Legislative Alerts

Minnesota Senate File 1029, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee on Friday, March 21, 2025, seeks to eliminate longstanding privacy and data protections for commercial breeders, which the state defines as those with more than 10 intact dogs and 5 litters a year.  The American […]

On Wednesday, March 19, a Nevada Assembly committee will be considering a bill to strengthen protections for animals by penalizing people who allow, permit or approve of animal torture or cruelty as defined in Nevada law. AB 381 also enhances penalties for those found to have been convicted of cruelty in especially egregious cases. AKC […]

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has proposed updates to the rules pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the state’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).  The reasonable updates would implement changes required by Senate Bill 24-045, which requires animal shelters and rescues to sterilize dogs and cats prior to adoption.  The proposal also: […]

This Wednesday, the public hearing agenda for the Rhode Island (RI) Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture includes S. 325, “Animal Care”, which seeks to significantly limit the scope of the state’s definition of “hobby breeder”.  It is imperative that all fanciers and enthusiasts in Rhode Island contact the members of the committee and urge […]

Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 18), a bill that establishes a licensing framework for all breeders who sell even one dog as a pet, will be heard by an Oregon state Senate committee.  Oregon breeders should express their opposition immediately and, if possible, speak at the hearing in opposition to Senate Bill 1076. What You Can Do: […]

A West Virginia House subcommittee has advanced two pieces of legislation regarding the care of dogs.  The first would provide increased protections for the welfare of domestic animals in the care of animal shelters and private individuals.  The second would specify minimum levels of care to be provided by commercial dog breeders and consumer protection […]

Next week is the deadline for House bills in Illinois to get an initial committee hearing, and there are several critical bills for dog owners still pending.  It is important for dog owners and clubs to register your opposition online today on key measures pending in two committees: House Agriculture and Conservation Committee: HB 1902 […]

Yesterday, the Missouri House Committee on Rules- Legislative voted 7-1 in favor a bill, that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to protect the rights of the accused and ensure they are […]

On Tuesday, March 18, a New York Senate committee will consider legislation to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. The AKC opposes the portion of Senate Bill 3026 which would restrict the rights of […]

The Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate have each passed a bill this week to increase the cap on compensatory damages for which a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of a pet is liable. Summary: Under current law, a person who causes the death of a pet could be held […]