The full U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled vote on the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the week of 27th.  The AKC is proud to support the version of the Farm Bill slated for consideration by the House as it includes important priorities for dog enthusiasts […]

The Illinois Senate now has until May 8 to vote on a bill impacting breeders, after extending the voting deadline on certain bills.  Illinois residents should continue contacting the Senate and express concerns that the breeder requirements in Senate Bill 2990 are not in the best interest of all dogs. Summary: As written,  Senate Bill […]

Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate amendments and vote on final passage of the Farm Bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” the week of April 27. In our previous Farm Bill alert to AKC constituents, we reported that […]

This is the last week for the Illinois Senate to vote on Senate bills and send them to the House of Representatives.  Among the bills expected to be considered is one that will impose a number of new requirements on anyone who is licensed as a dog breeder in the state – which could include […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) continues to monitor legislation in Illinois that would impose problematic new requirements on licensed dog breeders. House Bill 4778, which mirrors Senate Bill 2990, was scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on March 24, 2026. The measure would apply “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders, defined […]

The Maryland bill which required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped is highly unlikely to advance this session.  Thanks to the many club members and breeders joining AKC in making your voice heard, the House Economic Matters Committee held House Bill 1551 and did not advance it […]

On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who […]

With yesterday, March 16, being considered the committee reporting courtesy date (the deadline to move bills out of their original committee), it appears that the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee will likely not be voting on House Bill 1551.  This is a bill that includes provisions to require annual registration for all dog breeders, and […]

On Thursday, March 12, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee heard Senate Bill 2990, which would place extensive new requirements on those licensed as dog breeders by the state. SB 2990 passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee by a narrow vote of 7–6. Thank you to the dog owners and club members who contacted the […]

With Crossover Day fast Approaching, the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee will be holding a voting session tomorrow, March 12, 2026, on a number of bills heard by the Committee including HB 1551.  Among the provisions of the bill is a required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy […]

The American Kennel Club has been tracking two bills affecting dog breeders in Arizona and they both have missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this session. SB 1539 would have imposed arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates on animal breeders and harm responsible breeding practices without meaningfully addressing animal welfare concerns. The bill defined a "hobby breeder" […]

Tomorrow (March 11), Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is holding a public hearing on a bill that, among other provisions, would require annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped.  The costs would be put into account to support shelters and spay/neuter programs, along with supporting administration and enforcement […]

Today the New York Senate Agriculture Committee held a bill regulating hobby breeders and passed a bill banning debarking. The American Kennel Club (AKC) thanks all those who took the time to contact the committee regarding the bill regulating hobbyists. We urge everyone to continue contacting the committee and your State Senator. Below is more […]

Two bills will be considered this week impacting Illinois dog owners. Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10), a bill will be considered amending the laws regarding forfeiture of seized dogs when cruelty is suspected. On Thursday, March 12, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee will hear Senate Bill 2990, which would place extensive new requirements on those licensed […]

Karen Justin has dedicated herself to preserving the Great Pyrenees through thoughtful breeding, health testing, and service to the breed.

On Tuesday (March 10), a New York committee will consider a bill that could force anyone who sells nine (9) dogs in a year, which could be one litter, to be licensed, inspected, and regulated as pet dealers. This bill, Senate Bill 8252, is from the 2025 session, and includes some clarifying language to address […]

On Wednesday (March 11), a Maryland Committee is holding a public hearing on a bill that, among other provisions, would require annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped.  The costs would be put into an account to support shelters and spay/neuter programs, along with supporting administration and enforcement […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Government Relations (GR) team is continuing to monitor legislation in Oklahoma that could significantly impact responsible dog owners and breeders. Two measures, House Bill 4055 (HB 4055) and House Bill 3393 (HB 3393), seek to impose new licensing, fees, and inspection requirements on those who own intact dogs for breeding purposes. Below are […]

Yesterday, the Philadelphia City Council approved a three-year moratorium on the breeding of dogs and the sale and transfer of puppies under seven months of age.  See Previous alert. You are strongly encouraged to act now and contact Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and mobilize others to protect responsible breeding and dog ownership in Philadelphia.  Ask […]

Before breeding the newly-recognized Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Elizabeth Melzer bred West Highland White Terriers.

The Philadelphia City Council will be holding a final vote on Thursday, February 19, on a three-year moratorium on the breeding, sale, and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia.  See Previous alert. You are strongly encouraged to act now and mobilize others to protect responsible breeding and dog ownership in Philadelphia […]

The Philadelphia City Council will be holding a final vote on Thursday, February 19, on a three-year moratorium on the breeding, sale, and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia. Today at a full council meeting, a few amendments were adopted, but they do not address the concerns with this proposal.  There […]

On Thursday, February 12, the Philadelphia City Council will be holding a public hearing and likely vote on a proposal imposing a three-year moratorium on dog breeding, and on the sale and transfer of puppies under seven months of age in Philadelphia. You are strongly encouraged to act now and mobilize others to protect responsible […]

Florida lawmakers will consider two dog-related bills this week that could significantly affect dog breeding, pet sales, dog breeding, and animal regulations statewide.  Senate Bill 1004 is a consumer protection bill that seeks to add new requirements for Florida pet dealers and when financing agreements are used to purchase a pet.  Senate Bill 1356 would […]

Yesterday, both chambers of the New Jersey General Assembly failed to act on bills   banning retail pet stores that could have impacted home-based breeders. AKC thanks our partner, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, and the many individuals who took the time to contact members of the General Assembly in defeating these bills. Your […]

The New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee has added amendments to a bill banning retail pet stores that could impact home-based breeders. The amendments are now identical to those added to Senate Bill 2511 in late December (Read AKC’s previous alert for more information) With the last voting day of the session scheduled for Monday, January […]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently expressed support for 2026 legislation that will seek to “crack down on abusive ‘puppy mills’ and strengthen animal welfare standards” in Florida.  The governor made the announcement from the grounds of a well-funded animal rescue, which championed extreme anti-breeder legislation filed in the Florida legislature earlier in 2025. The Governor’s […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is proud to announce the AKC Breeder of the Year by Sport honorees. Consistent with its mission of promoting the breeding of purebred dogs for type and function, […]

The New Jersey Senate is seeking to amend bills banning retail pet stores, and recently added text that could impact home-based breeders. Senate Bill 2511 and Assembly Bill 4051 are scheduled for a vote by the Senate on Monday, December 22.  Club members, hobby breeders and anyone who seeks to obtain a pet from a […]

New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2025 AKC Breeder of […]