The 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned after considering a range of measures impacting dog owners, breeders, and animal welfare stakeholders. The American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) team remained actively engaged throughout the session, by working with state and local partners to advocate for responsible dog ownership policies and balanced, workable legislation.
Key Enacted Legislation: Animal Cruelty Database
Intended to improve transparency and help prevent repeat cruelty offenses, SB 587:
- Creates a publicly searchable database of individuals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses,
- Requires courts to submit conviction data,
- Directs the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to maintain the system, and
Allow shelters and rescues to screen potential adopters.
AKC remains concerned with impacts that may result when animal cruelty databases are created. Aliases, false birthdates, and forged documents are often used to evade identification as a violator. In cases involving mental health challenges like animal hoarding disorder, cruelty databases may inhibit or prohibit the use of key treatment/recovery plan components. Moreover, violator databases have proven to have no impact on reducing the rates of repeat offenses.
Legislation of Concern: New Breeder Regulations
SB 590 proposed expanded regulations on dog breeders, including revised definitions and additional care standards. Following advocacy efforts by AKC, the Georgia Canine Coalition (GCC), and stakeholders, a scheduled committee hearing was cancelled, which effectively ended further consideration of the bill this session.
AKC remains concerned that proposals of this nature could:
- Impose one-size-fits-all requirements for dog breeders,
- Create burdens for responsible hobby breeders, and
- Limit responsible dog ownership.
Further attempts at regulating dog breeders remains eligible for consideration in future legislative sessions.
AKC Advocacy in Georgia
The outcome on SB 590 reflects the importance of early and coordinated advocacy efforts. During the session, AKC:
- Engaged lawmakers on the impact of proposed legislation,
- Partnered with GCC and local clubs,
- Activated grassroots advocacy efforts from dog owners and breeders, and
- Helped halt or reshape concerning proposals.
Looking Ahead
AKC commends the Georgia Canine Coalition for its continued successful leadership in the pursuit of reasonable dog-related laws throughout Georgia, as well as the many individuals who successfully advocated in defense of their rights to breed and own dogs responsibly.
While the 2026 Georgia session brought achievements for dog breeders and owners, challenges—like the enactment of the cruelty registry bill—remain. Even though the legislative session has ended, it remains critically important that dog breeders and owners continue to build relationships with state lawmakers. Those relationships will serve as the foundation for successful future advocacy efforts when problematic legislation is filed in future sessions. To learn more, read Advocacy Tips for Clubs, Breeders, and Dog Owners at AKC’s Legislative Action Center.
AKC is committed to protecting the rights of Georgia’s responsible dog breeders and owners while also promoting the well-being of dogs across the state. AKC GR will continue to monitor local and state legislative developments from throughout Georgia, and work with policymakers to support balanced approaches that protect both dogs and responsible owners.