Legislative Alerts

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has proposed amendments to the regulations that carry out the state’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA), to include education requirements for license applicants and licensees seeking license renewal. PACFA defines “canine hobby breeder facility” as any facility which transfers no more than twenty-four dogs per year or breeds […]

A resolution has just been introduced in the California State Assembly that declares the Assembly’s intention to only support “sensible and humane therapeutic veterinary procedures for companion animals.”  As defined, this could mean the Assembly opposes such procedures as ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, among other veterinary surgical procedures. It is important to […]

As previously reported, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed to reissue a rule to require that breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers, and other animal enterprises subject to USDA licensing establish emergency/contingency planning in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or other business disruption. HISTORY […]

The 2021 Louisiana state legislative session focused on taxation and spending, with limitations on the introduction of non-fiscal bills. Legislation of interest to dog owners that was tracked by AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) during the regular session included: Enacted legislation: Senate Bill 144, now Act 100, creates the crime of unlawful possession, transfer, or […]

On Tuesday, July 6, the City of Stamford’s full Board of Representatives voted 33-1 to return a proposed dog tethering ordinance back to its Legislative and Rules Committee for consideration of additional input by residents and fellow board members.  Video of the meeting can be viewed here.  Discussion of the proposed tethering ordinance, LR30.103, starts […]

The California Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill on Tuesday, July 13, that would further clarify the difference between true service animals and emotional support animals in the state. AKC appreciates the efforts being made by the legislature to clearly differentiate between animals trained as service animals and those meant to provide solely emotional […]

The City of Follansbee (West Virginia) City Council will be considering seeks to limit the amount of time a dog can be tethered, maintained, or kept outside under certain conditions. on Monday, July 12 at the City Council meeting scheduled for 6:00pm. This proposal was brought before City Council by a local resident who was […]

The 2021 Florida regular legislative session adjourned on April 30, and executive action on bills of interest to dog owners concluded in late June. Two bills supported by AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) were enacted, another bill was favorably amended, and several problematic bills did not advance. AKC GR thanks the Florida Association of Kennel […]

The Massachusetts Joint Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee (JCPPL) has scheduled a virtual public hearing for Monday, July 12, 2021, from 1pm to 3pm, and will accept comments on two bills of concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC). OVERSIGHT OF DOG DAYCARES In the wake of a fatal attack on a puppy in […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is pleased to share that the Rhode Island Legislature adjourned on Thursday, July 1, 2021, with no bills of concern to dog owners adopted. Since January, AKC GR issued several detailed alerts, embedded in the bill numbers below, requesting opposition by residents to bills negatively impacting dogs and owners as […]