Texas House Bill 604 seeks to require animal shelters and releasing agencies, including animal rescue organizations, to scan an animal for a microchip as soon as practicable after the animal is placed in their custody.  The American Kennel Club supports this measure and believes it will help return lost or at-large animals efficiently to their […]

March 9, 2020 The City of Evanston has suspended its procedural rules and will be considering and possibly voting on an ordinance TONIGHT (Monday, March 9) that would ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in the city unless the animals are from a shelter, rescue, or a breeder that BOTH has a USDA […]

The COVID-19 outbreak and preventative public health measures are impacting legislative schedules and hearings in a number of states. In some states such as New Jersey and Hawaii, in-person visits are being discouraged. Other states are currently considering various options which may include virtual hearings or other methods to continue business while limiting large gatherings.  […]

The Boone County (IN) Board of Commissioners is considering a proposal on Monday, November 20, that would mandate the spaying and neutering of all dogs owned by county residents by the year 2020.

In early December 2024, the DeKalb County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners deferred consideration of changes to its animal ordinance that AKC views as problematic for responsible dog breeders and owners.  As currently worded, it seeks to impose restrictions on breeders and anyone who transfers, gives away, or sells pets.  County staff have reported that the […]

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Maine Committee on the Judiciary will accept public testimony on LD 679, An Act Regarding Animals Abandoned by Tenants. The bill would (1) define “abandoned animal” and “unclaimed animal;” (2) require tenants provide landlords the name and address of an individual authorized to retrieve their pet within 24 hours […]

The Connecticut Joint Environment Committee’s public hearing agenda for Wednesday, February 28, 2024, includes HB 5223; which would, as part of a handful of provisions under the oversight of the Department of Agriculture, amend the legal definition of “grooming facility” to include those doing business in “any vehicle or trailer”.  As a result, professional handlers […]

  In response to reports earlier today that Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick has reached a deal with prosecutors and will plead guilty to crimes associated with dog fighting, the American Kennel Club® has issued the following statement from AKC's Chairman of the Board, Ron Menaker: "While we are pleased to hear that the Vick […]

  -- AKC Awards 23 Scholarships to Veterinary Students-- New York, NY - The American Kennel Club announced that 23 Veterinary Scholarships have been awarded to students from fifteen of the twenty-eight US accredited schools of veterinary medicine. These awards include three Chairman's awards of $15,000 each, three President's awards of $10,000 each, and seventeen […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the most popular call names of 2025. “Choosing a pet’s name is such a fun and important part of the process when […]