UPDATE (June 3, 2015):  The North Carolina General Assembly has voted to override the veto, and HB 405 is now law. UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports […]

AKC Government Relations has just learned that on Tuesday, June 2nd the Taos County, NM Board of County Commissioners will consider proposed changes to county animal control ordinances that include: Mandatory spay/neuter provisions Burdensome licensing fees Leash requirements that could deem your dog to be “at-large” even when on your own property, and Limit laws […]

Ask NY Committee to Support Allowing Service/Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims at Shelters May 26, 2015 The New York Senate Social Services Committee is considering a bill on Thursday, May 28, that would allow victims of domestic violence to bring their service or therapy dogs with them if they need to go to […]

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Louisiana House Bill 710 is scheduled to be heard by the House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Committee on Thursday, May 28.  The bill seeks to require certain dog breeders to register annually with their parish and to submit to annual inspections of their facilities by local officials.  The AKC […]

May 18, 2015 The NY Assembly Agriculture Committee is considering a bill tomorrow (Tuesday, May 19) that would clarify current law regarding minimum standards for dogs kept in outdoor shelters.  Current law already provides minimum requirements for dogs kept outdoors in inclement weather and extreme temperatures.  Assembly Bill 7033 contains reasonable clarifications to these requirements […]

May 22, 2015 A bill is advancing in the Illinois Senate that would create new requirements for shelters that will help streamline the process to get lost animals home more quickly.  House Bill 4029 could be considered by the Senate as early as Tuesday, May 26,  Illinois residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State […]

May 5, 2015 A bill remains active in Iowa that would further regulate breeders, hobbyists, fanciers, groomers, and rescues and require them to pay significant license fees.  Iowa dog owners, breeders, and fanciers are strongly encouraged to contact your State Senator and ask them to oppose Senate File 502.  Even if you already contacted your […]

April 28, 2015 Attention Alabama Dog Owners: Alabama House Bill 548 seeks to establish criminal penalties for failure to comply with overreaching, undefined, and arbitrary requirements for the care, feeding, and housing of dogs.  Compliance with the problematic provisions of HB 548 would be required for every person or organization that has “custody or ownership” […]

April 29, 2015 A bill is moving in the New York Assembly that would require licensing, inspections, and other regulations for pet grooming facilities. Assembly Bill 1451 has passed the Economic Development Committee and is pending consideration in the Assembly Codes Committee before being sent to the full Assembly.  Those who wish to comment on […]

Urgent NC Alert:  Breeder Regulations Scheduled to be Considered TODAY (4/22) April 22, 2015 The AKC has learned that a hearing and possible vote has been scheduled for today on a rewritten version of House Bill 159, which would seek to regulate certain dog owners as commercial breeders regardless of actual sales/commercial activity and require […]