The Indiana House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is considering a positive bill tomorrow (Tuesday, February 25) that will hold those accountable who sell dogs in Indiana, and also provide protections for Indiana residents buying a dog in the state. Senate Bill 185 includes many provisions, including: Prohibiting the sale of dogs or cats under […]

An overreaching proposed animal ordinance that includes litter permits and other problematic provisions will be considered by the DeKalb County (Georgia) Operations Committee (OPS Committee) on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 9:30am. This ordinance has been under consideration throughout most of 2024. It is important for OPS Committee members and your DeKalb County commissioners to […]

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 […]

The Lake County (IL) Board is considering a resolution tomorrow (Tuesday, January 14) that would prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to provide animals from shelters or rescues. Even if you do not personally provide dogs to pet stores, this resolution could have significant implications […]

April 28, 2015 Attention Alabama Dog Owners: Alabama House Bill 548 seeks to establish criminal penalties for failure to comply with overreaching, undefined, and arbitrary requirements for the care, feeding, and housing of dogs.  Compliance with the problematic provisions of HB 548 would be required for every person or organization that has “custody or ownership” […]

Representative Trent VanHaaften today confirmed that House Bill 1607 will not move forward in its present form. This bill would have imposed requirements on breeders who either sold one dog for profit per year or breeders who sold six or more dogs per year. Rep. VanHaaften has indicated that he will welcome constructive input in […]

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 […]

Yesterday, Representative Bill Caul of Mt. Pleasant introduced Michigan House Bill 6395, which proposes to strictly regulate virtually all responsible dog breeders.  It is imperative that all concerned responsible dog breeders in Michigan contact the members of the House Agriculture Committee, which currently has cognizance of the bill, and their elected Representatives and express their […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department reports the following developments regarding the breeder oversight bills currently under consideration by the Minnesota Legislature.  Minnesota’s concerned responsible dog breeders and owners are strongly encouraged to take action today! SF 7 On March 24, the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee voted not to take Senate File 7 "off […]

The Missouri Agriculture Policy Committee is considering a bill on Tuesday, February 8, that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, and to […]

The Shelby County, TN Commission will hold a third and final vote on proposed changes to the county animal control ordinance on January 9, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.  The proposed ordinance includes a provision that would make it a violation to leave a companion animal unattended in a vehicle for more than one hour when the […]

Ohio House Bill 124 will be considered by the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, June 24.  HB 124 seeks to strictly regulate commercial breeders who produce nine litters of puppies or at least forty puppies in any given calendar year, including. Imposing strict engineering standards (including cage sizes, temperature range, etc.) […]

The Missouri Agriculture Policy Committee is considering a bill on Tuesday, February 2, that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, and to […]

New York Senate Committees will consider two bills next week that would benefit New York dogs and responsible dog owners. Senate Bill 1495 would criminalize stealing a pet from someone’s property, and Senate Bill 6418 amends current law to further protect dogs left in vehicles under extreme temperatures. New York residents are encouraged to contact […]

House Bill 1883, the Working Animal Protection Act, was approved in the House and now crosses over to the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee. Your continued and immediate support of this bill is needed. The 2021 Arkansas legislative session ends soon.  Rules have been suspended, and bills are passing—or dying—very quickly.  Owners, handlers, […]

The Senate Agriculture and Veterans committee has removed SB 2292 from its February 26 agenda. The bill may be still heard at a later date. Please contact the members of the committee to share your concerns about this bill. Continue to check www.akc.org for updates. Minnesota Breeders Bills Moving Forward [Wednesday, February 20, 2008] Minnesota […]

A substitute version of Ohio House Bill 124 will be heard by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, September 30. The AKC is concerned with many provisions within the substitute version of House Bill 124, including, but not limited to: Broad definition of "Regulated Dog Intermediary". Anyone who sells, exchanges, donates, or […]

Please share this information with animal owners, dog breeders, farmers, and agricultural businesses in Tulare County, CA.  Certain provisions of concern would apply not just to dog owners, but also to all animals and animal owners in the county. Tulare County, CA is considering a proposal that would significantly revise the county Animal Ordinance and […]

In addition to bills to be considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture is also scheduled to consider several dog-related bills on Tuesday, September 12.

After a very successful "Rescuers Rally" last week, Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) is continuing its push to preserve purebred rescue programs in San Antonio. RPOA will speak to the San Antonio City Council at City Hall on Thursday, August 14th, at the council's regular meeting. RPOA asks that interested individuals attend this meeting and […]

As part of its required five-year review process, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has proposed extensive changes to regulations applying to high volume breeders, pet stores, and dog brokers.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages anyone potentially affected by the proposals to express their comments or concerns to ODA in one of the methods […]

In June, staff of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission recommended that the state’s Licensed Breeders Program should be eliminated due to fundamental flaws with the law that created it, the program’s ineffectiveness, and significant operational costs.  The Sunset Advisory Commission will meet on Thursday, August 20, to accept testimony on recommendations to eliminate 15 regulatory […]

The Joint Environment Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly will consider five proposals on Friday, March 20, 2015, that deal with dogs. Connecticut residents are encouraged to contact the committee members and express their support or concerns with the proposals. SYNOPSES OF BILLS HB 5707 HB 5707 seeks to provide for the proper sheltering of […]

The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has learned that Louisiana House Bill 163, a bill which further threatens the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders with ownership limits and vague care and conditions standards, will be considered on Thursday, April 12, 2012, by the Louisiana House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural […]

Earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the finalization of new Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations.  The changes were made in an effort to promote compliance, reduce license fees, and strengthen safeguards to prevent individuals and businesses with a history of noncompliance from obtaining […]

The Hawaii House of Representative's Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider several dog-related proposals on Friday, February 3, that severely restrict the rights of responsible dog owners.

Including the family dog in the family vacation plans this summer can be a great alternative to sending Rover off to the local kennel. By planning ahead, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for you and your cherished canine companion. The American Kennel Club provides tips on what you need to know: By […]

>The top dogs in the nation were crowned from an overall entry of more than 1,900 this weekend at the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) National Agility Championship, AKC National Obedience Championship and AKC Rally National Championship held in Perry, Georgia “It is inspiring to see the performances at these three National Championship events. The joy […]

New York, NY - The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced recently that Delaware County Kennel Club (Pennsylvania) and the Pasco Florida Kennel Club have been honored with AKC Community Achievement Award for the first quarter of 2012. The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized […]

-- A Summer of Positive Action for AKC -- New York, NY – It is back to school time across America and students are being asked that time-tested question – “What did you do over the summer?” For my wife and I, it’s a rather easy question to sum up in just five words – “We […]