–– AKC Companion Animal Recovery Canine Support and Relief Fund Spearheads Disaster Preparedness –– With this year’s hurricane season forecast to be especially treacherous and the recent tornadoes, wildfires and floods that have plagued communities across the United States, our attention naturally turns to the safety of our companion animals. Since the creation of the […]

-- Join Us for AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days This September -- Planning is under way for our 8th annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days, sponsored by Invisible Fence® Brand and ADT. We invite you to join us in celebrating responsible owners everywhere this September by hosting an event in your area. Nearly 600 clubs […]

Ask NY Committee to Support Allowing Service/Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims at Shelters May 26, 2015 The New York Senate Social Services Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, May 28, that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to […]

On Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Senate Economic Growth Committee approved S. 2511, which seeks to repeal the state’s consumer protection laws for pet purchases and implement a statewide ban on the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits by pet shops (see previous alert).  This marks significant movement in the Legislature toward eliminating consumer choice […]

Animal Activists are pushing federal breeder restrictions that could require small hobby breeders to place their dogs in industrial, commercial-style kennels and impose arbitrary, one-size-fits-all requirements that could undermine proper care of dogs. Members of Congress are currently in their local, “home” districts. They are hearing from many anti-breeder activists who want the so-called Puppy […]

Yesterday, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a comment in support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) proposed formalization of requirements that have been in place since August 2021 for the importation of live dogs for resale, whether through retail or wholesale channels or fee-based adoption, […]

On Monday, January 23, the Indiana House and Senate Agriculture Committees will consider bills that seek to regulate pet stores and establish consumer protection provisions for pet store sales. AKC encourages Indiana clubs to contact the committees and sponsors and thank them for amendments that establish these provisions and remove a provision that could have […]

The City of Follansbee (West Virginia) City Council will be considering seeks to limit the amount of time a dog can be tethered, maintained, or kept outside under certain conditions. on Monday, July 12 at the City Council meeting scheduled for 6:00pm. This proposal was brought before City Council by a local resident who was […]

Today, the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee adopted amendments to Assembly Bill 2401, the “Responsible Dog Ownership Act”.  The bill is now scheduled for a voting session by the full Assembly on Thursday, June 24, at 1PM. The American Kennel Club (AKC) expressed strong concerns with earlier versions of A.2401, particularly with the bill’s disparate […]

The American Kennel Club today announced that 54 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 25 states. The scholarships totaling $100,000 range from $1,000 to $5,000 and winners include students from high school to graduate school. "The AKC recognizes the important role our young fanciers play in the future of the sport of purebred […]