Legislative Alerts

1/4/22 Update:  Unfortunately, the Assembly Agriculture Committee approved an amended version of A.6099 by a vote of 4-1.  Two of the votes in favor of the bill were by committee members who were defeated in their recent reelection bids.  Like its companion bill S.4058 in the Senate, A.6099 may now be scheduled for consideration by […]

The Animal Welfare Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCAGR) is proposing updates to the rules used to carry out the state’s Animal Welfare Act.  The proposed revisions reflect changes in guidelines and best practices for licensees as well as changes in regulated industries. The rules apply to facilities licensed […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that, as early as January, New Hampshire House Bill 1308 will have a legislative hearing, during which lawmakers will decide whether beagle clubs should continue to be allowed to host field trials and capture 20 wild hare annually for purposes of training their scent hounds.  If adopted, the bill […]

The Caddo Parish Commission recently voted 10-1 in favor of an ordinance requiring dogs to be spayed or neutered, despite concerns raised by the AKC and local residents. The Ordinance will go into effect on July 1, 2022 for a period of two years. The parish will evaluate the ordinance's effects after two years. Unless […]

An ad hoc committee of the Montgomery City Council will meet again on Monday, December 20, 2021, to continue work on a proposed animal ordinance. Media reports indicate that the committee intends to propose: Expanded requirements to obtain a breeding permit, raising the annual permit fee from $20 to $150, and requiring the applicant to […]

12/13/21 update:  The Senate Environment and Energy Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 4058.  The committee amendment eliminated the provision that allowed courts to reduce the amount of costs assessed to only veterinary costs.  AKC believes this amendment further makes S.4058 untenable.  AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates should S.4058 progress […]

Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the final adoption of a rule, effective January 3, 2022, that requires licensees under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA)—including breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, and carriers—to establish emergency/contingency plans in the event of a natural or manmade disaster […]

The Caddo Parish Commission is moving forward with an animal control ordinance that would require sterilization of dogs and cats A public hearing will be held at the December 9th Commission meeting to gather feedback from the community.  AKC strongly encourages residents to attend the hearing and contact the commission to express your concerns with […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and a broad coalition of animal interests groups remain gravely concerned with New Jersey Senate Bill 2868 and its companion Assembly Bill 4533, which, if enacted as currently written, would create court-appointed legal advocates for animals. AKC supports the traditional legal classification of animals as personal property, which has resulted […]

This afternoon, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update to its current emergency rule that generally prohibits the importation of dogs into the U.S. from countries that are considered high-risk for rabies. Effective December 1, 2021, eligible travelers, U.S. citizens, or lawful U.S. residents with a valid U.S.-issued rabies […]