Legislative Alerts

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the Land Development Regulation Commission of Marion County, Florida, will hold  a public hearing on “Limitations on Ownership and Possession of Dogs and Cats for unincorporated areas of the county”.  The proposal includes updated, restrictive definitions impacting dog ownership in the county, including commercial breeder (new), high volume breeder (new), […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as soon as possible on H. 5926, which is intended to compensate for the loss of companionship, love, and affection provided by a pet that has been seriously injured or killed due to another person’s unlawful and intentional or negligent actions by allowing […]

A bill in Illinois seeks to require all breeders to “have their dogs genetically tested for diseases that cause early death or physical impairments.”  If a “genetic defect or mutation” is found that would cause this, it would require that the dog sterilized immediately. It is possible that this bill could be considered as early […]

Currently, animal owners in California can perform certain functions on their animals like 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 is up for consideration by the California Legislature on Tuesday, March 4, as a part of their […]

A bill seeking to address concerns in animal shelters and to regulate hobbyist dog breeders, was recently introduced. The proposal, sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation, insinuates that people who breed as few as ONE litter are contributing to animal shelter population concerns, and, therefore, should incur significant regulations. What You Can Do: Although the […]

On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee will accept public testimony on SB 1386, concerning dog breed insurance underwriting and service dogs.  The bill would prohibit homeowners' insurance and renters' insurance policies from discriminating based on harboring or owning any dog of a specific breed or mixture of […]

The New Hampshire (NH) House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hear public testimony on multiple bills impacting dogs next week. SUPPORT CONFISCATION OF ANIMALS FROM PERSONS SUSPECTED OF OR CHARGED WITH ABUSE OF ANIMALS: On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the committee has a public hearing scheduled at 1PM for HB 616, which would (1) ensure […]

Under current Alabama law, animal abandonment is considered a type of animal cruelty.  House Bill 249 seeks to create a new criminal law for animal abandonment separate from the state’s animal cruelty statute.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports HB 249, and encourages all Alabama residents to contact the members of the House Agriculture and […]

Tennessee Senate Bill 916 seeks to update the state’s criminal laws by adding animal fighting as a recognized form of racketeering activity. The American Kennel Club (AKC) unequivocally opposes dog fighting and the breeding and/or training of dogs for fighting.  As a means to further address and curb illegal activities associated with animal fighting, AKC […]

The Connecticut Joint Planning and Development Committee’s public hearing agenda for Monday, February 24, 2025, includes HB 6998, which would (1) require dog license renewals every three years, not annually; (2) require an owner to annually submit a valid rabies certificate for each dog to the town clerk; and (3) impose no penalty for failure […]