Two new bills have been introduced in Wisconsin, both of which seek to regulate those classified as commercial breeders and provide remedies for purchasers of dogs. Assembly Bill 567, sponsored by Representative Lothian, has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection and Personal Privacy; its companion, Senate Bill 308, is sponsored by Senator […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is responsible for enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), announced that it is rescinding December 2017 (updated in May 2018) guidance that described an incentive program that recognized licensees and registrants who took appropriate and timely action to […]

On Monday, July 20 at 7:30pm, residents in Holliston, Massachusetts will be asked at its annual town meeting to vote on warrant  Article 22 .  Although the proposal’s title is “Protecting Consumers and Animals in Holliston,” it instead would ban the sale of purpose-bred pets from state-inspected and -licensed facilities, like pet shops, in favor […]

Alabama House Bill 209 seeks to authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so.  It requires that the dog be leashed or in a pet carrier and under control, and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. HB 209 specifies that only service […]

The voices of responsible Florida dog owners made a difference, and an amendment was filed to Florida Senate Bill 522. AKC urges responsible dog owners to contact committee members immediately in support of the proposed changes that address the vast majority of issues with the original measure.  In addition, AKC Government Relations has recommended an […]

On Thursday, April 3, an Oregon state Senate committee was scheduled to vote on a bill (SB 1076) that establishes a licensing framework for all breeders who sell even one dog as a pet. However, the hearing was postponed to Tuesday, April 8. The AKC thanks all the Oregonians who showed up to the state […]

Next Tuesday, January 11, 2022, the New Hampshire Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on SB 368, relative to pet vendor licenses.  This bill would require the ownership of all animals housed in the licensed portion of a pet vendor’s premises to be transferred to another person within 30 days of […]

Tomorrow  (Wednesday, January 13), the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering Senate Bill 1, which provides certain liability protections when there has been exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This new law may be of potential interest to some AKC-affiliated clubs with concerns about conducting their events while under a higher-than-normal exposure to liability risks. […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is proud to honor K9 Arlo of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office in Washington with the 2021 AKC Paw of CourageSM award as he recovers from two bullet wounds that he sustained while working in the line of duty […]

The 4th Annual Awards for Canine Excellence Know of A Kind or Courageous Canine? Show Your Appreciation to that Heroic Hound, Valiant Vizsla, Brave Beagle or Selfless Spaniel with an ACE Nomination The American Kennel Club is now taking entries for its 2003 Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). The AKC ACE Awards are designed to […]