The Clark County, NV County Commission will consider changes to their animal control code on Tuesday, November 17th which will negatively impact breeders, fanciers and dog owners. It is imperative that responsible owners and breeders contact their county commissioners and attend this meeting to oppose these changes. Clark County, NV is revising their existing breeder […]

Update: Friday, March 25, 2022 Yesterday, the New Jersey Senate passed Senate Bill 981 without amendments.  The bill has already been assigned to the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee. The American Kennel Club (AKC) remains opposed S.981 as currently worded, and continues to work to ensure that the bill’s lack of protections for co-owners […]

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 15, the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee is scheduled to consider two dog-related bills.  New Jersey residents are encouraged to contact the members of the committee and respectfully share their concerns. Senate Bill 3607 As introduced, S.3607, dubbed the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act”, seeks to establish new dog related rules, […]

In November 2003, the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) designated H.R. 3484. 36 co-sponsors have signed onto the bill. H.R. 3484 is virtually identical to the PPA introduced by Whitfield in the 107th Congress, except that it does not require setting federal "socialization" […]

American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) staff have met with staff of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as key members of Congress to discuss the CDC’s recently finalized rule on the importation of dogs.  AKC continues to be concerned with the disproportionate impact the new rule will […]

On Friday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a law that will have a significant positive impact on dogs, dog owners, breeders, and sportsmen throughout Ohio. House Bill 506, which contains numerous amendments requested by the AKC, is a compromise bill developed with a broad range of stakeholders concerned about animal welfare in the state.  The […]

The Texas House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 3180 on Wednesday, April 1. The bill features ownership limits, breeder licensing, facility inspection, and consumer protection provisions. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and its Texas federation, the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, both oppose House Bill 3180, and encourage all concerned […]

The AKC Government Relations Department has learned that the House Finance Committee will likely consider Senate Bill 460 on Thursday, June 24.  It is essential that all North Carolina dog lovers call AND e-mail members of the House Finance Committee TODAY.  Tell them that responsible dog owners and breeders oppose SB 460, and respectfully ask […]

Please share this information with Tennessee dog owners, sportsmen, breeders, clubs, and residents who may wish to obtain a locally-bred dog in the future. Tennessee Senate Bill 511 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.  Concerned Tennessee dog owners and […]

The City of Fort Worth is considering a variety of changes to their animal control ordinance and will hold a public hearing on the changes at their August 11th meeting. Concerned dog owners are encouraged to attend and to contact their city council member regarding their concerns. Please forward this on to other members of […]

The deadline has passed for bills to be introduced in the California state Legislature. AKC is monitoring several bills impacting dog owners in California. Below are a few highlights. To see the complete list visit the AKC legislative action center at www.akcgr.org  and/or the AKC legislative tracker.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to […]

On Tuesday, Congressional lawmakers released the final version of a must-pass $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 federal spending bill that provides funding for the U.S. Government. The agreement between House and Senate appropriators contains spending for several key areas impacting dogs. It also includes report language impacting canine policy, including legislative proposals AKC has tracked […]

New Jersey’s latest attempt at creating courtroom advocates for animals program, Assembly Bill 1965, has been scheduled for a hearing by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 14, 2022.  Although the bill’s primary sponsor, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, is also the chairman of the Judiciary Committee(likely ensuring the bill’s approval), it is imperative that all […]

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 […]

Please share this information with Tennessee dog owners, sportsmen, breeders, clubs, and residents who may wish to obtain a locally-bred dog in the future. Tennessee Senate Bill 511 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.  Concerned Tennessee dog owners and […]

Last week, a bill was introduced in the California Assembly to regulate all who breed a dog in the state. Assembly Bill 702 can be scheduled for a committee hearing beginning March 19.  No hearing is currently scheduled; however, this is an opportunity for all who breed dogs in the state to join the AKC […]

A proposed ordinance that contains provisions of concern to dog owners has passed first reading in Neptune Beach, Florida.

We are reaching out to you because your representative in the U.S. Congress sponsored the Puppy Protection Act last year. This bill to restrict dog breeding has been re-introduced in Congress again this year. Your action is urgently needed to contact your member of Congress and respectfully ask them to not sponsor or support the […]

Two dog-related bills in Minnesota have been scheduled for consideration by the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee this week.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports House File 1532, which seeks to prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against owners of certain breeds.  AKC opposes House File 1276, which seeks to restrict consumer choice by forcing […]

A set of arbitrary and harmful federal breeder bills, H.R. 2840 /S. 1385 that would mandate new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders are continuing to gain support in Congress.  We urge all responsible dog owners, breeders and enthusiasts to contact their lawmakers about the harmful consequences of the bills. While certain aspects […]

Next week, several Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committees have scheduled public hearings on a number of bills impacting dogs.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is encouraging all dog owners to review this list and submit your comments via email to the respective committees. Sentencing Commission Review of Animal Cruelty Laws: SB 388 requires the Connecticut […]

Amended Assembly Bill 2401, dubbed the “Responsible Dog Ownership Bill”, is scheduled for consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee tomorrow, June 16, 2021.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is deeply concerned with the disparate impacts of this bill on owners of large dogs.  It is imperative that concerned New Jersey residents contact the members of […]

The New York City Council Committee on Health is scheduled to consider several revised measures on Monday, November 24 that would impact pet stores and breeders who sell more than 25 dogs in New York City in a year. Thanks to AKC’s communications with the council, and your calls and e-mails earlier this year, the […]

1/4/22 Update:  Unfortunately, the Assembly Agriculture Committee approved an amended version of A.6099 by a vote of 4-1.  Two of the votes in favor of the bill were by committee members who were defeated in their recent reelection bids.  Like its companion bill S.4058 in the Senate, A.6099 may now be scheduled for consideration by […]

House Bill 1883, the Working Animal Protection Act, seeks to protect use of working animals in human service and animal enterprise.  HB 1883 has passed in House committee, and will next be voted on by the full House.  A House vote could be held as early as Monday, April 19, 2021. Owners, handlers, and exhibitors […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that SB 460 is finally dead. The measure was pulled from consideration by the House Finance Committee late last week when it became clear that supporters did not have the votes to pass the measure in the House. The AKC received further confirmation this past weekend that […]

– Buy Your Tickets to Meet American Breeds and Many More at NYC’s Javits Center October 17-18, 2009 at www.meetthebreeds.com -  With dogs and cats having been domesticated for thousands of years, many of the breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries. However, there are some dog and cat breeds that are truly […]

-- Relentless Positive Action -- In my August Chairman’s Report, I introduced the concept of “relentless positive action” as a driving force in delivering new programs, new events, and new outreach. That philosophy is one that most certainly drives our best breeders in their determined quest for constantly improving their lines, and subsequently, their breeds. […]

-- Making a Difference for Canine Health and Well-Being -- At the March Delegates meeting, Article III of the American Kennel Club Bylaws was amended to include the following: “The objects of the Club shall be to advance canine health and well-being…” Someone unfamiliar with the AKC might see this as a beginning. In fact, […]

-- Two Ways to Share the AKC Story this September -- New York, NY – The omnipresent effort of the AKC communication team, led by Chris Walker, continues to generate positive stories about the American Kennel Club and purebred dogs in the news media and in social media. Due to the engaging content the team has […]