A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives that would ban ear cropping, tail docking, and "debarking." No individual may perform these procedures, and veterinarians may only do so if relieving an injury, illness, infection, etc. House Bill 6009 has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee and is not currently scheduled […]

First, the good news: You cannot get lice from your dog, nor can your dog pick up this parasite from you. Lice are species-specific; those that thrive on your dog’s blood won’t change their dining preferences if they land on you, or vice versa. But there is plenty of bad news where this parasite is […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations May has been a busy month for the AKC Government Relations Team. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter legislative calendars and processes nationwide.  A patchwork of state requirements impact dog owners, club activities/ events, and pet-related enterprises. In addition to GR’s standard legislative tracking, the team continues to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and advocate for all dogs, is pleased to express strong support and gratitude for the introduction of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2020 in the U.S. House of Representatives today. The organization would like to thank Congressmen Ralph Abraham (LA-5), Ted Yoho (FL-3), […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction today of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2020  in the U.S. House of Representatives. AKC is grateful for the bi-partisan leadership of Congressmen Abraham (LA-5), Schrader (OR-5) and Yoho (FL-3) in sponsoring the bill, and believes this will go a long way to addressing concerns about recent […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations  We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. We know you are washing your hands, wearing your mask, and keeping a safe distance from others, but we have heard many people worry about whether their beloved dogs could catch or spread the […]

Pyometra, an infection of the uterus, can be a life-threatening disease in dogs. While the disease is well-known, we do not yet understand exactly how it develops. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners by funding humane scientific research. The AKC CHF remains committed to the prevention, treatment, […]

Yesterday, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship published the final updates to the state’s animal welfare regulations. Visit the IDALS website to view the regulations in their entirety.  AKC thanks all those who took the time to submit comments to the department. Summary: The purpose of these updates in part is to address […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. California – AB 588 will require any animal shelter, rescue organization or humane society to disclose the […]

Last week, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) posted new proposed regulations regarding animal welfare and is seeking public comment until October 30. IDALS is seeking public input and has indicated to the American Kennel Club that they want to hear from Iowa breeders and hobbyists.  AKC greatly appreciates that IDALS continues […]