Tomorrow, March 10, 2022 at 4:00 pm the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be voting on a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. The sponsor and supporters of House Bill 1375 are attempting to make it […]

Background On June 12, 2024, the City and County of Honolulu took ownership of approximately 400 acres of former Navy-owned land of Kalaeloa for public park and public recreational area purposes. The City and County of Honolulu will have jurisdiction of the area, with the National Park Services (NPS) overseeing compliance with covenants and agreements […]

At its October 20, 2021 Council meeting, Conshohocken (PA) Borough will be considering an ordinance that will amend the existing animal control regulations including that prohibits off-leash animals. Chapter 2 of the Conshohocken’s Borough Code has not been updated in over 30 years.  The proposed ordinance seeks to provide an update to Chapter 2 addressing many concerns […]

The Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently presented a comprehensive Animal Welfare Reform plan to the City Council. This eight-step plan includes a complete overhaul of the City’s Animal Ordinance. While we do not yet know what this draft will include, other localities in the area have recently passed or are considering restrictive new laws, including […]

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 […]

A bill to allow the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to circumvent USDA animal experts in enforcing federal breeder licensing and potentially undermine the current hobby breeder exemptions for USDA licensing is gaining traction in Congress. Your U.S. Senators and Representative need to hear from you TODAY!  Let them know you are a constituent and […]

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 […]

Animal rights groups that oppose the purposeful breeding of dogs have long sought to unfairly tarnish the reputation of responsible breeders and shut down regulated professionals by falsely claiming that breeders are cruel or negligent “puppy mills”. A common tactic of anti-breeder groups is to push for laws that prohibit pet retailers from selling purpose-bred […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) has learned that this morning the House Business and Industry Committee approved HB 1818 by a vote of 7-2. AKC opposes HB 1818, which would limit pet stores located in counties of more than 200,000 residents to sourcing dogs from only: (1) an animal control agency, (2) an animal shelter, […]

A bill is quickly moving through the Utah Legislature that could protect dog shows, working dogs, and pet choice in the state. This is the last week of session, so it is important that you contact your State Representative and State Senator today and ask them to support House Bill 476.  Scroll down for contact […]

Summary: On Tuesday and Wednesday this week (September 26 and 27), two Los Angeles city committees will consider a proposal that could lead to a suspension of new breeder permits for city residents. Under current city law, breeder permits are required for all breeding in the city, as well as for anyone wishing to own […]

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 […]

March 1, 2019 A bill is scheduled for consideration in Illinois on Tuesday, March 5, that would assign a special advocate to “represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety” of a dog or cat. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has concerns regarding the legal implications regarding House Bill 1631.  There is the […]

  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 […]

Is Your Dog Among the Country's Bravest, Boldest and Best Companions? New York, NY — Is your canine the kind that always lifts your spirits when you're feeling blue? Do you know a dog that helps the sick feel better? Heard of a pooch who played a role in a dramatic rescue? If so, what […]

Klug Flown to Long Beach For Show; Poster Available On-Site or at www.akc.org The American Kennel Club® and Eukanuba are pleased to announce that Dave Klug of Pittsburgh, PA is the winning artist in the annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship commemorative art poster competition. "The image features cloud formations as various AKC registered breeds and conveys […]

  -- Forget the Antioxidants; Trust Fido for a Long Life -- The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce the release of the first-ever AKC 21st Century Dog Owners Study, focusing on the behaviors, attitudes and purchasing habits of dog owners. Of the 750 AKC respondents* — a majority of whom were female — […]

2005 was an outstanding year for AKC. Revenues far exceeded our expectations and management continued to do a superior job of controlling expenses. AKC contributed $1.7 million dollars to the AKC Canine Health Foundation during 2005. We also contributed $300,000 last year toward scholarships for veterinary school students and undergraduate students who had participated in […]

Engaged as we all are in the world of purebred dogs, it is often easy to forget that legislators¾whom we must call on to help us protect our rights as dog owners and breeders and to ensure the continuation of our sport¾may know little about the AKC and the fancy beyond the conformation shows they […]

In the 1950s, the Poodle skirt as a fashion trend embodied the popularity of the number one AKC® registered breed. And if the recent media attention surrounding the release of AKC's 2006 Registration Statistics is any indication, not only does the Labrador Retriever reign supreme, but the purebred dog remains one of the most popular […]