Here are some highlights of state and federal regulatory issues AKC GR recently addressed. Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations.
Federal – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is soliciting comments from the public on the use of antimicrobial drugs in companion animals. Specifically, FDA is interested in learning whether the use of such drugs has resulted in microorganisms—like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—becoming resistant to them. FDA hopes to engage with stakeholders, particularly veterinarians, and use the information they provide to develop and implement a strategy for promoting antimicrobial stewardship in companion animals. Click here for more information.
Arkansas – The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission has proposed extensive updates to the state’s general hunting, miscellaneous wildlife, and general fishing regulations. Of the 111 proposed changes, four pertain to the use of dogs and are not controversial. Read more
Colorado – The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has proposed rule revisions to implement the changes from House Bill 1102 of 2021, which requires pet stores to disclose specific information to prospective dog purchasers. It also requires each pet animal facility licensee to add an additional statement to the already-required written information that each licensee provides a prospective purchaser/adopter. The statement shall read, “This facility is regulated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) Program.” and must include the PACFA web address and phone number. Click here for more information.
North Carolina – 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 or registered as animal shelters, boarding kennels, pet shops, dealers, public auctions, and euthanasia technicians under the act. The proposal updates: (1) Recordkeeping requirements for animal shelters and boarding kennels; (2) Applicable definitions, and adds a new definition of “surgical procedure” that may limit artificial insemination procedures on licensed dealers’ breeding stock to those performed by North Carolina-licensed veterinarians; (3) Facilities and operating standards, including standards for food storage; fencing; indoor heating/cooling, ventilation, and drainage requirements; outdoor building standards; primary enclosure standards; feeding/watering standards; and sanitation standards; (4) Program of veterinary care requirements, including disease control practices; (5) Transportation standards; and (6) Euthanasia standards.
Ohio – As part of its required five-year review process, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has proposed extensive changes to regulations applying to high volume breeders, pet stores, and dog brokers. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages anyone potentially affected by the proposals to express their comments or concerns to ODA by March 30, 2022. For detailed information on the proposal and methods to contact ODA, read AKC’s March 11 post.
Texas – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are two vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee: one for a veterinarian and one for a licensed breeder. The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation and TDLR on matters regarding standards and fees that are established under the Act. Read more.
Texas – TDLR has also proposed changes to the rules applying to the Dog or Cat Breeders Act’s Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee. The proposal would ensure the rule conforms to statutory changes made in 2021, which require an advisory board to meet at the call of the executive director or presiding officer of the Committee. The current rule does not conform because it also allows the presiding officer of the advisory committee to call a meeting. The proposed rule eliminates all references to whom may call an advisory committee meeting, therefore relying specifically on the new statutory language.