Legislative Alerts

Last night, the New York Senate passed a bill which will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency. Senate Bill 4234 now goes to the Assembly Agriculture Committee.  Session could be wrapping up […]

This week, the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released HB 4860, which seeks to enact law enforcement reforms.  217 amendments to the bill have also been filed for consideration, including several impacting police K-9 practices. In addition to creating certification training and standards for law enforcement, HB 4860 would: Require reports of “officer-related injuries […]

The California Senate recently passed Senate Bill 1115, which establishes procedures for phasing out commercial blood banks for animals (also defined in the bill as “captive closed-colony” blood banks), which are facilities where animals are kept, raised, and housed for the sole purpose of blood collection. The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on […]

Action to remove from the table a proposed second reading of a problematic animal ordinance is on the agenda of the Aiken County Council Meeting for July 21, 2020.  Removal from the table allows the council to consider the troublesome proposal. Read the county Meeting Notice with information and links to meeting documents. Read AKC’s […]

The Chicago City Council could vote on Wednesday (July 22) on a proposal that would ban hobby breeding in the city without extensive permits and requirements. Those who reside, have registered a litter, or participate in breed rescue activities in Chicago are encouraged to reach out to the City TODAY, express your concerns, and ask […]

The New York Senate Insurance Committee is considering a bill on Monday (July 20) that would prohibit homeowner’s insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder. All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact the committee […]

On Monday, July 20 at 7:30pm, residents in Holliston, Massachusetts will be asked at its annual town meeting to vote on warrant  Article 22 .  Although the proposal’s title is “Protecting Consumers and Animals in Holliston,” it instead would ban the sale of purpose-bred pets from state-inspected and -licensed facilities, like pet shops, in favor […]

*Originally published July 13, 2020 in the Milford Daily News This legislative session, some lawmakers in Boston, expressing concerns about conditions where professionally raised pets are bred and raised, filed a bill that nonsensically would ban pet shops from selling purpose-bred pets from regulated U.S. breeders and instead require them to sell only randomly sourced […]

In a procedural move, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (Department) is proposing a rule that would allow it to evaluate whether to increase fee amounts, including license and reinspection fees, for dog sellers and dog facility operators. Currently, animal shelters and animal control facilities pay an annual $125 license fee to […]

Mississippi Senate Bill 3049 provides certain protections from civil damages for injury or death related to COVID-19 to individuals, associations, for-profit or nonprofit entities, and other organizations. The Act was signed by Governor Tate Reeves on July 8 and is effective retroactive to March 14, 2020. This legislation may be of interest to AKC-affiliated clubs […]