Happy February! The American Kennel Club Government Relations team has been extremely busy this month as many state legislatures are in full swing. Make sure you check out the legislative updates to see what is going on in your state and community. [Link to updates section] Legislation moves quickly so it is also helpful to visit akcgr.org for the most updated information.
On February 10th, AKC and the Westminster Kennel Club hosted the Meet & Compete, featuring AKC Meet the Breeds and the 5th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about and interact with nearly 200 breeds of dogs and cats and talk with breeders and other top experts about each breed. They also watched the nation’s top canine competitors race against the clock at the agility championship. The AKC GR Department hosted a booth [link to article about Meet the Breeds] to educate the public about responsible dog ownership and canine legislative issues. A record 126 federal, state and local lawmakers participated as honorary chairs at the event and pledged to support responsible pet ownership. View an album of some of the Honorary Chairs and their pets here. The event was a huge success and more than 14,000 people enjoyed learning about and interacting with the different breeds.
The success of this event demonstrates the value of showcasing your dogs and canine activities to the public. If you have a dog show or other canine event in your community, it’s always a good idea to invite the public and your local lawmakers. AKC GR can provide you with talking points and state-specific information for you to educate lawmakers. Fostering understanding of canine activities and purpose-bred dogs creates better understanding and new allies for future policy debates.
Thank you for your continued support as a legislative liaison or dog enthusiast. If you hear of legislation or proposed public policy that could impact dog ownership where you live, please contact the GR team at 919-816-3720 or via doglaw@akc.org. We’re here to be a resource for you!