The North Carolina Senate will take a final vote on Senate Bill 460 today. As passed out of the Rules committee yesterday, this measure has been largely gutted. The newly revised version of the bill is now available. AKC appreciates many of the changes that have been made that address some of the AKC’s concerns […]

Despite opposition from responsible pet owners, on October 10, 2023, the Floyd County, Georgia, County Commission enacted changes to the county animal ordinance that make it “unlawful for any person to own, keep, or be in possession of a sexually mature dog or cat which has not been spayed or neutered, unless otherwise exempt from […]

Animal rights activists continue to collect signatures in Oregon in advance of a July 2 deadline to qualify an extreme measure (currently referred to as Oregon Initiative Petition 28) for the November 2026 ballot that would ban hunting, criminalize dog breeding (including artificial insemination), end recognized training practices, and significantly harm agriculture. AKC Government Relations […]

As expected, the U.S. Senate last night approved, 63-35, the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be Director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The role, also known as the "Regulatory Czar" is responsible for overseeing regulatory policy throughout the government. The nomination was approved […]

Yesterday, Governor Sununu signed H. 338 into law, making the tampering or removal of a dog’s collar or microchip a misdemeanor crime.  It also increases the penalty for stealing a dog, from a misdemeanor to a class B felony, for anyone guilty of multiple offenses.  These changes, effective January 1, 2022, are expected to act […]

The following bills have been scheduled for public hearing on Monday, March 1, 2021.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) encourages New Hampshire residents to take action on these bills as follows: RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 9:00 am - HB 431 would require elected animal control officers take an oath to faithfully discharge their […]

A proposal has been introduced in West Virginia that would require the sterilization of all dogs and cats, with very few exceptions. All bills must be considered in committee by the end of this week, so it is important that all who reside or participate in conformation, hunting, performance, or other activities with dogs in […]

Senator Florez has amended Senate Bill 250, but the changes do little to address AKC’s fundamental concerns with the bill. It is imperative that California responsible dog owners and breeders immediately contact their Assemblymembers and Senators and ask them to oppose SB 250!!! As expected, the bill now provides that an intact dog with a […]

Friday, June 21, 2019 The New York General Assembly officially adjourned this morning.  You made a difference!  Thanks to your efforts, no negative bills were passed before adjournment. Here is a summary of some of the major legislation that received a hearing this year: 722 – Hunting Events Ban – As introduced, this bill would […]

While many of the dog breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries, there are a number of AKC registered breeds which were developed on American soil, and each has its own unique history and heritage: Alaskan Malamute - The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after the […]