According to Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County staff, a second vote on a proposed animal ordinance has been rescheduled for January 17, 2023. At this time, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance has not been scheduled. View the proposal. The most recent version, BL2022-1571, is less problematic than a previous version that was withdrawn […]

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef has introduced A. 11242, a bill to prohibit ear cropping and tail docking. It is imperative that New York fanciers and concerned dog owners contact their representatives immediately to oppose this legislation. A person found guilty of tail docking would be guilty of a misdemeanor and could be sentenced up to one […]

The Senate Local Government Committee is scheduled to hear SB 861 on Monday, August 29th upon adjournment of floor session in room 3191. As California is approaching the end of their legislative session, things are expected to move very quickly. It is critical that you contact your state senator immediately. Your voice is especially important […]

Oklahoma dog owners report that Rep. Paul Wesselhoft's H2657 and H2658 have died in the Health and Human Services Committee. These bills would have permitted cities and counties to enact breed-specific legislation, action that is currently prohibited by state law. Committee members listened closely to concerned dog owners who argued for better enforcement of stronger […]

Two bills are pending in the Iowa Senate that would impose detrimental requirements on those who are classified as "commercial breeders". In current law, a "commercial breeder" is defined as anyone who owns at least four intact dogs or cats and receives any consideration for breeding. These bills would significantly restrict the ability of those […]

California Senate Bill 250 has been amended and set for a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee for April 15th. We need all California fanciers, responsible dog owners and breeders, and clubs to write and oppose this legislation. Letters must be received by April 8 to be reflected on the committee analysis. SB 250's […]

The Albemarle County (Virginia) Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal on Wednesday, October 3, that makes numerous changes to their animal control laws, including restricting humane tethering and expanding what is considered cruelty in the county. The American Kennel Club strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in conditions where its health, […]

Friday, March 15, 2019 The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to support Minnesota House File 478.  Like its companion bill, SF 1109, this bill seeks to provide $150,000 in funding for the training of service dogs to assist some of the state’s firefighters with posttraumatic stress disorder.  All Minnesota residents are encouraged to join […]

As expected, the New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee approved Senate Bill 3041 at its meeting on Monday, March 6. The bill is now likely to be considered and voted on by the full Senate on Monday, March 13.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that both New Jersey Senate Bill 3041 and Senate Bill 1640 are scheduled for consideration by the New Jersey Senate on Monday, March 13, 2017.

On Wednesday, May 4, at 1:00 pm the Delaware Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for both the veterinarian cost and care of a pet as well as damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a […]

A bill has been introduced in Michigan that could have a negative impact on many Michigan residents who own, breed, and train dogs. Senate Bill 395 has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and the chairman has been a strong supporter of responsible dog owners, breeders, and sportsmen.  Concerned Michigan dog owners are encouraged […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed Senate Bill 3041. The AKC, a multitude of our grassroots advocates, and a number of organizations allied in opposition to the onerous provisions of the legislation, worked together in urging Governor Christie to veto the bill. The […]

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate’s Ways and Means Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2370, the “Act Relative to Protecting Puppies and Kittens” (previously Senate Bill 1103).  The bill could be voted on by the full Senate as soon as Tuesday, June 28.  The new version of this bill makes several changes – including […]

The Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on SB 250 has been rescheduled for May 11th. Please click here for sample letters that clubs and individuals can personalize. California Senate Bill 250 passed the Senate Local Government Committee on a vote of 3-1 and will be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 4th. The bill […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has just learned that the Minnesota House Commerce Finance Policy Committee will consider House File 2627, which seeks to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs and cats, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, 2026.  Pet shops that have been open for at least one year, and under the same ownership, would be […]

The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee held a hearing on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, on House Bill 406, which seeks to define “extreme weather conditions” to mean temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or an active weather warning issued by the National Weather Service.  Under such conditions, the bill bans […]

A bill to regulate pet breeders is scheduled to be voted on by the House Business and Labor Committee on March 24. House Bill 608 seeks to establish licensing, inspections, regulations, fees, and penalties for dog and cat breeders.  It would define a “commercial breeder” as: A person or entity who owns, keeps, or harbors […]

A number of legislative bills have been filed in Maine that could ultimately impact the state's dog breeders and owners.  While some may prove beneficial to responsible dog breeders and owners, other may prove troublesome.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) urges all concerned residents of Maine to learn about the bills detailed below and to […]

The Louisville Metro Council is again considering breed-specific legislation, a limit law and restrictions on breeders and dog owners. This ordinance will have a devastating effect on dog owners and breeders in Louisville and may have a dramatic impact on the Kentuckiana Cluster, the largest dog show cluster in the country. The legislation proposes breed […]

At its meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would regulate, set requirements for, and establish fees for dog training businesses and dog trainers in the county.

On April 26, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee is scheduled to consider Assembly Bill 1881, known as the “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”. AKC staff and our representatives in California are working hard to communicate concerns with the author’s office, the committee,  and requesting significant amendments – but we need your help! […]

AKC and CFA Reveal the Inner Dog & Cat Of Each Cast Member of MTV's Popular Reality Show From barking loudly about who has a crush on who to clawing over a boyfriend at the club, each week the cast of MTV's The Jersey Shore find themselves fighting like cats and dogs. Inspired by New […]

New York, NY (August 30, 2013)    The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) returns December 10-15, 2013 to Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Already one of the world's premiere dog events, the 2013 event will offer All-Breed competitions, Specialty competitions and Special Attractions, Breeder Seminars, Companion events, Consumer attractions and of course the crowning of a […]

AKC Celebrates 125th Anniversary and Tips its Hat to Two Irish Breeds That Were Among the First Recognized In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) celebrates the loveable breeds of Irish descent. Notable Irish breeds include the Irish Red & White Setter which was welcomed into the AKC […]

The American Kennel Club today announced that 58 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 26 states. The scholarships for high school, college and graduate school students range from $1,000 to $5,000 each for a total of $100,000. "The Junior Scholarship program is a special way for AKC to honor the hard work and […]

Every September, we take to our local communities with the rallying cry of responsible dog ownership and host over 600 RDO Day events across the country. Together with our participating clubs, we educate the public about everything we can offer them to put them on the path to being the best dog owners they can […]

-- A Commitment to Serving Our Customers -- Shortly after the end of World War II, a family purchased a dog and registered it with the American Kennel Club in their daughter’s name. That registration decision was certainly a nice way of saying to their daughter, “This dog is yours to keep, care for, and […]

2005 was an outstanding year for AKC. Revenues far exceeded our expectations and management continued to do a superior job of controlling expenses. AKC contributed $1.7 million dollars to the AKC Canine Health Foundation during 2005. We also contributed $300,000 last year toward scholarships for veterinary school students and undergraduate students who had participated in […]

New York, NY – This weekend we will have the pleasure of watching the top national and international dogs compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. This spectacular event will feature more than 4000 dogs consisting of 191 breeds and varieties, with one thing in common – a dedicated responsible breeder bred each. These few thousand […]