Legislative Alerts

An amendment to the House Farm Bill (HR 7567) proposed by animal rights groups threatens the future of AKC performance events and recognized hunt training techniques. Please join AKC and leading sportsmen’s organizations in defending responsible dog enthusiasts, sportsmen and trainers. Please contact your member of the U.S. Congress and respectfully ask Congress to remove […]

Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 31), a New York Senate committee will consider legislation 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. The AKC opposes the portion of Assembly Bill 8551 which would restrict the rights of […]

The Colorado Senate is expected to vote as early as tomorrow (March 28) on a bill that restricts consumer choice and some sales, and makes false claims about breeders and pet stores. Colorado residents are strongly encouraged to both call and email the following Senators.  Ask them to oppose HB 26-1011 as written and amend […]

South Carolina Senate Bill 720, the South Carolina Humane Dog Breeding Act, seeks to establish state oversight of professional dog breeders, which is defined as a person who possesses ten or more intact adult female dogs for breeding and sale, or who sells more than fifteen puppies or more than two litters in a calendar […]

A bill addressing Hawaii’s feral cat overpopulation crisis (HB1736) was deferred this week in a joint committee (and will not advance this year). The bill also saw an attempt to add an amendment to require dogs be spayed/neutered before entering the state. This is the third time this year that the Hawai’i Legislature has rejected […]

As stated in a previous alert, The Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 707 which bans “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 […]

Alabama Senate Bill 361, which addresses the tethering and confinement of dogs, has advanced in the legislative process. The bill was read for the second time and placed on the Senate calendar on March 19, 2026. S. 361 was previously referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental Affairs. In Alabama, a bill being “read […]

The Maryland bill which required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped is highly unlikely to advance this session.  Thanks to the many club members and breeders joining AKC in making your voice heard, the House Economic Matters Committee held House Bill 1551 and did not advance it […]

As the 2026 Florida Legislative Session concludes its policy calendar, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Government Relations team is pleased to provide a final update on key legislative outcomes impacting dog owners, breeders, and the broader purebred community across the state. While the Legislature will reconvene budget negotiations, all substantive policy matters of relevance to […]

Delaware: Senate Committee to Consider Bill Banning Pet Sales on Wednesday On Wednesday, March 25, the Delaware Senate Health & Social Services Committee will consider legislation prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes HB 131 and encourages all concerned Delaware residents to share their opposition […]