Legislative Alerts

The American Kennel Club joins the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs, and multiple other organizations in opposing Colorado Proposition 129, which is on the ballot for the November 2024 elections. Colorado Proposition 129 seeks to address the concern of veterinary shortages by creating a new Veterinary Professional Associate credential that […]

On October 22, the Ojai City Council voted 4-1 to adopt a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits the breeding of dogs and cats with “congenital anatomical features” that are likely to cause the animal or its offspring to suffer pain, deformity, or difficult expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficultly with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty […]

Governor John Carney has signed legislation that will regulate barking dogs across the state.  It will go into effect on October 9, 2025. While the legislation does not take effect for nearly a year, AKC encourages you to be mindful of the changes and how this new law may impact you and your dog. Summary: […]

September 30 was the last day for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature over the two-year session. From the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) perspective, California’s legislative session concluded quietly. The session began with bills that could have seen the definition of a “dog breeder” expanded to include many hobbyists, […]

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners deferred until December 2024 action on problematic animal ordinance #2024-0190. Among numerous concerns, the proposed ordinance could negatively affect residents who, in the future, might have reason to give away, sell, or transfer a dog or cat. It also contains vague and overreaching provisions regarding litter permits, home inspections, […]

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to take action on a problematic litter permitting and pet transfer ordinance at its meeting tomorrow (Tuesday morning, October 8, 2024). This ordinance would apply to and require the payment of fees by every county resident who, in the future, may have reason to give away, sell, […]

DeKalb County, GA: Litter Permits, Onerous Breeding Restrictions on Agenda for 10/8/24   The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners could take action on a problematic litter permit and pet sales ordinance at its Tuesday, October 8, 2024, meeting. It is important for commissioners to hear from constituents with concerns about this vague, overreaching proposal. Scroll […]

The Longview Animal Shelter Advisory Committee has approved an ordinance mandating spaying/neutering, creating intact animal permits, and establishing an animal breeder license. The Longview City Council will consider this ordinance package in the coming weeks. Local news reports indicate the ordinance is intended to address shelter overpopulation issues. How to Help The City Council needs […]

Thanks to the quick action of animal owners in Fairfield County, South Carolina, the county council unanimously decided to send a radical animal ordinance back to committee. The same ordinance or a revised version could be considered at a future date. NEXT STEPS:  Resident animal owners are urged to continue working with their county council […]

On Friday, September 20, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy signed “Ollie’s Law” into law as Chapter 213 of the Acts of 2024. The new law will take effect in 90 days. The Department of Agricultural Resources (the department), with advice from the committee as established in subsection (b) of Section 7 of the Act, is required […]