Majority of Dog Owners Would Rather Kiss the Family Dog Than Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie Forget about the treadmill. A recent American Kennel Club® (AKC®) New Year’s survey revealed that dog owners will use Fido to assist with a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.  In fact nearly 75% of respondents intend on […]

- New Data Says Pets Start Nearly 1,000 Fires Each Year - New York – July 12, 2010 – An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, however, nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets, according to a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association. […]

Summer is right around the corner and with the warmer weather and longer days comes more time spent outside with your four-legged friends.    Summertime can, however, pose certain dangers to dogs.  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) offers the following tips to help dog owners have a safe summer season with their pets. DO keep […]

  Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) today released a "Discussion Draft" of an amended version of S. 1139, the "Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005" (PAWS). The Discussion Draft includes language clarifying several original provisions and adds some new provisions which resulted from input following a November 2005 hearing on the […]

We’re all guilty of packing on pounds during the winter season, and our dogs are no exception.  While a little extra weight on a human may not look like much, just a couple of additional pounds on your dog can really affect his health.  Exercise not only keeps your dog physically fit, but mentally as […]

With excessive heat warnings posted and searing triple-digit temperatures predicted for major cities or sections of every region of the continental United States, taking special care to protect your pets from the dangerous effects of scorching heat is crucial. "Extreme heat is a very real, fast-acting threat to pets," said Gina Lash, American Kennel Club® […]

Harsh winter weather and the hectic holiday season can be stressful for many people, but what about your furry, four-footed companion? The season's festivities can be both enjoyable and safe for your pet as long as you keep your canine's health and well being in mind. Following are tips from the American Kennel Club for […]

New York, NY – The holidays are a fun and happy time, but they are also extremely hectic. One family member that can get lost in the hustle and bustle is the dog. Because of the added stress and frequent travel that the holidays can bring, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) offers safety tips for […]

New York, NY – Nothing tops a holiday wish list more than an adorable puppy – but with the hustle and bustle of the season, the family pet can get lost in the shuffle.    The  American Kennel Club (AKC®) reminds those considering adding a dog to their home this holiday season that puppies are […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, and the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that the AKC Agility League held its second live championship from August 29th through August 31st at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, MO, bringing together league teams from around the country […]

  New York, NY - The American Kennel Club is pleased to welcome the seven students who have been chosen to participate in the AKC Internship Program. The program--open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs--is designed to further their professional development as well as help the AKC identify potential employees […]

Mayor Jerry Abramson has signed into law major changes to the Louisville Animal Control Ordinance and the news is not good for fanciers, breeders and responsible animal owners. The provisions in the ordinance contain a pet limit, severe restrictions on the keeping of intact animals, licensing of in-home kennels, extreme differential licensing and vague definitions. […]

June 17, 2015 AKC has learned that these ordinances have been pulled from the June 23rd agenda. The Washoe County Commission has directed animal services to return to the drafting board and has indicated that they do not want ordinances that will negatively impact responsible breeders or animal oriented businesses in a negative manner. AKC […]

June 16, 2015 On June 23rd the Washoe County Board of Commissioners will be considering changes to their animal control ordinance that will define commercial animal establishments and commercial breeders. Two separate ordinances are proposed. The ordinances will impose significant fees and burdens on small, local, responsible breeders. State law already defines and regulates certain […]

The City of Holly Hill, Florida, is trying for the second time this year to pass a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for the small community.  The ordinance would require all dog owners to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by six months of age, with few exceptions. In February 2009, the City Commission rejected […]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a new federal order that imposes restrictions on the importation of live dogs for resale from regions where African swine fever (ASF) exists or is reasonably believed to exist. Regions include: The continent of Africa, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil (excluding […]

An emotionally-driven, but problematic bill in Florida seeks to provide for compensatory damages for the injury or death of a pet. The bill will be heard by Senate Committee on Judiciary tomorrow, March 14, 2017.

The Maryland House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Thursday, February 19, that would amend the state’s tethering laws and ban dogs from being left tethered outdoors in extreme hot or cold conditions.  However, like a Senate bill recently considered, this bill as introduced prohibits any dog from being tethered outside unattended […]

The end of June brought Oregon’s 2025 legislative session to a close, joining Washington state in adjourning for the year.  While both states had fairly limited legislative activity concerning dogs and dog owners, both did see bills introduced that sought to regulate dog breeders. For your reference, below are a few of the significant bills […]

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing for October 20 on a proposal that would, among other provisions, prohibit tethering a dog for more than 1 hour cumulatively a day – with no exceptions.  The proposal specifically states that this restriction is in place even if the dog is provided with the […]