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 […]

On Monday, March 14, the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee will consider two dog-related bills of serious concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Among many other provisions, Senate Bill 333 seeks to permit courts, upon conviction, to order the forfeiture of any animal owned by an animal cruelty offender and the transfer […]

At its meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would regulate, set requirements for, and establish fees for dog training businesses and dog trainers in the county.

On April 26, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee is scheduled to consider Assembly Bill 1881, known as the “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”. AKC staff and our representatives in California are working hard to communicate concerns with the author’s office, the committee,  and requesting significant amendments – but we need your help! […]

Yesterday, several committees of the Massachusetts General Court took procedural action on dog-related bills.  Some bills were ordered to study, which means that they will likely not be considered for the remainder of the legislative session, while others had their deadlines for further consideration extended. BILLS SENT TO STUDY: The Joint Judiciary Committee ordered multiple […]

Purebred dog fanciers from all over California and beyond have been quick to respond in opposition to SB1548, legislation that would make it a misdemeanor to crop a dog's ears. AKC applauds your efforts, and we ask that you continue to politely contact Sen. Figueroa in this regard. The Honorable Liz Figueroa (D-10) Fremont State […]

The Ohio Senate State & Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee will allow supporters of Senate Bill 95 to testify in a hearing on October 6.  Opponents of the measure will be given an opportunity to speak at a later hearing.  All concerned dog owners and breeders in Ohio are encouraged to contact the committee, […]

LD 962 - ESTABLISH OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF A PET - OPPOSE On Monday, March 31, 2025, starting at 1PM, the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety is scheduled to accept testimony on LD 962. Among other provisions, the bill would create a new, separate crime […]

Next week, the New Hampshire House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety will hear public testimony on bills the American Kennel Club (AKC) believes are well-intentioned, but concerning as currently written. SERIOUS CONCERN:  HB 1310 would prohibit hunters from discharging a firearm in the direction of a building, livestock, or pets within their eyesight. […]

The Virginia House ACNR Agriculture Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 1552 tomorrow which seeks to modify or include provisions that were not included in tethering legislation that just passed and became law last session.  This attempt to revisit last year’s approved legislation could create several significant problems for dogs and dog owners in […]

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 […]

Last week, the 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly was adjourned.  Overall, the Session could be deemed a success for dogs and responsible dog owners given the outcome of several bills, including: House Bill 81/Senate Bill 122 – Regulating Dogs Outdoors: HB 81 and its companion SB 122 sought to address “Unattended Dogs in […]

As previously reported, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed to reissue a rule to require that breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers, and other animal enterprises subject to USDA licensing establish emergency/contingency planning in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or other business disruption. HISTORY […]

April 25, 2014 Through another procedural move, the bill number for the onerous breeder regulations bill has once again changed. The bill was also amended and passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is now pending in the Senate. The amendments made to this bill are not in the best interest of […]

The Dallas, Texas City Council Committee on Quality of Life will consider major changes to the Dallas animal control ordinance on Monday, April 28 at noon at the Dallas City Hall. The changes include mandatory spay/neuter, breeder permitting, limits on the number of pets that can be owned, stricter dangerous dog language, and a ban […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed Senate Bill 3041. The AKC, a multitude of our grassroots advocates, and a number of organizations allied in opposition to the onerous provisions of the legislation, worked together in urging Governor Christie to veto the bill. The […]

Late last week, the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published new technical, medical, and behavioral standards recommendations for explosive detection canines. These standards are a response to legislation  (HR 4577 - the Domestic Explosives Canine Capacity Building Act) that the American Kennel Club (AKC) worked to advance in 2017 and 2018.  That legislation directed […]

Massachusetts House Bill 4647 seeks to provide tax credits for individuals who adopt certain dogs from a shelter.  The bill is scheduled to be considered by the General Court’s Joint Revenue Committee on Tuesday, July 17.  Massachusetts residents are encouraged to contact the members of the Joint Revenue Committee and express any concerns they may […]

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate’s Ways and Means Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2370, the “Act Relative to Protecting Puppies and Kittens” (previously Senate Bill 1103).  The bill could be voted on by the full Senate as soon as Tuesday, June 28.  The new version of this bill makes several changes – including […]

It has been reported to the American Kennel Club that the Quality of Life Committee has directed the Director of Animal Control to examine the feasibility of enforcing the proposed ordinance. The Director of Animal Control is expected to present his findings at a meeting of the Quality of Life Committee in June. Thank you […]

Two dog-related bills will be considered by Rhode Island legislative committees tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes House Bill 7545, which seeks to allow the awarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed.  AKC takes no position on House Bill 7562, which seeks to […]

Congress is back in Washington for the lame-duck session and working to quickly move major legislation, such as the Farm Bill, not completed before the election. Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Stabenow (D-MI) released the Senate version of the federal farm bill, The Rural Prosperity and Security Act of 2024, for immediate consideration. Unlike […]

URGENT:  Please share this information with dog owners, breeders, conformation and event participants, sportsmen, and hunters in Floyd County, Georgia. A brief public hearing and vote to enact mandatory spay/neuter of dogs 6 months of age and older is scheduled for next Tuesday morning, October 10, 2023, at 9:30am by the Floyd County, GA, Board […]

On Tuesday, March 5, at 1PM, the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider HB 1102, “Defining Animal Cruelty,” in a public hearing.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the New Hampshire Dogs Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) are in strong opposition to HB 1102, which describes brachycephaly as […]

One of our greatest strengths as an organization has been our ability to hold fast to tradition over the course of one hundred thirty-five years. Not many corporations have been in existence – and flourishing – for as long as the American Kennel Club has. Our success is fueled by one constant: our abiding love […]

AKC.TV, an OTT network designed especially for dog lovers and presented by The American Kennel Club (AKC®), is pleased to announce their slate of live dog sports coverage for 2020. The network is dedicated to developing 24/7 original dog centric content for viewers. All dog videos. All day. AKC.TV will cover 30 live events across […]

  $1,000 Presented to AKC Affiliated Clubs Hosting Exceptional AKC RDO Day Events The fourth quarter Community Achievement Awards will solely honor AKC clubs holding exceptional AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) events in September 2009. AKC RDO Day aims to educate first-time dog owners about the responsibilities of dog ownership and help […]

  The American Kennel Club® announced today the winners of the 2009 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards. The awards, engraved Tiffany and Co. sterling silver bowls, will be presented to the recipients on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at the AKC Delegates luncheon held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, California. A larger […]

New York, NY — The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) has recognized seven breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2015 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The individuals that make up these breeding programs have dedicated their lives to the advancement of the purebred dog, producing dogs […]

New York, NY (August 30, 2013)    The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) returns December 10-15, 2013 to Orlando's Orange County Convention Center. Already one of the world's premiere dog events, the 2013 event will offer All-Breed competitions, Specialty competitions and Special Attractions, Breeder Seminars, Companion events, Consumer attractions and of course the crowning of a […]