owners a copy of the lamb registration instead of the original. Another problem is the buyer who buys sheep and does not transfer the sheep into his or her name before reselling the sheep. Thus, the sheep may have been resold many times before being sent in to be transferred. The Registry recognizes the owner as being the original breeder or the last name recorded on the transfer as signed by the registrar. Some buyers sign their own name on the registrar’s line, which voids the registration. All registrations and transfers must be signed and dated by the registrar to be valid.

Before the stud book copy of a registration is filed, each new owner’s name is added to our breeders list, which is sent out to all who request it. While none of the foundation sheep had pedigrees at the time of the original registration, all succeeding generations do. You, as the breeder, are required to produce a pedigree when asked by any potential buyer or other breeder. If you need a pedigree produced for any of your sheep, please contact the Registry.

Things to do and not to do that help the registry process

  1. Be sure all new buyers know that membership fees and transfer fees must accompany their transfers along with the original copy of the lamb’s/sheep’s registration.
     
    Full dues are required regardless of what month you become a member. WE DO NOT PRORATE. Dues need to be paid by January 31st of each year.
     
  2. DO NOT give lamb registrations to the buyer to send in. Lambs may only be registered by the owner of the ewe at the time of lambing. Once the registration is completed by the Registry and returned to the breeder, the lamb/sheep ownership may be transferred.
     
  3. DO NOT send copies of registrations to transfer. Only the originals will be processed.
     
  4. Keep a copy of everything you send in. Occasionally, things do get lost in the mail.
     
  5. ALL LAMBS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THEY WERE BORN.

Change in Policy Regarding Acceptance of Unregistered Sheep

After much debate and many phone calls to breeders in our Registry (some new, some breeders that have been with us for many years, and some breeders that no longer raise “Babydolls”), along with calls to several other registries to see what their policy is, I have made a tough decision. In an effort to maintain the purity and integrity of the Babydolls, The Olde English “Babydoll” Sheep Registry will no longer accept any sheep whose sire and dam were not registered with the Registry. Our goal is to continue the work of Robert Mock and the many years spent developing and promoting. We look forward to working to with you.

Byron, Sandra and Stephanie Self