Dog calming treats can relieve anxiety, soothe senior dogs, and reduce excitability. The best option will depend on your dog's specific needs.

With growing frequency nationwide, families are being forced to give up their canine companions because of skyrocketing homeowners' insurance premiums or companies' outright refusal to cover certain breeds. Dog owners in Michigan may now have some reprieve, however, thanks to an important victory by the Michigan Association for Purebred Dogs. Troubled by countless stories from […]

The Virginia House has passed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. Having passed both chambers of […]

Friday, August 9, 2019 Yesterday, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued guidance to help travelers understand their rights while new regulations are being developed. The DOT is currently developing new rules to govern what types of animals will be allowed to accompany passengers on flights and what documentation will be required to determine […]

Yesterday, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. The new law becomes effective […]

Dog owners will be able to travel to Hawaii with their pets more easily now that the state's quarantine rules have been eased. Previously, animals were quarantined for at least one month upon arrival. Effective June 30, pets entering Hawaii may be released in five days or less if their owners meet several pre-arrival requirements. […]

As stated in a previous alert, The Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or […]

The Missouri Legislature is back in session, and the Missouri House is likely to soon be voting on a bill that, among many other provisions, would provide important and necessary protections for Missouri dog owners. As approved by a House committee, Senate Bill 600 has become a large omnibus bill that includes a number of […]

New proposed rules from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that seek to clarify Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulations regarding the transportation of service animals by air and that are intended the ensure that America’s air transportation system is safe for the travelling public and accessible to individuals with disabilities, are expected to be published in the Federal […]

The Virginia Senate could soon vote on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. Senate Bill 707 banning […]

Please share this information with animal owners in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville City Council is scheduled to hold a second vote to enact overreaching changes to the city animal ordinance, which includes provisions that would criminalize the actions of many responsible dog owners. Concerned dog owners are urged to immediately contact city council members and […]

Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (ACNR) Committee voted to approve legislation to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or […]

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 This Thursday, May 16, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs will consider SB 2158, an Act Relative to Protecting Service Dogs.  To ensure that individuals and businesses will be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this bill makes the misrepresentation of a pet dog as a service dog […]

On Monday, a Missouri Senate Committee is considering a bill that protects 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 treated as innocent until proven guilty, and to protect […]

A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives that would ban ear cropping, tail docking, and "debarking." No individual may perform these procedures, and veterinarians may only do so if relieving an injury, illness, infection, etc. House Bill 6009 has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee and is not currently scheduled […]

The Virginia House could soon vote on a bill to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. Senate Bill 707 banning […]

The Missouri House could soon consider 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 treated as innocent until proven guilty, […]

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 On Tuesday, September 17 at 1pm, the Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Committee on Judiciary will consider HB 3657 regarding the misrepresentation of service animals.  The bill ensures that individuals and businesses will be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, by making the misrepresentation of a pet dog as a service […]

The Missouri Agriculture Policy Committee is considering a bill on Tuesday, February 11, 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 treated […]

  The American Kennel Club was disappointed to learn about the mistrial in the animal cruelty case against defendants Jon Harman and Athena Lethcoe-Harman in Shelby, MT, involving more than 150 Collies. Along with dog lovers across the country, we hope the case will be resolved and that justice will be served in the impending […]