Local/Other: Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in U.S. Territories The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or […]

Kalamals Kennel is a family-run show kennel in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where Eric and Julie Kalamaja have been cherishing and sharing their lives with their beautiful Alaskan Malamutes since 1988. Their focus is on health, temperament, longevity and total well-being, producing happy and affectionate companions, as well as champion show dogs. AKC: […]

Growing up on a farm, Adrienne Hales developed a love of raising animals at an early age. Her passion turned to pets at the age of 8 when she began breeding Teddy Bear Hamsters for her friends. Her dedication to detail included designing their playgrounds and building them with paper towel rolls. At age 12, […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is responsible for enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), announced that it is rescinding December 2017 (updated in May 2018) guidance that described an incentive program that recognized licensees and registrants who took appropriate and timely action to […]

Fueled by record growth in pet acquisition and registration, the American Kennel Club (AKC®), the leading advocate for dogs, and PetPartners, Inc. (PPI), its longtime administrator of AKC Pet Insurance (insurance underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company), announced an expanded licensing and marketing agreement which takes their relationship to an unprecedented new level. The expanded […]

Have you, as a breeder, been targeted or harassed after you participated in a legislative process, commented on a proposed law or regulation, or communicated your opinion on a dog-related issue?  Let’s ask that question more plainly: Do you believe that something suspicious, threatening, or unjustified occurred just because you took action on an issue […]

When you get a dog, you commit to providing loving care throughout your canine companion’s lifetime. For a responsible owner, this includes planning who will care for your dog if you become incapacitated or die before the dog does. This is not a happy thought, but if you take the necessary and proper steps to […]

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

News from the State Capitols  Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Connecticut – On January 8, 2021 the General Assembly issued a bulletin listing legislative leadership and a two-week schedule for remote committee meetings to determine organization rules governing procedures. Florida – Several bills of interest to dog owners […]

In addition to tracking and responding to legislative proposals, AKC Government Relations addresses dog-related regulatory proposals from the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is currently tracking approximately 750 regulatory proposals, most which concern land use/hunting regulations and those governing the practice of veterinary medicine.  […]