In a letter to Secretary Ann Veneman, the American Kennel Club is urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make important and needed improvements to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA requires that minimum standards of care and treatment be provided for certain animals sold at wholesale, used in research, and transported commercially. […]

Help is needed immediately to defeat legislation that has been introduced in Maryland to severely restrict debarking of dogs. The bill (H355) is currently awaiting a vote by the House Committee on Environmental Matters. Debarking of dogs is a commonly misunderstood practice. When performed by a veterinarian, debarking is an acceptable medical procedure that is […]

The US Court of Appeals sided with the USDA and AKC Tuesday in a case that would have made all residential breeders of dogs and cats subject to federal licensing and inspection. The ruling, which reversed a lower court's decision, rejects arguments by Doris Day Animal League and other animal rights groups that wanted to […]

Immediate help from New Jersey dog owners is needed to defeat legislation that would severely restrict ownership of "pit bulls" and possibly Rottweilers. A2906 was introduced in October 2002 and fanciers immediately rallied to educate lawmakers about the ineffectiveness of breed-specific legislation. An identical Senate bill, S2381, was introduced in late February. We must act […]

On Monday, January 13th, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will give final consideration to changes to the city's animal control regulations. The proposed amendments would add the term "guardian" wherever "owner" appears in San Francisco's municipal code. The measure passed first reading in early December and now needs only 6 votes to become law. […]

Despite dog owners' efforts, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave final approval to the proposed "guardian" ordinance on January 13th. The measure adds the term "guardian" wherever "owner" appears in San Francisco's municipal code. The ordinance will now be sent to the mayor, who has ten days to act on it. Residents should contact […]

  AKC Humane Fund Seeks Entries From Across the Nation for 10th Annual Awards for Canine Excellence New York, NY – Just about every dog owner agrees that canines offer us unlimited love and companionship no matter what hardships we face in life. The AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) were created to […]

  The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that 26 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 16 states. The scholarships for high school, college and graduate school students range from $1,000 to $3,000 for each student. "These awards have been given to successful students who have also reached the highest levels of […]

  New York, NY – For the past 125 years, the American Kennel Club® has been the nation's premier advocate for dogs and the people who love them. The AKC's Board of Directors has voted unanimously to proceed with a program for mixed breed dogs which will allow it to act even more broadly and […]

  -- Lee Arnold, Carl C. Ashby, III, Alan Kalter, and Dr. Robert D. Smith Elected -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 10, 2009. Four new Directors have been elected: Lee Arnold, Delegate from the Southern Colorado Kennel Club; Carl C. Ashby, III, Delegate from the United States Kerry Blue […]