Legislative Alerts

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced that it is seeking comments from the public regarding appropriate standards for (1) the care of breeding female dogs at dog breeding facilities and (2) exercise and socialization of dogs subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Details: […]

The Philadelphia City Council will be holding a final vote on Thursday, February 19, on a three-year moratorium on the breeding, sale, and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia.  See Previous alert. You are strongly encouraged to act now and mobilize others to protect responsible breeding and dog ownership in Philadelphia […]

A Hawaii Senate Committee will consider a bill tomorrow  (Wednesday, February 18, at 9:30 AM), that seeks to define a dog breeder, set care and conditions for dog breeders, assess regular fees through a licensing system, limit accepted dog breeding practices, and cap total number of dogs allowed to be owned. Hawaiian residents are encouraged […]

On Tuesday, February 17, at 1:30 pm, the Arizona Senate Natural Resources Committee will consider Senate Bill 1539 and Senate Bill 1675, both of which impact dog breeders. Those who wish to comment may do so by using the contact information listed below. SB 1539 -- Animal Breeders; Dogs; Cats; Taxes This bill imposes arbitrary, […]

Today, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee released its draft language for the 2026 Farm Bill - the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. This measure reauthorizes key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs for five years and typically serves as a vehicle to address federal priorities in the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). […]

The Philadelphia City Council will be holding a final vote on Thursday, February 19, on a three-year moratorium on the breeding, sale, and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia. Today at a full council meeting, a few amendments were adopted, but they do not address the concerns with this proposal.  There […]

The Virginia Senate could soon vote on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. Senate Bill 707 banning […]

Tomorrow (February 12), an Iowa House subcommittee will consider a positive bill increasing the threshold of what constitutes a commercial breeder in Iowa. The bill also seeks to fix a longstanding problem wherein hobbyists have been improperly categorized as commercial kennels, resulting in significant barriers that have prevented some hobbyists from obtaining dogs in another […]

Last week, a Hawaii House committee deferred consideration of a bill to mandate the sterilization of dogs being imported into the state. However, Friday, at 3:10 PM a Senate committee will consider a bill with the same legislative text. Hawaiian residents are strongly encouraged to contact the committee today and ask them to not support […]

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Philadelphia City Council will be considering a proposal that would impose a three-year moratorium on the breeding, sale, and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia. You are strongly encouraged to act now and mobilize others to protect responsible breeding and dog ownership in Philadelphia by […]