South Dakota Senate Bill 157 seeks to provide additional regulations for commercial breeding operations.  The bill will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, February 18, 2016.  Concerned breeders are encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully express their concerns. South Dakota law already defines a commercial breeding […]

A proposal has been introduced in West Virginia that would require the sterilization of all dogs and cats, with very few exceptions. All bills must be considered in committee by the end of this week, so it is important that all who reside or participate in conformation, hunting, performance, or other activities with dogs in […]

Connecticut law already allows the owner of a companion animal that has been intentionally injured or killed to collect economic damages (i.e., claims substantiated by a specific cost), including veterinary care cost and the monetary value of the animal.  Connecticut Senate Bill 228 would go a drastic step further and allow non-economic damages in cases […]

Senate Bill 945 which will establish standards of care for pet boarding facilities has been amended and may impact more fanciers and responsible dog owners. The bill now defines a pet boarding facility as “any lot, building, structure, enclosure or other premises whereupon two or more dogs, cats or other pets in any combination are boarded […]

UPDATE: Committee Hearing Scheduled for SB 945 Please contact the author and members of the Senate Business and Professions Committee if you have concerns about SB 945. Details of the legislation are available below the list of committee members. Senator Bill Monning, Author Email: Senator.Monning@senate.ca.gov Phone: 916-651-4017 Senate Business and Professions Committee Hearing Date: Monday, […]

March 11, 2016 AKC Government Relations is pleased to report that this bill failed to pass prior to the close of the legislative session. We thank all those who reached out to their legislators throughout this session.  March 10, 2016 The Utah Senate may soon consider Senate Bill 253 which would amend the state’s tethering […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 63, which seeks to limit consumer choice and remove consumer protections for New Jersey dog purchasers, was recently amended and approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee by a 3-2 vote.  The bill has been referred to a second committee, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, for further consideration.  Click here […]

House Bill 403 seeks to define outside confinement requirements and limit tethering for dogs.  As written, this bill could criminalize owners who utilize appropriate and humane kenneling and turn-out options for their dogs. HB 403 has been placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee at […]

Friday, April 15, 2016 Connecticut Senate Bill 228, which seeks to allow non-economic damages in cases involving injury to a pet, and House Bill 5344, which seeks to create court-appointed animal advocates in court cases involving pets, are currently pending in the Connecticut General Assembly.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that far-reaching unintended consequences […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 63 has been placed on the agenda for a vote tomorrow, Thursday, June 30, in the New Jersey State Senate. It is imperative that all New Jersey fanciers, enthusiasts, breeders, and owners contact their state senator and Senate President Steve Sweeney and request SB 63 not be voted on Thursday; and […]

A significantly amended New Jersey Senate Bill 63 was approved late last week by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  The bill could now be considered for a vote by the full Senate this Thursday, June 30.  Although some important and necessary changes have been made, the AKC remains deeply concerned with SB 63.  It […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 1013 will be considered by the Senate Economic Growth Committee on Thursday September 29, 2016.  The AKC is concerned with many aspects of the bill, and urges all concerned dog owners in New Jersey, especially purebred dog fanciers and enthusiasts, to request that the members of the committee amend the bill […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 1013 will be considered by the Senate Economic Growth Committee on Monday, December 12, 2016. As originally introduced, this measure contained numerous prohibitions on the crating, confinement, transportation and keeping of dogs that would have arbitrarily and unnecessarily banned standard, humane temporary care practices utilized at dog shows and events.    AKC […]

This morning, the Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee passed two bills that would establish a new Animal Welfare Commission in the state to create new rules, licensing, inspections, and other requirements for anyone who breeds dogs in Michigan.    This commission will be given broad powers to regulate animal welfare in the state, and yet those directly […]

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 […]

Gander Raises Awareness of Service Dogs’ Healing Magic     When the 2014 winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE) were presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, the roll call included a former shelter dog who almost lost his life and a military veteran who nearly took his own life. Gander […]

  There are 31 Canine Partners-enrolled dogs entered in this year’s RNC that takes place March 13 at Purina Farms in St. Louis, MO.   Here are the contenders:   Stella CD RAE7 AXP AJP NFP – Karen Powell – KY Biggie RAE2 MXP MJP XFP RATN – Karen Powell – KY Medendorps Hoodoo By […]

  In 2008, Diana was meeting a friend at a gas station near her home to follow her to a dog event. “Upon arriving, I saw a young, mixed breed dog sitting on the curb tied to a fire hydrant. My friend ran up to my car and was very upset. She said, ‘They left […]

This article originally ran in the “Training & Behavior” column of AKC Family Dog. Congratulations on entering your first rally trial! The hours of practice with your dog are about to pay off. Now all you have to do is stick with your plan for pre-show week and you’ll be good to go. Show Countdown: […]

NAC MACH2 Roo! made the finals of and placed fourth in the 24-inch jump height division at the 2015 AKC National Agility Championships held March 29 in Reno, NV. Roo! is a former AKC National Agility Champion; first place winner at the AKC Agility Invitational; and AKC/USA World Agility team member. Stacey Campbell of Menlo […]