The month of June has been a busy one for canine advocates and the AKC GR team. Many state legislatures are holding marathon legislative days ahead of wrapping up their sessions for the July 4th holiday, and legislation continues to move fast.
On June 23-24, some 50 AKC Club Legislative Liaisons, state federation leaders, and canine advocates from across the country met in the nation’s capital to participate in the AKC Government Relations National Legislative Conference. The 2-day conference empowered attendees with tools, resources, networking opportunities and information to be effective advocates for dogs in their local communities.
A lobby day immediately following the conference provided participants the opportunity to meet with more than a dozen members of Congress and staff representing their districts.
The festivities also included a hugely successful Capitol Hill reception celebrating purpose bred dogs, which was attended by approximately 350 members of Congress, staff, and special guests. The event featured a mini “Meet the Breeds” with representatives from each of the seven AKC groups and a Capitol Hill and a “good will tour” by 2018 AKC National Championship Reserve Best In Show “Querida” (Samoyed GCHS Sammantic Querida), who visited congressional offices and the Senate gallery to raise awareness about purpose-bred dogs. Many thanks to Amy Kiell-Green and Andrew Green for bringing Querida to the Capitol.
AKC GR was also pleased to present several awards/grants to outstanding advocates this month.
AKC’s Bebout award for Leadership in Canine Legislation was presented to Alice Harrington at the legislative conference. As the Legislative Liaison for the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders, Ms. Harrington has worked tirelessly in Richmond on behalf of breeders and dog owners for many years.
In New Jersey, an AKC microgrant helped the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs hold a highly successful lobby day at their state capitol. Among other activities, the lobby day featured the awarding of AKC Legislator of the Year Award to NJ Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.
We thank everyone who participated in legislative advocacy and outreach on behalf of dogs in June. Your work helps to protect the future of dogs and dog ownership. As always, we are committed to continuing to partner with you in this important fight.
If you become aware of an issue in your state or local community or need assistance with public outreach, please do not hesitate to contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3720. We will work with you to help you get the tools and resources you need. Thank you for all you do!