Legislative Alerts

The Ohio Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee has rescheduled the vote on Senate Bill 95 for Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.  No testimony will be permitted at this hearing.  This bill continues to be amended and the AKC expects further amendments to be added prior to Tuesday’s vote. The […]

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced US Senate bill S. 3424 late Tuesday evening. The bill is designed to close the “internet loophole” in the Animal Welfare Act which allows breeders who sell numerous puppies over the internet or directly to the public to avoid the USDA regulation required of other breeder-retailers. The measure, called […]

On May 13, the Georgia Department of Agriculture published a notice of intent to adopt amendments to rules that would increase fees for animal shelters, kennels, pet dealers and stables. These fees are a part of an across-the-board increase in state fees that are designed to help offset state budget cuts that have been made […]

The American Kennel Club wishes to thank all those who worked so hard during the 2010 legislative session to oppose Senate Bill 1712 and to ensure that laws that govern dog breeders in Oklahoma are reasonable, enforceable and fair. Despite the efforts of many responsible dog owners and breeders, the measure was passed by House […]

New York Assembly Bill 5507, known as "Charlemagne’s Law", will be considered by the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18.  Among its many provisions, the bill seeks to amend the state’s existing definition of "pet dealer", creates a new definition of "commercial kennels", and seeks to impact those designated as such with […]

The Hollister City Council has given the city attorney permission to draft an ordinance to mandate the sterilization of all Chihuahuas and "pit bulls" in city limits. This is in response to a recent report by the Hollister Animal Control stating that there has been a significant increase in shelter intake, euthanasia, and dog attacks […]

A panel of volunteers appointed by the Point Coupee Police Jury has recommended breed-specific changes to the Parish’s animal control ordinance, which it will consider at its meeting on May 25.  The American Kennel Club strongly opposes breed-specific legislation, and encourages all Point Coupee residents to contact the members of the Parish’s Police Jury listed […]

The Missouri Legislature adjourns this Friday, May 14, and your calls and e-mails are making a difference!  Now more than ever, it is important that your senator knows that you support House Joint Resolution 86.  The AKC and Missouri Federation of Animal Owners request that you call your senator one more time and ask them […]

The Ohio Senate State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs Committee will likely consider amendments to Senate Bill 95 during its meeting on May 11, 2010.  While no draft is currently available, the AKC understands that these amendments will further clarify changes that were previously adopted by the committee.  No public testimony will be allowed […]

The AKC Government Relations Department has confirmed that the New Orleans City Council will consider a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance this Thursday, May 6, 2010.  The proposal, in a purported effort to address three well-publicized dog bite incidents in New Orleans, seeks to require all dogs be sterilized by six months of age or require their […]