Legislative Alerts

Today is the deadline for bills to be heard in an Illinois committee.  Thanks to the many club members and breeders who took the time to register your concerns, the three bills of primary concern to the AKC will not advance in the spring session. These bills included HB 1902 (Mandatory Genetic Testing and Sterilization), […]

On March 18, testimony was taken on a bill (SB 1076) that establishes a licensing framework for all breeders who sell even one dog as a pet was heard by an Oregon state Senate committee. The bill is not currently scheduled for a follow-up vote by the committee and AKC continues to closely monitor it. […]

The New York Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact your State Senator TODAY to express your […]

The New York Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact your State Senator TODAY to express your […]

Currently, animal owners in California can perform certain functions on their animals such as giving vaccines or basic wound care under what’s known as the “owner exemption”—allowable under current regulations from the California Veterinary Medical Board (CMVB). This policy (and others affecting veterinarians) was considered last month by the California Legislature as a part of […]

On Monday, March 24, four bills impacting dogs are on the agenda for public hearing by the Connecticut Joint Committee on Environment.  OPPOSE HB 6277, AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF ANIMALS FROM ANIMAL BREEDERS AND ANIMAL TESTING FACILITIES This bill would: (1) require “animal breeders” (any person who breeds dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea […]

Minnesota Senate File 1029, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee on Friday, March 21, 2025, seeks to eliminate longstanding privacy and data protections for commercial breeders, which the state defines as those with more than 10 intact dogs and 5 litters a year.  The American […]

On Wednesday, March 19, a Nevada Assembly committee will be considering a bill to strengthen protections for animals by penalizing people who allow, permit or approve of animal torture or cruelty as defined in Nevada law. AB 381 also enhances penalties for those found to have been convicted of cruelty in especially egregious cases. AKC […]

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has proposed updates to the rules pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the state’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).  The reasonable updates would implement changes required by Senate Bill 24-045, which requires animal shelters and rescues to sterilize dogs and cats prior to adoption.  The proposal also: […]

This Wednesday, the public hearing agenda for the Rhode Island (RI) Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture includes S. 325, “Animal Care”, which seeks to significantly limit the scope of the state’s definition of “hobby breeder”.  It is imperative that all fanciers and enthusiasts in Rhode Island contact the members of the committee and urge […]