The Canine Legislation Department is pleased to announce that Charlotte McGowan has been named a recipient of the AKC Community Achievement Award for her diligent work on legislative matters of interest to the dog fancy. The award recognizes outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations, and their members. Each honoree receives a certificate and a $1,000 check payable to the club or federation to support public education and canine legislation efforts.

Charlotte received this recognition for her outstanding service as Legislative Liaison for two parent clubs: the Papillon Club of America and the American Shetland Sheepdog Association. She was also recently named legislative chair for the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and the legislative point person for the National Animal Interest Alliance Trust, an association dedicated to promoting animal welfare, supporting responsible animal use and strengthening the bond between humans and animals.

“Charlotte’s steadfast commitment to protecting the rights of purebred dog owners has had a profound effect on the sport today,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC's VP of Communications. “Using her own time and money, she researches and monitors those issues effecting the fancy nationwide, and in her home state of Massachusetts, works tirelessly to petition lawmakers about the dangers of breed-specific and breeder licensing legislation. We are proud to recognize all of Charlotte’s efforts by honoring her with the AKC Community Achievement Award."

A firm advocate for the rights of dog owners, Charlotte spends a great deal of time and effort monitoring and distributing canine legislation information to interested parties. She reviews national and international news related to animal rights extremism and alerts the AKC Canine Legislation department and other interested groups of impending legislation. She then posts legislative news from all over the country to email lists informing the dog fancy and dog owners of current legislative issues in their locales.

Charlotte also regularly attends hearings on Boston’s Beacon Hill. In 2004, for example, McGowan spent three days in Boston lobbying against a proposed bill that required anyone who bred more than one litter a year to be licensed. She lobbied all 40 members of the Massachusetts State Senate, and recruited other fanciers to join her efforts. The breeder-licensing bill in question died in the conference committee. Unfortunately, this same proposal is back this year, but no doubt Charlotte will be working once again to help defeat this legislation.

The Port Chester Obedience Training Club (PCOTC) also received an AKC Community Achievement Award for its public education efforts throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. PCOTC members have worked diligently to promote responsible dog ownership and basic obedience training whenever possible. PCOTC’s agility, obedience and rally demonstrations at “AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day’s” 2004 flagship event in New York City were among the most popular with the audience.

Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Awards are accepted year-round. Up to three honorees are named each quarter. They receive a certificate and a $1,000 check payable to the club or federation’s public education and canine legislation efforts.