The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing tomorrow, January 13, 2022, at 1 p.m. on House Bill 16.  The bill would place limitations on dogs being outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions. AKC encourages those who reside or participate in dog events in Maryland to contact the Committee members […]

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 The New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee has scheduled the continued hearing on HB 1389 for Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 10am in Room 303 of the Legislative Office Building.  AKC’s prior alert and details on this bill can be reviewed in full here. HB 1389 would amend the state’s […]

It is likely the Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up the Agriculture Act of 2026 (“Farm Bill 2.0”) on Thursday, August 6, 2026.  We are asking you to reach out to your senators in support of the positive animal care provisions in Farm Bill 2.0 and ask that they oppose potential amendments pushed by animal […]

The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to pass its Farm Bill in a markup on Thursday, August 6.  Chairman Boozman has recessed the committee and plans to hold another vote on the measure in September. AKC GR will continue to follow this measure and provide updates on provisions related to dogs.  The GR Team thanks the […]

Starting September 1, 2023, Texas kennel facility operators (those who are providing boarding services for breeding, sheltering, training, hunting, “or similar purposes” for more than three dogs for compensation) will be required to provide written notice to dog and cat owners if their pet will be left unattended and the facility does not have a […]

The Abilene City Council decided to pull the proposed mandatory spay and neuter ordinance from its February 27 agenda following significant community feedback. An amended version of the ordinance is expected to be discussed at the March 13, 2025, council meeting at the same location: March 13, 2025 8:30 AM 2nd Floor Council Chambers 555 […]

Yesterday, the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released an omnibus clean energy re-drafted bill, H. 4876, and requested members file their amendments. Among more than 100 amendments filed for consideration during debate today, Amendment #5 mirrors an amendment filed last month that would remove dogs and cats from the definition of livestock. This change […]

Alabama Senate Bill 361, which addresses the tethering and confinement of dogs, has advanced in the legislative process. The bill was read for the second time and placed on the Senate calendar on March 19, 2026. S. 361 was previously referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental Affairs. In Alabama, a bill being “read […]

Governor Abbot has signed SB 876 further regulating Texas dog breeders. While the new law goes into effect on September 1, 2023, someone that owns between 5 and 11 intact females will have until January 1, 2024, to come into compliance.  The law will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and […]

I'm pleased to report that Senator Rick Santorum this past weekend provided us with an advance copy of his "discussion draft" of an amended version of the "Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005" (PAWS) bill. This discussion draft will be posted on the Senator's web site (http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index.cfm) this week. The draft clarifies several original provisions […]