March 5, 2019 A bill slated to move quickly in the Iowa House of Representatives would make significant changes to the state’s breeder laws. While some changes are a positive advancement, there are many concerning provisions that could unnecessarily harm dogs and responsible dog owners and breeders. A subcommittee discussed House Study Bill 227 today, […]

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase from a responsible breeder. While the AKC does not endorse or recommend specific breeders, we do offer several resources to locate breeders. The AKC recommends puppy buyers begin the search process by contacting the AKC Parent Club. Please […]

Monday, February 25, 2019 Every New Hampshire resident is encouraged to call or email your member of the NH House of Representatives and State Senate today.  First, ask your Representative to vote “NO” on HB 688 this Wednesday, February 27.  Second, contact your Senator and request a “NO” vote on SB 161 and SB 77 […]

February 12, 2019 The Virginia Senate is expected to consider a bill very soon that could create a number of significant problems for dogs and dog owners in Virginia, including unreasonable tethering laws that could actually hurt dogs and a new provision that would allow local governments to pass new, stricter laws on basic standards […]

Thursday, January 31, 2019 New Hampshire House Bill 688 - An Act Relative to Transfer and Inspection of Animals, which both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and our New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS), have serious concerns about, has been scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at […]

Friday, January 25, 2019 The American Kennel Club (AKC) and our New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS), are seriously concerned about a newly filed bill, HB 688 - An Act Relative to Transfer and Inspection of Animals. The bill is expected to be considered in a public hearing before the […]

Read part one and part two of this series. Genetics is a fundamental field of biology that covers the passage of genetic information to successive generations (inheritance). More broadly, genetics covers the study of genes, how they are organized in cells, how they are regulated, and how they interact with each other and the environment. Genetics is […]

The Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently presented a comprehensive Animal Welfare Reform plan to the City Council. This eight-step plan includes a complete overhaul of the City’s Animal Ordinance. While we do not yet know what this draft will include, other localities in the area have recently passed or are considering restrictive new laws, including […]

Despite letters of concern from AKC Government Relations, dog owners and breeders, and a state-licensed veterinarian to the New Haven, CT Board of Alders regarding proposed changes to their animal ordinance, the Board enacted a re-drafted animal ordinance proposal last night.  AKC GR has learned that the proposal will now go to the city’s Mayor […]

Last evening, the Cumberland (RI) Town Council decided to delay consideration of changes to their animal ordinance, providing the Board with more time to discuss the impact and for the Chief of Police to personally attend and testify on the record. As currently worded, item # 18-22A would remove an originally-proposed exemption from the breeder […]