Legislative Alerts

The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) has issued new guidance that allows USDA licensees and registrants to use microchips to officially identify regulated animals without having to request a variance. USDA-licensed dog breeders, owners, transporters, and other regulated entities can view USDA’s May 23, 2016 bulletin and the […]

The Ohio Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 331 tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24, 2016.  As introduced, SB 331 seeks to create positive state-level oversight of pet shops, which AKC supports; but it also includes a problematic change to the state’s existing definition of high volume breeder. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and […]

Proposed renovations to Thomas Square, a popular dog event venue in Honolulu, and their impact on current park users will be on the agenda for discussion at three upcoming public meetings: Park Permittee Public Meeting—Monday, May 23, 2016, 5:30-7:30 pm, Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall - Kauai Room (enter from the Galleria 2nd Floor), 777 Ward […]

The NY Assembly Insurance Committee has given initial approval to a bill that would prohibit homeowners insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.  The bill now goes to the Assembly Codes Committee.  All responsible dog owners and breeders in New […]

Monday, May 16, 2016 The New Jersey Assembly’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will consider two dog-related bills on Thursday, May 19.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all dog owners in New Jersey to review the proposals and contact the members of the committee with any concerns you may have.  Assembly Bill 308 seeks […]

A bill was approved yesterday by the North Carolina House Local Government Committee that would expand the laws allowing law enforcement officers to adopt the animals they worked with once the animals are retired.  In 2015, a law was passed on this issue, but it only applied to the City of Raleigh and Mecklenburg County.  […]

The Iowa State Legislature adjourned on Friday evening for the year and once again no legislation that would negatively impact breeders and dog owners was passed.  For the past several years, legislation has been introduced that would have further regulated those who maintain at least four intact dogs and receive any kind of consideration for […]

Yesterday, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Senate to declare May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day.  Senate Resolution 447 “designates May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day in celebration of purebred dogs and the many service and companion benefits purebred dogs have and continue to provide to the United States.” The resolution further […]

Purebred dogs play a special and important role in our lives. On May 1, the American Kennel Club invites you to join us as we honor the pride, predictability, and purpose of purebred dogs and promote the preservation of these breeds.  The May 1st National Purebred Dog Day movement was created by Colorado resident and […]

The United States Department of Agriculture today released an updated version of its online course for dog breeders.  This course provides the latest information on the federal Animal Welfare Act regulations and licensing requirements.  The program includes information on the pre-licensing process, and guidelines and suggestions to help breeders be in compliance.  The course can […]