-- It’s Time to Make Your Pooch a Prime Priority -- New York, NY – Americans have embraced dog ownership for centuries, and many people today view their dogs as cherished members of the family. Owning a dog is not a right, however, but a privilege that must be respected and nurtured. It’s crucial […]

Today, five-year-old English Springer Spaniel Pride ‘N Joy’s Juno-Lupa, better known as "Juno," and her handler Beckie Stanevich, AKC Delegate for the Mountaineer Kennel Club, became the first dog and handler team to receive the new American Kennel Club Urban Search and Rescue (SAR) title. The pair, which serves on FEMA’s Ohio Task Force One […]

    New York, NY – To celebrate the dogs that do extraordinary things for their human counterparts, the AKC Humane FundSM is seeking YOUR nominations for its AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE).  Nominations open April 1, 2015 and winners will be announced summer 2015.   Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays […]

To celebrate the dogs who do extraordinary things in the service of humankind, the AKC Humane Fund is seeking YOUR nominations for its AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE).  Nominations are now open and winners will be announced in fall 2017.   Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays tribute to five dedicated, hardworking […]

The Maryland House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear a strict breeders bill on Thursday, February 12. Maryland Delegate Michael Smigiel has introduced House Bill 495, which, like Senate Bill 318, aims to strictly regulate dog breeders in Maryland by imposing ownership limits, strict enclosure and exercise requirements, and other requirements. The American […]

Two Florida Senate bills that are of great concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC) are scheduled for consideration by Senate committees on Monday, April 6th. The AKC and the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs urge all Floridians to take action on these bills. Senate Bill 2002 Florida Senate Bill 2002, sponsored by Senator Lee […]

This week, the House Judiciary Committee is accepting testimony on multiple bills.  Text of bills are embedded in the links.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) strongly encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as follows: Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the rise of the House: DOGS OUTSIDE AND UNATTENDED - H. 5736 would amend the […]

On Thursday, January 23, the Maryland General Assembly will once again consider bills to overturn a 2012 court ruling that declared all "pit bulls" as dangerous. Maryland residents are encouraged to contact the Maryland House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support overturning this discriminatory ruling. Residents are also encouraged to express any other comments […]

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) recently published proposed amendments to the regulations that carry out the state’s Animal Welfare Act.  These regulations would apply to all state licensed breeders, which in current law is anyone who raises and sells dogs they have bred, and have more than five females “capable of reproduction.” The proposed […]

The San Antonio City Council is expected to consider a new animal ordinance that seeks to further limit breeding and restrict pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from an animal rescue organization, an animal control agency, or a county animal shelter licensed by the city. Currently, Sec. 5-106 of the city’s ordinances requires […]