The following are highlights of the numerous bills in Congress that could impact dog owners and the wellbeing of dogs.
Visit our 2025 Legislation Tracking map and click on “Federal Bills” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include:
U.S. Congress – “The Farm Bill”. This massive bill to reauthorize USDA funding is scheduled every five years and has historically been considered “must-pass” legislation. It commonly serves as a vehicle for animal and breeder related regulation. The measure did not pass in 2024 and is now 2 years behind schedule. The 2024 House bill contained measures AKC is strongly supportive of, including import requirements from the Healthy Dog Importation Act, statutory funding for the National Detector Dog Training Center, funding for domestic violence shelters that allow victims to shelter with their pets, and more. AKC was particularly pleased that this did not contain problematic legislation opposed by AKC. AKC is continuing the same priorities in 2025, particularly to keep problematic breeder regulation proposals from advancing.
U.S. Congress – “Goldie’s Act” (HR 349) would amend the federal Animal Welfare Act to redefine AWA violations and undermine priority for the care and wellbeing of animals by removing a distinction between care and welfare (direct) violations and paperwork/ non-welfare related (indirect) violations. While zero violations of any rules or laws should be the goal, AKC believes the care and wellbeing of animals must always be a priority. It also would require inspectors to destroy or remove an animal if they believe it is suffering psychological harm. The bill does not state how psychological harm would be determined or by whom.