The North Carolina House and Senate are expected to consider bills on Monday, June 6 to expand the localities in North Carolina that may transfer a retired working dog to its handler when the dog is retired from service. The American Kennel Club supports House Bill 1009 and Senate Bill 849, which will ensure the […]

En Español Legislation has been introduced in both the Puerto Rico House and Senate that would put a 5-year ban on all breeding and mandate the sterilization of every dog in Puerto Rico.  Those who do not comply risk fines, imprisonment, and having their dogs seized by law enforcement. The legislation states that this will […]

The NY Assembly Insurance Committee has given initial approval to a bill that would prohibit homeowners insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder.  The bill now goes to the Assembly Codes Committee.  All responsible dog owners and breeders in New […]

The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) has issued new guidance that allows USDA licensees and registrants to use microchips to officially identify regulated animals without having to request a variance. USDA-licensed dog breeders, owners, transporters, and other regulated entities can view USDA’s May 23, 2016 bulletin and the […]

Proposed renovations to Thomas Square, a popular dog event venue in Honolulu, and their impact on current park users will be on the agenda for discussion at three upcoming public meetings: Park Permittee Public Meeting—Monday, May 23, 2016, 5:30-7:30 pm, Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall - Kauai Room (enter from the Galleria 2nd Floor), 777 Ward […]

The Iowa State Legislature adjourned on Friday evening for the year and once again no legislation that would negatively impact breeders and dog owners was passed.  For the past several years, legislation has been introduced that would have further regulated those who maintain at least four intact dogs and receive any kind of consideration for […]

A bill was approved yesterday by the North Carolina House Local Government Committee that would expand the laws allowing law enforcement officers to adopt the animals they worked with once the animals are retired.  In 2015, a law was passed on this issue, but it only applied to the City of Raleigh and Mecklenburg County.  […]

Yesterday, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Senate to declare May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day.  Senate Resolution 447 “designates May 1 as National Purebred Dog Day in celebration of purebred dogs and the many service and companion benefits purebred dogs have and continue to provide to the United States.” The resolution further […]

Friday, April 15, 2016 Connecticut Senate Bill 228, which seeks to allow non-economic damages in cases involving injury to a pet, and House Bill 5344, which seeks to create court-appointed animal advocates in court cases involving pets, are currently pending in the Connecticut General Assembly.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that far-reaching unintended consequences […]

The United States Department of Agriculture today released an updated version of its online course for dog breeders.  This course provides the latest information on the federal Animal Welfare Act regulations and licensing requirements.  The program includes information on the pre-licensing process, and guidelines and suggestions to help breeders be in compliance.  The course can […]