The following are highlights of the numerous bills in Congress that could impact dog owners and the wellbeing of dogs.
Visit our 2026 Legislation Tracking map click on the arrow on the Region column to filter for US Federal legislation and 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. Senate – The Senate Agriculture Committee will be marking up draft language pertaining to federal dog laws in the 2026 Senate Farm Bill (Known as “Farm Bill 2.0”) later this month. As introduced, the bill supports important priorities for dog enthusiasts and responsible breeders, including canine health, welfare and the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders. This includes expanding USDA’s electronic health documentation requirements for pets entering the United States to protect pet and public health, while also providing an alternative (language from the Healthy Dog Importation Act) to the current, problematic ban on the import of all puppies under the age of 6 months). It also provides funding for: transitional shelters that allow victims of domestic violence to seek safety without leaving their pets behind and for the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center to establish additional detection dog training facilities.
U.S. Congress – AKC supports the House Farm Bill (HR 5767), which includes several positive provisions including: enhancement of pet protections under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA); additional resources for USDA to better enforce the AWA; enhancement of USDA’s electronic health documentation requirements for pets entering the United States (HR 3349) while also providing an alternative to the current, problematic ban on the import of puppies under the age of 6 months; funding for transitional shelters to allow victims of domestic violence to seek safety with their pets; and additional training facilities for the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center. The Farm Bill passed the House on April 30, 2026.
U.S. Congress – HR 3112/S. 1538, the so-called Better CARE for Animals Act, is a radical measure that would significantly expand federal courts’ jurisdiction to unilaterally prosecute violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and its regulations. It would empower the Department of Justice to circumvent the animal experts at USDA to file charges, including potentially criminal charges, bring a civil action (including restraining orders, impose penalties, injunctions, seizure of animals, and significant civil penalties) against breeders it deems to be in violation of USDA breeder licensing rules and regulations, regardless of whether USDA has determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the AWA. Owners could be forced to pay for the costs of care for seized animals by non-governmental entities, while legal proceedings are pending regardless of the ultimate outcome.
U.S. Congress – S. 4437 (“The Puppy Protection Act”), seeks to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to establish new arbitrary, one-size-fits-all federal mandates for USDA licensees including: prohibitions on the number of litters bred; prohibitions on breeding age; one-size fits all kennel engineering standards; mandated veterinary approval before breeding; mandating unrestricted access from primary enclosure to outdoor exercise yards large enough to achieve full stride; specific mental stimulation and socialization and annual dental exams, and more. GR staff continue to work actively to educate about the harmful unintended consequences associated with the one-size fits all requirements in this measure.
U.S. Congress – H.R. 3349 (the “Healthy Dog Importation Act”) would require owners/importers of all dogs imported into the U.S. to submit a valid health certificate from a USDA-recognized veterinary agency demonstrating that dogs being imported are microchipped and fully vaccinated or protected against contagious diseases and pathogens of concern to the USDA, including rabies. Unlike the current CDC rule, this measure focuses specifically on individual health status rather than country of origin. AKC is actively advocating for this important initiative which has been included in the House and Senate Farm Bills.