This edition of Taking Command reviews legislative highlights from 2016, and assesses how they may impact responsible dog ownership in your state and community, and provides guidance on new laws that go into effect in 2017.
The AKC Government Relations Team is pleased to announce a new emphasis and expansion in regional outreach starting in 2017. New initiatives include regional legislative conferences throughout the country. AKC GR’s first regional conference will focus on New England, and takes place on January 22 in Massachusetts. Most spaces, offered to New England Clubs, Legislative and Federation leaders have already been spoken for. As of publication time, a few spaces may still be available. For more information, contact Phil Guidry at pmg@akc.org or doglaw@akc.org.
In other exciting news, AKC’s first regional legislative analyst outreach representative has been deployed in the field to directly help constituents in the Southeastern Region of the United States. Patty Van Sicklen is a veteran legislative analyst for the AKC GR team, and will be based out of Birmingham, Alabama. If you live in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina, Patty is available to work directly with you, your club, federation or legislative liaisons and assist you with legislative, public policy or other related outreach issues. She can be reached directly at 919-816-3645 or at pvs@akc.org.
In addition to expanding regional resources, the AKC GR team will also be participating at Meet the Breeds at Piers 92 &94 in New York City on February 11. We will once again welcome a multitude of legislators from the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state region as honorary chairs. In next month’s newsletter, we will provide a list of all tri-state legislators who agreed to be honorary chairs, so stay tuned if you live in the area to see if your legislators joined us! The GR team will also have a canine policy/ education booth at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on February 13-14. If you are there, please stop by to say hello, meet representatives from the AKC GR team, and get the latest updates or discuss canine policy in your state/ community.
Also if you stop by our booth at Westminster, please check out a fundraiser to benefit the AKC Canine Legislation Support Fund (CLSF). For a donation of $25, you could win an exciting experience at Seaworld® Orlando, including special behind-the-scenes access, swimming with the dolphins, hotel accommodations, and a gift card to use toward airfare. This experience was generously donated by Julian Prager and Jack McDaniel to the AKC Canine Legislation Support Fund on behalf of the National Animal Interest Alliance.
Additional events are also being planned for other regions of the country. And of course, we always want to know if you hear of legislation or proposed public policy that could impact responsible dog ownership where you live. Reach out to the GR team at our main number 929-816-3720 or via doglaw@akc.org. We’re here to be a
The American Kennel Club and the AKC Government Relations Department (AKC GR) wish you a happy and healthy 2017.