CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
One of the busiest areas for the AKC in 2005 was canine legislation; last year we handled
more than 500 bills and ordinances nationwide. On the federal level, we saw the introduction of the Pet Animal
Welfare Statute of 2005 (PAWS). We have worked diligently with Congress to ensure that the result will be legislation
which will significantly benefit and protect the welfare of dogs without imposing unreasonable burdens or restrictions
on our constituents. Regardless of the outcome, we should be most proud that the AKC has ascended to a position that
permits us to take an active role in the legislative process and establish a positive relationship with our lawmakers
on Capitol Hill.
Educating the public about purebred dogs remains a key element of the AKC mission. The fifth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship offered dog lovers of all ages an opportunity to observe the talents of the nation's top show dogs in three venues-conformation, obedience, and agility-with 142 parent clubs providing exhibits for "AKC Meet the Breeds."
The multifaceted event attracted over 3,400 entries from 50 states and 20 countries. The unprecedented audiences in the arena and for the live simulcasts on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel once again proved the public's thirst for knowledge about purebred dogs. For 121 years, the AKC has been providing that knowledge, drawing on the vast collective experience of a dedicated staff and our constituency of clubs and fanciers.
We educated dog lovers throughout the year with events and programs that emphasize responsible dog ownership and the amazing manifestations of the human-canine bond. Our third annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day reached hundreds of thousands of current and prospective dog owners at the grass-roots level, all over the country. Our Awards for Canine Excellence once again told the inspiring stories of dogs who have performed great feats in service to mankind. Veterans Day took on new meaning last year as we presented the DOGNY Heroic Military Working Dog Award aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid to honor a U.S. Army dog-and-handler team who completed an impressive tour of duty overseas in service to our nation.
Educating the public about purebred dogs remains a key element of the AKC mission. The fifth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship offered dog lovers of all ages an opportunity to observe the talents of the nation's top show dogs in three venues-conformation, obedience, and agility-with 142 parent clubs providing exhibits for "AKC Meet the Breeds."
The multifaceted event attracted over 3,400 entries from 50 states and 20 countries. The unprecedented audiences in the arena and for the live simulcasts on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel once again proved the public's thirst for knowledge about purebred dogs. For 121 years, the AKC has been providing that knowledge, drawing on the vast collective experience of a dedicated staff and our constituency of clubs and fanciers.
We educated dog lovers throughout the year with events and programs that emphasize responsible dog ownership and the amazing manifestations of the human-canine bond. Our third annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day reached hundreds of thousands of current and prospective dog owners at the grass-roots level, all over the country. Our Awards for Canine Excellence once again told the inspiring stories of dogs who have performed great feats in service to mankind. Veterans Day took on new meaning last year as we presented the DOGNY Heroic Military Working Dog Award aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid to honor a U.S. Army dog-and-handler team who completed an impressive tour of duty overseas in service to our nation.
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