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
Economic Impact of Dog Shows
- 2021 AKC Impact by State — one-page handout
- 2021 AKC Impact by State Full Report
- 2021 AKC Impact by State Cover Letter/Overview
- The Economic Benefits of AKC Dog Events
AKC Government Relations Resources
- About the Legislative Action Center
- View a brief overview of resources available to help you.
Policy Analysis
- Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work: An Analysis of Dangerous Dog Policy
- Consumer Protection/ “Puppy Lemon Laws”
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
- AKC’s Government Relations Department Legislative Analysis Service
- Conformation Shows — More Than Just a Pretty Face
- Consumer Protection Laws Protect The Public And Animals
- Dispelling the Myths of Cropped Ears, Docked Tails, Dewclaws and Debarking
- Bond for Care
- Breed-Discrimination by Insurers Leads to Unsound, Inefficient, and Unfair Practices
- Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Bond for Care Bills Can Hurt Disadvantaged Dog Owners
- It’s About the Dogs! Non-Economic Damages Claims Harm Animal Wellbeing
- The Value of Responsible Dog Breeders
- The Truth About Canine Ear Cropping, Tail Docking, Dewclaw Removal and ‘Debarking’
- Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work
- Why Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws are Ineffective
- Rescue Dogs and Stopping a Potential Danger
- What You Need To Know About Dogs & The Weather
- Keeping Dogs Safe in Inclement Weather
- Dog Limit Law
- Animals Need Responsible Owners, Not Guardians
- Laws that Provide Court-Appointed Animal Advocates Could Undermine Animal Welfare
- Understanding USDA Dog Breeder Licensing
Key Issues (View AKC Resources on common issues grouped by topic)
- COVID-19 Resources
- COVID-19 Civil Liability Limit Legislation
- Pet Imports: Protecting Pet & Public Health
- Detection Dogs
- Breeding Regulations and Restrictions
- Breed-Specific/Dangerous Dog Laws
- Consumer Protection/”Puppy Lemon Laws”
- Dogs in Vehicles: Avoiding Unintended Consequences
- Ear Cropping,Tail Docking, Dewclaw Removal and Debarking
- Legal Status of Animals
- Limit Laws
- Mandatory Spay/Neuter
- Service Dogs
- Pet Choice/Pet Store Restrictions
- Other Canine Policy Issues
Canine Legislation Awareness Flyers
- Take Government Relations Resources Home With You!
- 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?
Government Relations Awards
Did you know the AKC has several grant opportunities and awards that are given throughout the year to various AKC clubs, federations, and other exceptional community leaders who work to advance responsible dog ownership? Read more about the award opportunities.
- Walter Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation
- Legislator of the Year
- Community Achievement Award
Canine Travel
- COVID-19, airlines make it harder to fly with dogs, cats, other pets
- AKC Statement on Delta Cargo Embargo
- APHIS Updates Pet Travel Website with New Resources
- NEWS: Delta Stops Accepting Pets As Checked Baggage
- CDC Travel Awareness Flyers
- United States Import Policies
- Appropriate Use of Service Dogs
- Canine Travel Guide
- USDA: What You Need to Know When Importing Dogs Into The United States
Government Relations Brochures/Handouts
- AKC Care & Conditions Policy
- AKC’s Government Relations Department: Here to Help You!
- AKC Legislative Liaison Program
- Animal Limit Laws: Better Alternatives — one-page handout
- List of States that Prohibit BSL (updated June 2019)
- The Dangers of “Guardianship” — brochure
- The Dangers of “Guardianship” — infographic
- The Deed…Not the Breed
- The Dangers of “Guardianship” — 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
AKC Responsible Policy Videos - Arbitrary Temperature Requirements Can Harm Dogs
- Protecting Due Process Rights for Dog Owners
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
Canine Legislation Candidate Survey
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- Candidate Survey — PDF