Legislative Alerts

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission has proposed extensive updates to the state’s general hunting, miscellaneous wildlife, and general fishing regulations, which it will consider at its April 20-21, 2022, meeting.  Interested Arkansas residents and visitors who hunt and fish in Arkansas are encouraged to review and comment on the proposal. Of the 111 proposed […]

This week, the Georgia Senate enacted Senate Resolution 868, which recognizes May 1, 2022, as Purebred Dog Day in Georgia.  Congratulations to Gail LaBerge, president of the Georgia Canine Coalition (GCC); the American Kennel Club (AKC)-affiliated clubs and individuals who, through the GCC, are the collective voice of responsible dog owners in Georgia; and purebred […]

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 […]