Legislative Alerts

USDA APHIS Proposed Rules Comment Period Extended Until June 5 Tuesday, May 21, 2019 AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) has confirmed that the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) has extended the period during which the public may offer comments about proposed changes to Animal Welfare Act (AWA) […]

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 This Thursday, May 16, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs will consider SB 2158, an Act Relative to Protecting Service Dogs.  To ensure that individuals and businesses will be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this bill makes the misrepresentation of a pet dog as a service dog […]

Friday, May 10, 2019 On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the Joint Judiciary Committee will consider six dog-related bills at its upcoming hearing from 1pm – 5pm.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports with amendment one of the proposals, is concerned with two others, and opposes three more.  The AKC encourages all concerned Massachusetts residents to […]

Friday, May 10, 2019  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily suspended the importation of dogs from Egypt, effective May 10, 2019.  This suspension also applies to dogs originating in Egypt that are imported from or routed through third-party countries if the dogs lived in those countries for less than six […]

Monday, May 6, 2019 New Hampshire residents are encouraged to contact their state representative and respectfully urge them to vote “YES” on SB 77 as AMENDED BY HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE. The bill is expected to be debated on Wednesday, May 8, or Thursday, May 9. To identify your representative and their contact information […]

Wednesday, May 1, 2019 The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has extended the period during which it will accept comments on proposed regulations for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations, and amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations applying to pet stops.  The comment period is now open until 5PM, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. […]

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently unveiled a new online licensing and registration tool that helps businesses and individuals identify their regulation needs under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Regulations established under the AWA set standards for the humane care and treatment for […]

April 29, 2019 The newly-created New York Senate Domestic Animal Welfare Committee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, May 1, on four bills impacting dogs and dog owners. On the agenda are four bills, including the following: 3411 – This bill would require animal shelter animal reports to be submitted to the state Department of […]

April 29, 2019 The Iowa Legislature has adjourned for the year.  None of the bills of concern to the AKC and Iowa clubs and breeders passed. The AKC appreciates that in several cases, amendments were added to address many of our concerns.  This includes House File 737, which as introduced could have impacted standard husbandry […]

Friday, April 26, 2019 Today, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced two vacancies on the state’s Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee.  The seats available are for one licensed breeder and one representative of an animal welfare organization. The Committee advises the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation on matters related to the administration and […]