Here you can access a list of AKC Government Relations resources available to help you be effective advocates for responsible dog ownership and breeding! Be sure to check back often, as we are continuously adding new items.
If you have any questions about these materials, or are dealing with a canine legislation issue, please contact AKC Government Relations at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
About AKC
- Above and Beyond
- Above and Beyond (version for lawmakers)
AKC Government Relations Resources
- View a brief overview of resources available to help you.
AKC Resources Sorted by Issue
Advocacy Assistance/Public Outreach
- Be Your Dog’s Best Friend… And a Good Neighbor
- Be Your Dog’s Best Friend… And a Good Neighbor — Spanish version
- Canine Legislation: What is the AKC Doing About it? What Can You Do?
- CLSF and PAC Comparison
- Club Options for Political Involvement
- Communicating Effectively with Your Legislators — brochure
- Communicating Effectively with Your Legislators — printable flyer
- How a Bill Becomes a Law — infographic
- Making Your Contact Count
- What to do When a Bad Bill is Introduced
- AKC CLSF Expands Advocacy and Education
Articles and Issue Analyses
- Consumer Protection Laws Protect the Public and Animals
- Dispelling the Myths of Cropped Ears, Docked Tails, Dewclaws and “Debarking”
- Bond for Care
- Why Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws are Ineffective
- Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work
- Breed-Discrimination by Insurers Leads to Unsound, Inefficient, and Unfair Practices
- The Value of Responsible Dog Breeders
- Conformation Shows — More Than Just a Pretty Face
- AKC’s Government Relations Department Legislative Analysis Service
- Unintended Consequences: PUPS/Proposed APHIS Regulations
- It’s About the Dogs! Non-Economic Damages Claims Harm Animal Wellbeing
- Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Bond for Care Bills Can Hurt Disadvantaged Dog Owners
- Rescue Dogs and Stopping a Potential Danger
- Understanding USDA Dog Breeder Licensing
Canine Legislation Awareness Flyers
- Can you imagine a world without dogs?
- Cuddle This — horizontal version
- Cuddle This — vertical version
- Election Day — Your Rights Could Hang in the Balance
- Where Did All the Dogs Go?
Canine Travel
- COVID-19 News: Airlines Make It Harder To Fly With Dogs, Cats And Other Pets
- NEWS: Delta Stops Accepting Pets As Checked Baggage
- CDC Travel Awareness Flyers
- United States Import Policies
- Appropriate Use of Service Dogs
- Canine Travel Guide
Economic Impact of Dog Shows
- 2021 AKC Impact by State — one-page handout
- 2021 AKC Impact Full Report
- 2021 AKC Impact By State Cover Letter/Overview
- The Economic Benefits of AKC Dog Events
Government Relations Brochures/Handouts
- AKC Care & Conditions Policy
- AKC’s Government Relations Department: Here to Help You!
- Legislative Liaison Program
- Animal Limit Laws: Better Alternatives — one-page handout
- List of States that Prohibit BSL (updated June 2017)
- The Dangers of “Guardianship” — brochure
- The Dangers of “Guardianship” — infographic
- The Deed…Not the Breed
- Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community — booklet (download only)
- Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community — handout
- Establishing a Dog Park in Your Community — infographic
- Safe Housing for Dogs
- The Question of Tethering
Government Relations Issue Briefs
- AKC Inspections
- Breed-Specific Legislation
- Cropping and Docking
- Dog Limit Laws
- Mandatory Spay-Neuter
- Responsible Breeding Practices
Government Relations Position Statements
- Canine Legislation Summary Position Statements — List of all policy position statements
- Animal Terrorism
- Breeding Regulations and Restrictions
- Canine Population Issues
- Civil Damages in Cases Involving Injury to Pets
- “Dangerous Dog” Control Legislation
- Debarking
- Dog Auctions
- Dog Fighting
- Dog Training
- Due Process Protections for Dog Owners
- Ear Cropping, Tail Docking and Dewclaw Removal
- Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act
- Groomer Safety and Licensing
- “Guardian” v. Owner
- Homeowners’ Insurance and Dangerous Dogs
- Misuse of Service Dogs
- Pet Choice
- Pet Imports: Protecting Pet and Public Health
- Proper Care and Humane Treatment of Dogs
- Protection for Puppy Purchasers
- Protections for Pets under State Domestic Violence Acts
- Public Transportation for Dogs
- Purebred Dog Breeding
- Purebred Dog Rescue
- Rehoming of Dogs Previously Used in Research
- Responsible Breeding Practices
- Responsible Dog Ownership
- Spaying and Neutering
- Tethering
- The Advantages of Purebred Dogs
- The Right to Keep and Enjoy Dogs
- Use of Dogs in Research
- Use of Dogs in Sporting, Working, and Competition Activities
- Use of Working, Assistance & Service Dogs
- Working and Detection Dogs
Policy/Informational Packets
Contact the AKC Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org to request more information or to order these items:
- Consumer Protection Legislation Packet — Discussion, position statement and sample laws concerning “puppy lemon laws.”
- Dangerous Dog Legislation Packet — Discussion, position statements and sample laws concerning dangerous dog laws.
- Organizing State Federations Packet — Discussion of how to organize statewide groups to share information on canine legislation and conserve resources.
- Preventing Breeding Restrictions Packet — Discussion of legislative proposals that would restrict or regulate dog breeding.
Presentations
- Click here to view presentations and videos about legislative topics and successful advocacy.
Sample Letters to the Editor
- Breed-Specific Legislation — PDF
- Breeder Regulations — PDF
- Breeder Regulations — Ownership Limits — PDF
- Limit Laws — Word | PDF | Text
- Mandatory Spay/Neuter — PDF
Sample Letters to Lawmakers
- Breed-Specific Legislation — PDF
- Breeder Regulations — PDF
- Ear Cropping/Tail Docking — PDF
- Limit Laws — PDF
- Mandatory Spay Neuter — PDF
- Constituent Introduction to Lawmakers — PDF
- Club Introduction to Lawmakers — PDF
Social Media Memes
Canine Legislation Candidate Survey
- Candidate Survey — PDF