This past month, AKC GR staff had the privilege of escorting a local New Jersey lawmaker around the prestigious Morris and Essex show. This was an excellent opportunity for the lawmaker to see firsthand the true value of AKC shows – from the celebration of purebred dogs and quality breeding, to responsible pet ownership, to the economic value the shows bring to the state and local community.
As you are planning your shows for the rest of 2025 and beginning your planning for next year, consider inviting local lawmakers from your state legislature, county or city council. Offer them tours and invite them to present an award. This is a wonderful opportunity for lawmakers to get to know you better, and to educate them about responsible dog breeders and owners.
We continue to see cities and counties seeking to regulate dog ownership and breeding, and legislatures will soon begin to pre-file bills for upcoming sessions. Visit the AKC Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org, click on the Toolbox, and scroll down to the Advocacy Assistance and Sample Letter boxes for assistance on inviting lawmakers to your events.
This is also a great time of year to refresh your club or federation on being effective advocates. Recently, AKC GR staff spoke at the Missouri Animal Husbandry Association conference to encourage breeders to reach out to lawmakers, share their stories, and speak up on behalf of their dogs and breeding programs. We are also proud to announce the launch of a new animated video on how a bill becomes a law. The video is located in the Legislative Action Center toolbox at www.akcgr.org. We encourage you to share this at club meetings as a refresher on the legislative process as bills begin to be introduced for the end of sessions this year and the beginning of 2026 sessions.
Too often lawmakers and the public hear misinformation from activists regarding breeding and purebred dogs. To protect our future as responsible breeders, exhibitors and hobbyists, it’s vital that we educate about the true story, science, and facts of purebred dog ownership and breeding, both proactively and in response to false information. Check out a recent blog that does just that.
For assistance in communicating with lawmakers, or to request a virtual or in person presentation by AKC GR staff to your club, contact us at doglaw@akc.org.