Legislative Alerts

The Caddo Parish Commission recently voted 10-1 in favor of an ordinance requiring dogs to be spayed or neutered, despite concerns raised by the AKC and local residents. The Ordinance will go into effect on July 1, 2022 for a period of two years. The parish will evaluate the ordinance's effects after two years. Unless […]

An ad hoc committee of the Montgomery City Council will meet again on Monday, December 20, 2021, to continue work on a proposed animal ordinance. Media reports indicate that the committee intends to propose: Expanded requirements to obtain a breeding permit, raising the annual permit fee from $20 to $150, and requiring the applicant to […]

12/13/21 update:  The Senate Environment and Energy Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 4058.  The committee amendment eliminated the provision that allowed courts to reduce the amount of costs assessed to only veterinary costs.  AKC believes this amendment further makes S.4058 untenable.  AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates should S.4058 progress […]

Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the final adoption of a rule, effective January 3, 2022, that requires licensees under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA)—including breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, and carriers—to establish emergency/contingency plans in the event of a natural or manmade disaster […]

The Caddo Parish Commission is moving forward with an animal control ordinance that would require sterilization of dogs and cats A public hearing will be held at the December 9th Commission meeting to gather feedback from the community.  AKC strongly encourages residents to attend the hearing and contact the commission to express your concerns with […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and a broad coalition of animal interests groups remain gravely concerned with New Jersey Senate Bill 2868 and its companion Assembly Bill 4533, which, if enacted as currently written, would create court-appointed legal advocates for animals. AKC supports the traditional legal classification of animals as personal property, which has resulted […]

This afternoon, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update to its current emergency rule that generally prohibits the importation of dogs into the U.S. from countries that are considered high-risk for rabies. Effective December 1, 2021, eligible travelers, U.S. citizens, or lawful U.S. residents with a valid U.S.-issued rabies […]

AKC thanks Congressman David Schweikert for introducing H.R. 5261 to require that food products containing xylitol or “birch sugar” be labeled to warn of the sweetener’s toxic effects on dogs. AKC urges responsible dog owners to contact their member of Congress and ask them to support this positive bill. Summary: HR 5261, called the “Paws […]

A set of arbitrary and harmful federal breeder bills, H.R. 2840 /S. 1385 that would mandate new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders are continuing to gain support in Congress.  We urge all responsible dog owners, breeders and enthusiasts to contact their lawmakers about the harmful consequences of the bills. While certain aspects […]

Over the next few weeks, Oregonians may see local activists with signs that read “Sign my Petition - End Animal Cruelty”, or a similar message.  The truth, however, is that signing the petition will not end animal cruelty, but will have a devastating impact on dog training, breeding, hunting and other animal husbandry practices – […]