Legislative Alerts

Two bills will be considered in Illinois on Tuesday, April 10, that would allow private citizens to remove animals from locked vehicles if they have a good faith belief the animal is in imminent danger. The AKC agrees that no person or animal should ever be left in a situation where their health or safety […]

On Monday, April 9, the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will hear testimony on a bill to require state animal shelters and animal control facilities to report certain information regarding the animals entering and leaving the facilities. House Bill 5477, initiated by the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO), is an important […]

The Onondaga County Legislature had been considering two proposals that would impact a dog owner’s ability to keep their dog outside. The AKC Government Relations department urged residents and those who participate in events in Onondaga County to share concerns with Legislator Ryan’s proposal, which would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more […]

A bill is pending final approval in the Kansas House of Representatives that would mandate unannounced inspections of all state licensees- including hobbyists. In Kansas, a hobby breeder must be licensed if 3-5 litters are produced and under 30 animals sold in a year.  Unannounced inspections could prove challenging, as it is a hobby and […]

New Hampshire Senate Bill 569, which seeks to expand those considered “commercial kennels” by the state and create bond for care requirements, is scheduled for consideration by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.  This may be residents’ last chance to personally express concerns with SB 569.  All concerned dog owners […]

The Onondaga County Legislature is considering 2 proposals on Tuesday, April 3, that would impact the ability to keep a dog outside: Legislator Ryan’s proposal would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more than 2 hours when the temperature is lower than 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  Although it does […]

Friday, March 30, 2018 After amendment and passage by the New Hampshire Senate, Senate Bill 569, which seeks to expand those considered “commercial kennels” by the state and create bond for care requirements, has been scheduled for consideration by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.  Both the American Kennel Club […]

The Maryland Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, March 29, which will prohibit retail pet stores (defined as any “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as pets”) from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to […]

Connecticut House Bill 5566, which is scheduled to be considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 26, seeks to make it an infraction for an individual to knowingly misrepresent a pet as a service animal or being trained to be a service animal. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports House Bill 5566 and […]

The New York State Assembly could soon vote on a bill that would impact hobby breeders who breed and sell animals in the state. New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State Assemblyperson to express concerns with Assembly Bill 465. Summary: Currently, the State of New York has numerous regulations for “pet dealers”, […]