Legislative Alerts

On Thursday, April 9, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee delayed consideration for a proposal that would have limited San Franciscans ability to keep intact dogs. The committee will work with stakeholders in the coming months to develop a plan that provides more effective solutions to lessen strain on […]

The 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned after considering a range of measures impacting dog owners, breeders, and animal welfare stakeholders. The American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) team remained actively engaged throughout the session, by working with state and local partners to advocate for responsible dog ownership policies and balanced, workable […]

Tomorrow (Thursday, April 9), the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance (File No. 251162) that would institute mandatory spay, neuter, or chemical sterilization for nearly all dogs in San Francisco. If advanced, the proposal would go to the full Board of Supervisors […]

Yesterday, the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee approved a ban on “debarking”.  A. 8551 now goes to the Assembly Codes Committee before being considered by the full Assembly. In the Senate, its companion Senate Bill 3026 remains pending on the Senate floor. As mentioned in previous alerts, S. 8252 and A. 8653 regulating those who […]

The Missouri House could soon consider a bill that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to protect the rights of the accused and ensure they are treated as innocent until proven guilty, […]

A Tennessee bill that would have created a statewide dangerous dog registry has been tabled by lawmakers, effectively halting its progress for the current legislative cycle. Senate Bill 1794 It has been taken into consideration as part of broader discussions around public safety and animal control measures. Tabling typically means that lawmakers have chosen to […]

A pair of bills in New York regulating home-based dog breeders were recently amended, but our concerns still remain. As written, Senate Bill 8252 and Assembly Bill 8653 require anyone who, in a year, breeds and sells/offers to sell more than nine animals born that are raised on a residential premises to be licensed and […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) continues to monitor legislation in Illinois that would impose problematic new requirements on licensed dog breeders. House Bill 4778, which mirrors Senate Bill 2990, was scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on March 24, 2026. The measure would apply “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders, defined […]

An amendment to the House Farm Bill (HR 7567) proposed by animal rights groups threatens the future of AKC performance events and recognized hunt training techniques. Please join AKC and leading sportsmen’s organizations in defending responsible dog enthusiasts, sportsmen and trainers. Please contact your member of the U.S. Congress and respectfully ask Congress to remove […]

Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 31), a New York Senate committee will consider legislation to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. The AKC opposes the portion of Assembly Bill 8551 which would restrict the rights of […]