Legislative Alerts

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is conducting a study of animal welfare in North Carolina. The study will focus on current laws and regulations pertaining to the welfare of dogs, the oversight of public and private animal shelters, spay/neuter programs, the score of commercial breeding operations, and consumer protection issues. The […]

Previously published in the Kansas City Star There are two issues on which every dog lover agree.  First, dogs deserve a life in a safe, caring, and healthy environment.  Second, those who treat dogs in a negligent or cruel manner should be held accountable. The American Kennel Club is the nation’s only not-for-profit organization dedicated […]

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will consider changes to their animal control ordinance at a work session and commission meeting this week. According to the information we have at this time, public comment will NOT be accepted at those meetings, so it is imperative that concerned dog owners and breeders call or email the […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes and shares concerns about substandard kennels.  AKC’s mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. We support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities […]

At the August Board meeting, the AKC Board of Directors approved an official canine legislation policy position statement on debarking. Debarking is a viable veterinary procedure that may allow a dog owner to keep a dog that barks excessively in its loving home rather than to be forced to surrender it to a shelter. Debarking […]

Ohio Representative Cheryl Grossman has introduced House Bill 570, which is intended to be an alternative for Senate Bill 95.  Both bills seek to regulate dog breeding in Ohio. The American Kennel Club opposes numerous provisions in House Bill 570, including (but not limited to): Definition of commercial breeder – A commercial breeder is anyone […]

California Senate Bill 250, which seeks to mandate the sterilization of a dog on a second animal control offense, has moved from the inactive file back to the Assembly floor and could be voted on any day. Amendments have been adopted, but they only modify the appeals process and do not alter our fundamental opposition […]

The Memphis City Council Services & Neighborhood Committee will consider four ordinances amending the city’s animal control laws on Tuesday, August 10th. The proposal will require mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs over 29 pounds, define any dog that has "bitten once and been at-large twice" as a dangerous dog, increase fees for owners of intact […]

The El Paso City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday August 10th to discuss possible changes to the animal control code including differential license fees, breeder licensing and inspections, and a ban on sales of cats and dogs in pet stores. It is vital that responsible dog owners, breeders and fanciers oppose this legislation. […]

The American Kennel Club and our Washington, D.C.-based advocacy team continue to closely monitor S. 3424/H.R. 5434, the federal Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act.  There has been no official action on the bill since its introduction in late May.  As previously reported, the 2010 PUPS bill seeks to expand federal regulation of dog […]