Legislative Alerts

In an ongoing effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, this morning Massachusetts Governor Baker ordered all non-essential businesses in Massachusetts to close beginning at 12pm on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.  The order is effective until April 7, 2020.  A stay at home advisory is also being issued by the state’s Department of Public […]

The State of New York has clarified that businesses relating to the care of companion animals are declared essential and will be exempt from the shut-down order now in effect in the state to address concerns with the COVID-19 virus. On Sunday, March 22, a clarification was issued by the New York Department of Agriculture […]

The Washington State Legislature has adjourned for the year, as originally scheduled. Before adjournment, a significantly amended version of Senate Bill 6300 was passed.  This bill’s original version contained language that attempted to define animal pain to establish grounds for criminal charges for animal abuse and neglect. However, this terminology was broad and open to […]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many states are shutting down all but what they deem to be essential services and businesses – and AKC is asking for your help in ensuring our dogs continue to get the supplies and services they need and deserve. The American Kennel Club (AKC) joined this week with the Pet […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) today joined with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and other animal care leaders to urge government officials to help ensure the well-being of animals by allowing businesses that provide products and services for the care of pets to continue to operate during the COVID-19 response.  Dennis Sprung, AKC […]

In response to public health concerns associated with COVID-19, the Maryland Legislature has ended the 2020 session and will not reconvene until January 13, 2021. As a result of the House and Senate working hurriedly to move numerous bills and pass a budget, many bills did not make it to final passage.  Three of those […]

Last night (Thursday, March 19), the Palm Springs City Council voted to reschedule consideration of changes to the city’s animal ordinances. The proposals included restrictions on dog breeding, new and increased fees for dog ownership, new penalties for violating ordinances, and changes to the length the city’s privately-run animal shelter must retain captured animals before […]

The AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) team continues to track and report on legislative changes driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The calendars of all state legislatures not already adjourned have been impacted by these changes.  AKC GR is maintaining a detailed online list, updated a minimum of daily, of those changes. The Status of Legislatures […]

Legislative Leaders in New England continue various steps to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19.  On Tuesday, March 17, the Maine Legislature adjourned after sending Governor Janet Mills an emergency bill to help facilitate the state’s response to the coronavirus.  Governor Mills signed that measure into law yesterday.  Among its many provisions, Public Law Chapter 617 […]

The California State Legislature has voted to suspend its 2020 session from March 20 until April 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the situation remains fluid, those dates may change. As such, California Senate Bill 1041, legislation that bans hunting deer with dogs, was originally scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on […]