Monday, August 12, 2019
The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) is pleased to announce that amended New Jersey Assembly Bill 4552 was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on Friday, August 9.
See AKC’s position statement on Protection for Puppy Purchasers.
As introduced, A.4552 sought to prohibit predatory pet leasing schemes that victimize potential owners, undermine a lifetime commitment to a pet, and do not confer the rights responsibilities associated with legal ownership of a pet. The American Kennel Club (AKC) was concerned, however, that the bill also would have banned leases commonly used by breeders to preserve specific bloodlines and breeds of dogs, which historically have been sanctioned and recorded by AKC. Upon AKC’s request, the bill was amended to include explicit protections for such leases for both dogs and cats.
Click here for the amended version of A.4552.
AKC Government Relations thanks the many individuals and organizations that advocated in favor of amendments to A.4552. For more information on A.4552 or other dog-related legislation pending in New Jersey, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.