Legislative Alerts

On Thursday, April 14, the Fauquier County (VA) Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and consider adopting clarifying amendments to zoning regulations governing small, non-commercial kennels in the county. Under the current zoning ordinance, a zoning permit is required for any breeding activity. County code further requires a dealer license for breeders who […]

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are two vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee: one for a veterinarian and one for a licensed breeder.  The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of Licensing […]

As mentioned in a previous alert, California Assembly Bill 1901 (authored by Assemblyman Nazarin of Hollywood Hills/Toluca would regulate all dog trainers in the state as boarding kennels – regardless of the type of training class or the length of the class. The definition of dog training is very broad and must be assumed to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a letter of concern and recommended certain amendments to House Bill 607, which seeks to impose mandatory minimum penalties for a first offense of cruelty to animals.  AKC is concerned that the bill could result in reduced, rather than enhanced, enforcement of animal cruelty laws. AKC supports full enforcement […]

On February 15, the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business unanimously voted in support of LD 1885, as amended, which seeks to increase Maine’s veterinary workforce through updates to the state’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Program.  The program provides competitive, need-based, forgivable loan for Maine students pursuing a career as a veterinarian. While, the […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) just learned that a proposed animal ordinance is scheduled for a vote by the Montgomery City Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. At the time of this alert, AKC has received information about certain provisions of the proposed ordinance.  An official copy of the proposed ordinance […]

Addressing concerns raised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other stakeholders, the Connecticut Joint Environment Committee has proposed a substitute bill to SB 234.  Among other provisions, the new substitute text in HB 5295, would require the Agriculture Commissioner to convene a working group to help develop a plan to create a state-wide online […]

Over the past couple weeks, AKC Government Relations has sent out several alerts regarding bills impacting dog owners in the state. With bill hearing deadlines looming at the end of the month, a number of hearings will be scheduled over the next few weeks. Below are updates on the latest status on each one and […]

Two bills with a positive benefit to Arizona dog owners have passed Senate committees and will likely soon be considered by the full Senate. Arizona residents are encouraged to reach out to their State Senator and ask them to support House Bill 2323 and House Bill 2626.  Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center and type your […]

DESIGNATING THE SHELTER PET AS CT’S STATE PET: The Connecticut Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee voted yesterday to place HB 5498 on the House consent calendar, despite hearing testimony objecting to the designation of the shelter pet as Connecticut’s state pet. The bill also seeks to designate a variety of days, weeks, and months, […]