Legislative Alerts

This past week, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill allowing the state to establish regulations regarding food establishments.  The bill includes an amendment stating that no rule may ban allowing dogs or cats at any establishment that sells only pre-packaged food. The rules established by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection under […]

Yesterday, the Illinois General Assembly officially sent a bill to the governor that would ban the retail sale of pets in the state. Animal rights activists are flooding the governor’s office with calls and letters of support.  Even if you have already done so, we encourage all dog owners, breed rescues, and clubs in the […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction today of the bipartisan Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2021 (HDIA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and urges you to join AKC in thanking Representatives Kurt Schrader, DVM (D-OR) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) for their leadership in introducing the measure and in asking your member of Congress to support […]

The Colorado Governor has signed a bill that provides monetary incentives for certain large events held in the state between July 2, 2021 and December 31, 2022, in order to encourage organizations to host meetings and events in Colorado. This program may be of interest to clubs organizing national specialties or other large multi-day shows […]

On Friday, June 25, New Hampshire’s Governor Sununu signed HB 2, the state budget, into law.  Section 302 of the law establishes a new electronic statewide animal records database.  Details regarding the background on this legislation can be viewed in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) update last week. Animal Records Database Established: In New Hampshire, […]

On Tuesday, June 29, the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee will meet and consider H. 5580, Custody Procedures for Pets in Divorce/Separation. 5580 would create a custody procedure for pets in divorce and separation proceedings based on the best interests of the animal. While that standard is similar to the one used in child custody […]

Yesterday, June 24, the New Hampshire House of Representatives approved HB 2, a state budget bill that includes text establishing an animal records database, and it is on its way to the Governor’s desk for approval.  This text contains many amendments requested by AKC and its state federation. Background: In January 2021, the American Kennel […]

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS),  announced on June 24 that it is re-issuing a rule to require that breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers and other animal enterprises subject to USDA licensing establish emergency/ contingency planning in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or […]

Last evening, the city of Stamford’s Legislative and Rules Committee hosted a public hearing on a proposed tethering ordinance requiring an owner or keeper to remain outside with a tethered dog and keep it within view.  In a prior alert, American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) provided details on the proposal and urged resident […]

Today, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee adopted amendments to Assembly Bill 2401, the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act”.  The bill is now scheduled for a voting session by the full Assembly on Thursday, June 24, at 1PM. The American Kennel Club (AKC) expressed strong concerns with earlier versions of A.2401, particularly with the bill’s disparate […]