Legislative Alerts

April 29, 2019 The Iowa Legislature has adjourned for the year.  None of the bills of concern to the AKC and Iowa clubs and breeders passed. The AKC appreciates that in several cases, amendments were added to address many of our concerns.  This includes House File 737, which as introduced could have impacted standard husbandry […]

Friday, April 26, 2019 Today, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced two vacancies on the state’s Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee.  The seats available are for one licensed breeder and one representative of an animal welfare organization. The Committee advises the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation on matters related to the administration and […]

April 22, 2019 On Tuesday, April 23, the Manatee County Board of Commissioners could discuss a proposal that would ban the retail sale of puppies.  An earlier version of the meeting agenda referenced a Sarasota ordinance that bans retail sales of pets from a commercial establishment.  It is not known at this time what might […]

Thursday, April 18, 2019 On Tuesday, April 23, the Board of Aldermen of Town of Dover, New Jersey, is expected to consider a proposal that would restrict pet shops from selling, delivering, offering for sale, bartering, auctioning, giving away, or otherwise transferring dogs or cats.  The proposal, however, does not prohibit stores from collaborating with […]

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has proposed new regulations for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations, and amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations applying to pet shops. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages potentially impacted entities and individuals to carefully review the proposals, below, and respectfully share their […]

Monday, April 08, 2019 Texas House Bill 2347 seeks to require animal shelters and releasing agencies to scan an animal for a microchip as soon as practicable after the animal is placed in their custody.  In the interest of returning lost or at-large animals to their owners, the American Kennel Club supports HB 2347.  Texas […]

April 8, 2019 An ordinance with unclear provisions that could affect hobby breeders and rescue groups is scheduled for a vote by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 9.  Brevard County citizens who are concerned about vague and problematic provisions in the ordinance are encouraged to immediately contact their commissioners. The […]

April 5, 2019 The Virginia General Assembly met yesterday for a veto session and rejected the governor’s recommendations that could have required Virginia dog owners, sportsmen, and exhibitors to tether their dogs in a manner that could be harmful and contradict current law.  This was the latest in a series of bills and amendments this […]

Friday, April 05, 2019 The Borough of Madison, New Jersey, is expected to consider a proposal, Ordinance 11-2019, that would restrict pet shops and their owners, and kennels and their operators to breeding and selling dogs and cats sourced only from licensed animal shelters and rescue organizations. The proposal uses the state definition of “kennel”, […]

April 4, 2019 Each year, the New York General Assembly introduces dozens of bills that would impact dog owners, breeders, fanciers, and sportsmen.  The vast majority of these bills are re-introduced every year and never even receive a committee hearing. Due to the 2018 elections, there are many new legislators in Albany, new leaders and […]