In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the American Kennel Club Humane Fund has created a $10,000 veterinary fund for Urban Resource Institute (URI),’s PAL’s Place. URI is the largest shelter provider in the country. The donation is part of the Humane Fund’s commitment to assisting domestic violence shelters with the ability to welcome survivors […]

Dogs from around the country put their best paw forward in high energy competition The American Kennel Club (AKC) is excited to announce that the AKC National Agility Championship will air on ESPN2.The two-hour competition will be televised on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. This broadcast comes on the […]

  The American Kennel Club® announced recently that Joseph Foster has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Award for his dedication to responding quickly and effectively to canine legislation issues in his community. Foster is a member of the Wilmington (Delaware) Kennel Club (WKC.) He received one of three awards for the […]

The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce the winners of the AKC® Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championships, sponsored by Purina and Tri-Tronics. The event was held April 28 - May 6 at the Red Rock Field Trial grounds north of Reno, Nev. This was the 15th running of this event, which has become the […]

The Joint Committee on the Environment will hear Senate Bill 274, this Monday, March 8. As currently written, this bill would prohibit as “unreasonable” the tethering of dogs and the use of primary dog enclosures smaller than 100 square feet. The American Kennel Club is concerned by the strict requirements and the current wording of […]

A bill is expected to be considered as soon as tomorrow in the Michigan House Appropriations Committee that could result in licensing, inspections, and even requirements on how every person who breeds a dog in Michigan should care for their dogs.  AKC thanks those who have taken the time to contact their State Representative, and asks […]

January 15, 2019 North Dakota House Bill 1259, which is scheduled for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, January 16, would make it an infraction (maximum fine $100) to knowingly make a false claim that a pet is a service animal in an attempt to gain admission to a public place or obtain […]

As reported previously, the Jefferson Parish Council has delayed their consideration of changes to the Parish’s animal cruelty ordinances. Instead, officials with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Animal Shelter Advisory Board will first hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 6:30PM […]

February 22, 2019 Illinois House Bill 1645, which is scheduled for consideration by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, February 26 would make it a petty offense to knowingly make a false claim that a pet is a service animal in an attempt to gain admission to a public place or obtain a reasonable housing […]

The Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee will likely consider a bill next week that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. House Bill 1711 is virtually identical to a bill considered and defeated earlier this year by the Senate Agriculture Committee.  However, the […]

Douglas County, Colorado is inviting all residents of the unincorporated areas of the county to attend a public workshop on Thursday, October 18, to learn more and discuss proposed changes to the county’s animal laws, which include new regulations regarding nuisance/barking dogs and dogs considered “potentially dangerous”. The details of the public workshop are as […]

South Dakota House Bill 1159 seeks to impose additional requirements on and to establish additional inspections for commercial pet breeding operations in the state.

AKC continues to monitor several bills impacting dog owners in Oregon. Below are the latest updates, along with contact information if you wish to comment on any of these measures. AKC GR will continue to provide individual updates and alerts when necessary.  Bills in Oregon Legislature: House Bill 2915 – Pet Choice Restrictions. Status: Passed […]

As reported previously, the Jefferson Parish Council has delayed their consideration of changes to the Parish’s animal cruelty ordinances. Instead, officials with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and Animal Shelter Advisory Board will first hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed changes. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 6:30PM […]

March 19, 2019 The Indiana House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, March 21, that would require any dog or cat being imported from a foreign country into Indiana be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection or health certificate. Senate Bill 533 would require that any person who transfers […]

An Illinois House committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, March 7, that would allow the court to appoint a 'special advocate' to represent the interests of animals during cases that involve the animal's health, safety, or an injury.

House Bill 63, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from enacting breed-specific regulations, was passed unanimously by the House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee yesterday. The bill now advances to the House Judiciary Committee. The AKC strongly encourages New Mexico residents to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to […]

Maine LD 1192, sponsored by Representative Justin Chenette, will be considered by the Joint Committee on Insurance and Financial Services on April 25.  The bill seeks to prohibit insurance companies from cancelling, refusing to issue, or charging an increased premium for a property insurance policy solely on the basis of a policyholder's ownership of a […]

February 28, 2019 The Caswell County (North Carolina) Board of Commissioners is considering a proposal on Monday, March 4, that would license and regulate those deemed commercial breeders or “high-volume private kennels”. Those who reside in Caswell County are encouraged to contact the committee prior to the hearing, or consider attending the hearing on March […]

Florida dog owners breathed sighs of relief when the hard-fought 2023 Florida legislative session adjourned on Friday, May 5th. Several problematic bills did not advance, while positive bills passed in the state legislature and await action by the Governor. Possibly the most egregious state-level dog breeder bills (HB 1581/SB 1492) filed in the U.S. to […]