Legislative Alerts

At a recent meeting, the Council of the District of Columbia approved final passage of amendments to the District’s Animal Care and Control Act.  The legislation now awaits Mayor Muriel Bowser’s signature. Among other provisions included in B24-0560, is the requirement to pay for the costs of boarding (Bond for Care) animals that are seized […]

On Tuesday, Congressional lawmakers released the final version of a must-pass $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 federal spending bill that provides funding for the U.S. Government. The agreement between House and Senate appropriators contains spending for several key areas impacting dogs. It also includes report language impacting canine policy, including legislative proposals AKC has tracked […]

This week, the Ohio Department of Agriculture finalized rules regarding high volume dog breeders, dog brokers, and pet stores.  The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) published and distributed information about the proposed rule changes in March 2022. Summaries of the finalized rule changes are provided for readers’ convenience; however, impacted entities are […]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed several bills supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) that will benefit dogs and dog owners throughout the state: S.6870/A. 6246 – Regulations on Animal Shelters, Importation These bills contain numerous new requirements to ensure the appropriate care of animals at shelters.  They also include some requirements for […]

Today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she has signed a ban on the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores in the state. While details are still forthcoming, a press release announced that the legislation will go into effect in 2024 and “allow pet stores to charge shelters rent to use […]

On December 20, the Council of the District of Columbia are expected to consider final passage of amendments to the District’s Animal Care and Control Act. Among other provisions, B24-0560 addresses the issue of animals that are seized and the costs of their care during impoundment (Bond for Care).  Additionally, this proposal contains language that […]

Last week, a bill was filed in the New Jersey Assembly that seeks to regulate “residential kennels”.  Assembly Bill 4920 would define residential kennel as a “residential property owned or rented by a person on or at which the person keeps, houses, or otherwise possesses 15 to 25 dogs.”  It would impose numerous requirements on […]

A bill is pending on the New York governor’s desk that, if signed, will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency that has no affiliation with breeders. New York residents are strongly encouraged […]

According to Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County staff, a second vote on a proposed animal ordinance has been rescheduled for January 17, 2023. At this time, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance has not been scheduled. View the proposal. The most recent version, BL2022-1571, is less problematic than a previous version that was withdrawn […]

An extremely problematic proposed animal ordinance that would trample the due process rights of animal owners, require licensing and inspection of every person who sells or transfers a dog or cat, and that contains numerous additional overreaching provisions has been carried over to the December 21, 2022, Parish Council meeting.  It is unclear if an […]