The Norman Animal Welfare Center is holding a public hearing on Monday, November 26, to obtain community input on several proposed changes to the city’s Animal Welfare Ordinances. The proposed amendments include, but are not limited to: Mandatory sterilization of all dogs 4 months of age or older, unless an intact animal permit is purchased. […]

Yesterday, the West Virginia House passed House Bill 2095 – comprehensive legislation that seeks to enhance West Virginia’s animal welfare laws covering everything from the care of animals in shelters to the care of animals by private individuals. This legislation will bring West Virginia law into alignment with reasonable, accepted animal husbandry and care laws […]

Update: Friday, March 25, 2022 Yesterday, the New Jersey Senate passed Senate Bill 981 without amendments.  The bill has already been assigned to the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee. The American Kennel Club (AKC) remains opposed S.981 as currently worded, and continues to work to ensure that the bill’s lack of protections for co-owners […]

On Monday, June 14, the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture Committee will consider three dog-related bills.  It is imperative that American Kennel Club (AKC)-affiliated clubs in New Jersey, and breeders, owners, and performance dog enthusiasts, contact the members of the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture Committee and respectfully urge them to amend A.1365 and amend S.1258/A.2319. AMEND […]

UPDATE:  The Montgomery City Council did not take action on a proposed animal ordinance at its April 4, 2022 meeting.  It will likely be on the agenda of the April 19th meeting. This gives resident animal owners additional time to continue contacting city council members to state concerns with the proposed ordinance. As previously reported, […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) just learned that a proposed animal ordinance is scheduled for a vote by the Montgomery City Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. At the time of this alert, AKC has received information about certain provisions of the proposed ordinance.  An official copy of the proposed ordinance […]

The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday, January 15, 2021, on House Bill 81, and the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, on Senate Bill 122.  These identical bills place limitations on dogs being outdoors and unattended when […]

  Deck the Halls with AKC Toys, Games and Treats! The holiday season is right around the corner and AKC licensed merchandise includes products which are sure to please both canines and their human companions! From "dog-a-licious" treats to Rubik's Cubes to plush stuffed animals for kids and canines—there's an AKC item for everyone on […]

  In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were launched in 1998 and are now in its sixth year of honoring the Fancy's best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of selfless effort have made significant contributions […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is thrilled to announce the AKC Publications and AKC Digital Content stories and authors that received awards at the 2025 Dog Writer’s Association of America Awards. […]