Legislative Alerts

According to a May 18, 2020, article, as Vermont begins to re-open from the COVID-19 pandemic, animal importers have asked Governor Phil Scott to authorize the resumption of interstate pet transports to supply Vermont shelters with dogs sourced from outside the state.  The article also details how some shelters are considering breeding dogs themselves to […]

The following chart provides information on COVID-19 shelter in place/closure orders with respect to rules impacting access to pet care, supplies, and services.  This document will be updated to reflect changing circumstances as new information becomes available. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many states are shutting down all but what they deem to be essential […]

As you may have already seen, the COVID-19 outbreak and preventative public health measures are having a significant impact on legislative schedules and hearings around the country. Schedules are evolving rapidly.  As of (10:00 AM on 5/21/20), here are the latest schedule updates impacting legislation at the state and federal level. Please continue to check […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction today of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2020  in the U.S. House of Representatives. AKC is grateful for the bi-partisan leadership of Congressmen Abraham (LA-5), Schrader (OR-5) and Yoho (FL-3) in sponsoring the bill, and believes this will go a long way to addressing concerns about recent […]

The Oak Grove City Council could hold a second and enacting vote on changes to the city’s animal ordinance at its regular city council meeting tomorrow, May 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.  Neither the meeting agenda nor the text of the proposed ordinance were available at the time this legislative alert was released.  Therefore, it […]

Banning breed-specific laws (BSL) is probably the most common issue on which most animal advocates agree – yet it is one of the most difficult issues to pass. Last week, advocates in Missouri tried numerous political maneuvers to finally pass a law banning breed-specific policies in the state, but unfortunately none were successful. In 2019, […]

Earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the finalization of new Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations.  The changes were made in an effort to promote compliance, reduce license fees, and strengthen safeguards to prevent individuals and businesses with a history of noncompliance from obtaining […]

SUCCESSFUL RESULT ON HB 1822/SB 989 OUTREACH More than 100 emails to Massachusetts lawmakers from dog owners and parent breed club members were accompanied by a formal joint letter in opposition to HB 1822 and SB 989 and signed by AKC, the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, the National Animal Interest Alliance, the New England Policemen Benevolent […]

In 2017, California passed a law that limited consumer choice in the state by banning the sales of dogs and cats at pet stores, unless they are sourced from a shelter or rescue. Since this went into effect, there have been concerns expressed by supporters of the law that loopholes remain.  As a result, the […]

Today, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it has adopted updates to the regulations it uses to enforce the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  The updates, which will be officially published tomorrow, May 13, reflect public comments and finalized changes to a proposed rule that was […]