Legislative Alerts

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has announced that new regulations have been finalized for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations, together with clarifying amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations applying to pet shops.   The American Kennel Club (AKC) extends our sincerest gratitude to the Department’s Animal Health Division Director for years of […]

A bill is advancing in Colorado that would expand the powers of the state’s Bureau of Animal Protection agents. Currently, the purpose of the Bureau of Animal Protection, as stated on the Department of Agriculture’s website, is to “serve as a support mechanism to local law enforcement agencies in conducting animal cruelty and neglect investigations.”  […]

A proposal has been introduced in the Chicago City Council that seeks to stop fraudulent rescues from sourcing to pet stores. In addition to addressing this issue, it also would make numerous changes to city pet animal ordinances, including requiring licensing of hobby breeders as animal care facilities, and removing important consumer protection and information […]

A problematic amendment to Tennessee House Bill 852 failed in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the bill was taken off notice, likely ending its consideration for the remainder of the legislative session.  Thank you to dog owners who shared information about this issue and animal owners across the state who contacted subcommittee members and […]

A proposed amendment to Tennessee House Bill 852 seeks to significantly change the nature and scope of the bill as it was originally filed. HB 852, and amendments thereto, are on the agenda of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee tomorrow, May 27.  Due to COVID-19 disruptions, it is unclear if this bill actually will be […]

According to a May 18, 2020, article, as Vermont begins to re-open from the COVID-19 pandemic, animal importers have asked Governor Phil Scott to authorize the resumption of interstate pet transports to supply Vermont shelters with dogs sourced from outside the state.  The article also details how some shelters are considering breeding dogs themselves to […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction today of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2020  in the U.S. House of Representatives. AKC is grateful for the bi-partisan leadership of Congressmen Abraham (LA-5), Schrader (OR-5) and Yoho (FL-3) in sponsoring the bill, and believes this will go a long way to addressing concerns about recent […]

The Oak Grove City Council could hold a second and enacting vote on changes to the city’s animal ordinance at its regular city council meeting tomorrow, May 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.  Neither the meeting agenda nor the text of the proposed ordinance were available at the time this legislative alert was released.  Therefore, it […]

Banning breed-specific laws (BSL) is probably the most common issue on which most animal advocates agree – yet it is one of the most difficult issues to pass. Last week, advocates in Missouri tried numerous political maneuvers to finally pass a law banning breed-specific policies in the state, but unfortunately none were successful. In 2019, […]

Earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the finalization of new Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations.  The changes were made in an effort to promote compliance, reduce license fees, and strengthen safeguards to prevent individuals and businesses with a history of noncompliance from obtaining […]