The AKC Government Relations Department expects Oklahoma Senate Bill 1712 to be sent to Governor Brad Henry soon for his signature or veto.  It is imperative that all responsible dog breeders and owners in Oklahoma contact Governor Henry immediately and respectfully ask him to veto this bill. Bill Summary: Known as the "Commercial Pet Breeders […]

The American Kennel Club has learned that the Oklahoma Senate has approved Senate Bill 1712 by a vote of 29-17.  However, the Senate now has 36 hours to reconsider its vote.  It is vital that all concerned responsible dog breeders in Oklahoma call their State Senator today.  Respectfully oppose the Senate’s attempt at quickly moving […]

In a quick parliamentary action late yesterday, Oklahoma SB 1712 was further amended and is now set to receive a final Senate vote today, Tuesday April 27. The new amended version further expands government regulation of anyone who breeds dogs or cats and who owns more than 11 intact females of either species.  The bill’s […]

HJR 86 seeks to keep Missouri’s animal welfare regulations under the state legislature’s oversight instead of being manipulated by outside interests. The resolution, which has already passed the Missouri House of Representatives and the Senate Agriculture and Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committees, is meeting filibuster-type resistance on the Senate floor.  Therefore, it is imperative […]

The Oklahoma House passed SB 1712 yesterday. The bill will significantly expand government regulation of anyone who breeds dogs or cats and who owns more than 11 intact females of either species. The bill’s vague definition of commercial breeder includes no time frame, which means it will require commercial breeder licensing for anyone who owns […]

This Thursday, April 22, marks the important "3rd reading" deadline for Oklahoma legislation.  All bills that already passed their house of origin and were transferred to the other legislative chamber must be read for the third time and debated in that chamber by the end of the day Thursday.  This is a key deadline for […]

The AKC Government Relations Department has learned that the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance proposal currently under consideration by the New Orleans City Council will not be considered at its meeting this Thursday, April 22.  Because the New Orleans City Code requires at least 20 days of consideration for all proposals that seek to impose new permits […]

-- Purebreds and Mixed Breeds Spring into Agility Action -- Spring is always an exciting time for AKC Companion Events, especially Agility. Since its inception, Agility has been AKC’s fastest growing dog sport. It continued its growth in 2009 with 2,292 events (up 6.7 percent over 2008), 870,603 entries (up 3.8 percent over 2008) and […]

Nearly 1,000 of the Nation's Most Athletic Dogs Competed for Top Honors Eleven new AKC® National Agility Champions were crowned yesterday at the 2010 AKC National Agility Championship sponsored by LubriSyn CA and J&J Dog Supplies, held March 26-28 in Tulsa, Okla. The American Kennel Club® event brought together nearly 1,000 dogs from across the country […]

Oklahoma Senate Bill 1340 and Senate Bill 1712, which seek to provide state oversight over certain dog breeders, will be considered by the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, March 24.  We strongly urge all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Oklahoma to consider the provisions of the bills (described below), […]