The Massachusetts Senate could soon consider a bill with negative impacts on owning, breeding, and training dogs.  Massachusetts residents are strongly encouraged to use the information below to contact your State Senator TODAY and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 1322, as written. Summary: The Massachusetts Senate is being strongly encouraged to favorably pass SB […]

On Tuesday, May 3, the New York Senate Agriculture Committee will consider a bill which will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from a shelter, rescue, or adoption agency that has no affiliation with breeders. Senate Bill 1130 previously […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) just learned that a proposed animal ordinance is scheduled for a vote by the Montgomery City Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. At the time of this alert, AKC has received information about certain provisions of the proposed ordinance.  An official copy of the proposed ordinance […]

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 gaining support in Congress.  We urge all responsible dog owners, breeders and enthusiasts to contact their lawmakers about the harmful consequences of the bills, and ask them not to […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this group of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions […]

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 […]

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 gaining 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 of this […]

Originally appeared on dogcanceranswers.com, where Dr. Jerry Klein was asked to be part of a podcast discussing the responsible ways to get a dog. Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, joins Dog Cancer Answers to discuss things to look for when choosing a breeder to increase the odds of […]

The Chicago City Council has passed a revised ordinance that further regulates pet store sourcing but removed the hobby breeder requirements that would have placed onerous and potentially impossible requirements on hobbyists in the city. For the past year, AKC Government Relations and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO) have been working […]

Texas House Bill 1818, which seeks to limit most Texas pet stores from selling purpose-bred dogs, has been assigned to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, which is expected to consider it next Tuesday, May 18th.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and a broad coalition of interest groups strongly oppose HB 1818. With legislative deadlines […]

On Tuesday, May 18, the Burke County Commission will be considering several changes to county laws regarding the breeding, care, and selling of dogs and cats in the county. Those who wish to comment or testify in the meeting are encouraged to do so via the information below (Scroll down for details). Summary and Background: […]

A bill has been introduced in Michigan that could have a negative impact on many Michigan residents who own, breed, and train dogs. Senate Bill 395 has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and the chairman has been a strong supporter of responsible dog owners, breeders, and sportsmen.  Concerned Michigan dog owners are encouraged […]

Last week, Assembly Bill 702, which would have regulated all breeders in the state, was tabled for the year.  It cannot be considered before January 2022. Once again, we thank all the clubs and breeders who partnered with the AKC to reach out to the author and Assembly Business and Professions Committee members to communicate […]

On April 27, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee will consider Assembly Bill 702 – a bill that would mandate licensing for all breeders as commercial enterprises and create many new vague, unnecessary, and arbitrary regulations that could be difficult for hobby breeders – especially those who live in residential areas – to meet. […]

On Tuesday, April 27, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee will consider Assembly Bill 702. It is crucial that all dog owners, breeders, and club members in the state contact the committee TODAY and ask them to OPPOSE Assembly Bill 702.  Let them know how this would impact you as a California resident (scroll […]

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 […]

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 […]

Kalamals Kennel is a family-run show kennel in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where Eric and Julie Kalamaja have been cherishing and sharing their lives with their beautiful Alaskan Malamutes since 1988. Their focus is on health, temperament, longevity and total well-being, producing happy and affectionate companions, as well as champion show dogs. AKC: […]

Today, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission accepted the modification of State Senator Lucio to “sever” the Commission Staff’s recommendation that the Licensed Breeders Program be eliminated.  The modification was then adopted as part of the entire package of changes to programs administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  In effect, the Licensed Breeder […]

Have you, as a breeder, been targeted or harassed after you participated in a legislative process, commented on a proposed law or regulation, or communicated your opinion on a dog-related issue?  Let’s ask that question more plainly: Do you believe that something suspicious, threatening, or unjustified occurred just because you took action on an issue […]

Breeders want the best for their puppies. They carefully seek loving owners who match well with their breed and can provide safety, health care, and training. But they may not realize how AKC Registrations give their puppies a jump start to a great life in their new homes. In addition to preserving the puppies’ names […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and AKC Pet Insurance are pleased to announce the launch of the AKC Breeder Rewards Program. The program is designed to reward breeders who promote responsible dog ownership. Beginning November 10th, breeders who register their litters with the AKC can earn up to $10 per puppy for encouraging owners to […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “We are proud to honor these esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of them has made important contributions to the […]

Tonight, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on two of three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  We are grateful that after the American Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) initial legislative alert and subsequent contacts were made with town officials, Article 3 regarding […]

The next meeting of Texas’ Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee is scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020, at 10AM.  The meeting will be held via video conference and will be broadcast live on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s YouTube channel. Please note that the agenda and staff reports to be considered are currently unavailable, […]

On Monday, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  These articles are extremely problematic because combined, they hamstring local breeding programs in favor of importing strays to meet consumers’ high demand for dogs.  New […]

Changes to the county animal ordinance, including discussion of a proposal to declare numerous dog breeds as dangerous, were presented at the Barrow County Board of Commissioners meeting on September 22, 2020.  The county manager recommended that 12-15 breeds be designated as dangerous. TAKE ACTION TODAY.  Barrow County residents are urged to immediately contact their […]

Earlier this week, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced a bill that would make changes to the federal Animal Welfare Act to mandate arbitrary new requirements for certain professional and small hobby dog breeders. S. 4757 – the “Puppy Protection Act of 2020” – is a companion measure (with the same language) to HR 2442 introduced […]

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is still accepting comments on its June staff report recommendation that the state’s Licensed Breeder Program should be eliminated due to fundamental flaws with the law that created it, the program’s ineffectiveness, and significant operational costs. The Commission was originally scheduled to consider the recommendation at an August hearing, but […]