Legislative Alerts

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently issued an alert that the Barnstable, Massachusetts, Department of Animal was proposing changes to its dog regulations. The town has notified AKC that the town manager has extended the deadline to submit comments to December 8. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Barnstable residents are encouraged to review the proposal and […]

AKC has continued to track radical animal rights activists in their push to force a ballot initiative on Oregon voters in the November 2024 general election. Known as IP 3, or “The Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act”, the initiative would ban many dog-training practices and classify some humane dog breeding practices […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that the Barnstable, Massachusetts, Department of Animal Control held an October 18 public hearing on changes to its dog regulations.  The proposal would: Establish a new “multiple dog licenses” category for a private residence maintaining four to six dogs or for breeding dogs for show or sport which […]

The California State Legislature has adjourned for the year, and the deadline has passed for the Governor to take action on legislation sent to his desk.   Overall, AKC is pleased with the outcome of the 2023 legislative session. AKC is proud to have supported a bill that will make Californians safer by providing access to […]

Your federal Senators, Sen. Collins and King, are currently under pressure from animal rights groups to sponsor legislation to radically expand and shift oversight of federal breeder regulations. Senators Collins and King need to hear from you TODAY!  Let them know you are a constituent and ask them to not sponsor or support S. 2555, […]

On Wednesday, November 8, one dozen animal bills impacting dogs and breeders are on the agenda for review by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture (JENRA). The hybrid public hearing is scheduled to start at 1PM. The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has tracked most of these bills […]

This week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 746 into law (Act No. 18 of 2023), which makes several changes to the Commonwealth’s Dog Law, including requirements for licensed kennels (including rescues).  The Act becomes effective on January 21, 2024, and includes several changes including removing the difference in license fees for intact and sterilized animals.  It also […]

On Tuesday, October 31, an Ohio committee is taking testimony from supporters of a bill that will provide tax credits to pet-friendly landlords. Dog owners in Ohio are encouraged to contact the members of the House Ways and Means Committee in support of House Bill 277, which seeks to address shelter population concerns by helping […]

On Friday, October 20, the Los Angeles City Council directed that an ordinance be drafted to suspend the issuance of breeding permits in the city as a way to address shelter overpopulation concerns.  Public comments from key officials indicate that this could also curtail the ability to own intact animals in the city.  Should this […]

Last week, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted comments to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) on the first round of proposed regulations to implement the state’s amended breeder laws that were enacted earlier this year.   Information on the proposed rules may be viewed here. The proposed rules are limited to those needed […]