The Compliance Operations division safeguards the integrity of the AKC Stud Book, the world’s largest purebred dog registry.

The division comprises the Inspections and Investigations, DNA Operations and Educational Services, Case Management, and Compliance Support departments. In 2004, the division renewed its emphasis on education and customer service. The turnaround of correspondence was much improved, and efforts were made to hasten the resolution of cases.

Fifteen field inspectors visited 5,033 kennels and conducted 28 reinspections. They place great emphasis on the care and condition of the dogs they encounter. Inspectors monitor law-enforcement seizures of dogs in cruelty-to-animals cases.

Case Management assists individuals to resolve complex registration problems, such as chain-of-title questions, litter corrections, forgeries, co-ownership disputes, and other cases in which the Stud Book may be compromised. In 2004, Case Management produced approximately 22,600 letters and handled 22,492 telephone calls.

DNA Operations, using DNA parentage-verification technology to maintain the integrity of the Stud Book, processed more than 48,000 DNA samples, bringing the total in the DNA database to over 300,000.