The West Virginia Senate has passed Senate Bill 406, which would impose onerous restrictions on those who own 11 or more intact dogs. While some exemptions are included, the AKC believes they are vague and may still impact hobbyists who are not truly commercial breeders. The bill has now been assigned to the House Judiciary […]

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 […]

Oklahoma House Bill 2921 seeks to create the Commercial Pet Breeders Act of 2012 and make significant changes to the state's oversight of dog breeders. The bill was recently passed unanimously by the House Agriculture Committee, and awaits further direction. The American Kennel Club and our Oklahoma federation, the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance, both support […]

Senate Bill 2494 is scheduled to be heard by the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. This bill would require owners of ten or more intact dogs to pay a $500 biennial license fee, allow unannounced inspections of their private homes, limit their ability to make decisions about breeding […]

The period for public comment regarding the development of regulations for licensed dog breeders in Texas has closed. Thousands of comments were received by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The American Kennel Club's comments can be viewed here or via TDLR's website. The Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on […]

Iowa Senate committees have approved two measures that would make detrimental changes to the laws regulating commercial breeders, defined in current law as anyone who owns at least four intact dogs or cats and receives any consideration for breeding. While the bills are virtually identical to the ones that were scheduled for consideration last week, […]

House Bill 108 H.D. 1 S.D 2, a very problematic dog breeder bill, is scheduled for a third vote in the Hawaii Senate on April 12. It is important that dog owners immediately contact their state Senators and politely ask them to vote “No” on this burdensome and ineffective legislation. HB108 would establish requirements that […]

On Monday, the Oklahoma House overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 1919 by a vote of 86-1, which would make many positive changes to the state's commercial pet breeder law. Thanks to the phone calls and e-mails sent by responsible Oklahoma pet breeders and dog owners, the House approved all amendments made by the House Agriculture, Wildlife, […]

Tomorrow, rules regulating Commercial Pet Breeders will be considered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. The development of these rules is necessary due to the passage earlier this year of the broadly-supported HB 2921, also known as the Commercial Pet Breeders Act of 2012. A copy of the rules may be viewed […]

  The American Kennel Club has created the petition in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) new proposed regulations which would create harsh and unintended consequences for responsible small and hobby breeders in this country. Please join us by signing the petition before July 16 when the public comment period to the Animal […]