Shouldering bright blue tote bags with the American Kennel Club logo prominently displayed on the side, AKC Legislative Liaisons from across the country ascended the steps of Capitol Hill on September 29th, ready to bring the fancy’s concerns to Congress. The Hill visits were the culmination of this year’s Lobby Day, an event hosted by the AKC’s Canine Legislation department in an effort to increase our organization’s visibility in the Capitol. With many purebred dog owners calling on their Senators and Congressmen at the same time, Lobby Day served as an effective, coordinated way of raising awareness about the fancy’s federal legislative agenda.

Attendees at this year’s Lobby Day were chosen in recognition of their commitment to responsible dog ownership and to reasonable, effective canine legislation. Many already had a great deal of lobbying experience at the local or state level, having been involved in everything from fighting community breed-specific proposals to organizing state-wide opposition to breeding restriction bills. Their past work served as a jumping-off platform for an afternoon training workshop that was held at the Lowes L’Enfant Plaza Hotel the day before their Hill visits. During that time, fanciers heard presentations from AKC staff detailing the federal issues that are currently impacting dog owners, and how they can help positively affect those issues. They also learned more about federal government structure, from committees to agencies and everything in between. Finally, Congressional staff shared their inside view on what Members want to hear from their constituents, along with the importance of working with legislative aides and assistants.

Following an afternoon of issue briefing and training, Legislative Liaisons enjoyed cocktails and dinner at the hotel, compliments of AKC. The relaxed atmosphere gave attendees a chance to share stories, strategies and ideas, and in some cases, to finally put faces with names they had exchanged legislative e-mails on many issues.

Wednesday dawned a bit soggy as the last remnants of Hurricane Jeanne cleared out, but the sun soon shone through as fanciers took in a continental breakfast and received last-minute instructions for their upcoming appointments with Members of Congress. Then it was off to Capitol Hill, where construction and security made navigating the already challenging space a bit tricky. Liaisons took it all in stride, however. Armed with materials to leave behind at their Members’ offices, fanciers enthusiastically headed off to their first appointments. Most individuals had three meetings scheduled for them—one with each of their Senators and one with their Congressman. Liaisons met directly with either their representative or with a legislative aide or staffer from their representative’s office. While there, they talked about their involvement in purebred dogs and discussed projects and programs held by their clubs and federations in the Members’ states or districts. They also pointed out the economic benefit their shows and events bring to a community. Finally, fanciers talked about AKC’s federal legislative agenda, asking for their Members’ support on our issues.

At the close of each meeting, fanciers left behind a packet with information about the American Kennel Club, their own club or federation, and the core federal issues that presently concern AKC: strengthening enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, ensuring continued access to air transport for dogs, and the passage of a Congressional resolution commemorating September 17th as Responsible Dog Ownership Day. Members also received a dog leash with AKC’s logo and the message, “Love Your Dog, Leash Your Dog.” All of these materials will be future reminders for Senators and Congressman that AKC and the purebred dog fancy are invaluable resources when it comes to canine legislation and animal welfare issues.

When asked to report back as to how their meetings went, most Liaisons felt that their presentations had been well-received. Many believed they had secured support for some of AKC’s concerns, while others were simply pleased to have put those issues on their legislators’ radar screens, laying the groundwork for future lobbying efforts. All agreed that their Hill visits had made AKC and the purebred dog fancy more visible to Congress, in effect personalizing our sport.

When Lobby Day attendees said goodbye to Washington on Wednesday afternoon, they may have left materials behind, but they took home a great deal more: new information and ideas to share with fellow fanciers, fresh contacts in their Congressional offices, a new network of colleagues to call on for help with canine legislation, and, hopefully, a renewed energy and enthusiasm to continue their outstanding lobbying efforts. Lobby Day 2004 took the American Kennel Club’s legislative program to a new level, and we extend our appreciation to everyone who helped make it possible.