Clubs Encouraged to Hold Educational Events For AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that the fourth annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day will be held on Saturday, September 16th. The goal of the initiative is to educate first-time dog owners about the responsibilities of dog ownership […]

Click here for an update to this Alert The Los Angeles County Animal Board of Supervisors will meet April 18th to discuss their proposal to require all dogs to be spayed or neutered unless their owner purchases a $60 intact animal license (currently $30) and meets the stringent criteria established by the county. The measure […]

  -- Gina Weiser, Rosalind Kraus and John Leininger Join Executive Field Staff; Walter Bebout Named Director of Canine Legislation; Penny Leigh and Phil Guidry to Internal Consulting Group; Michael Shea to Retire -- American Kennel Club Chief Operating Officer John Lyons today announced the appointments of six longtime fanciers to key positions at AKC. […]

The Wilmington Kennel Club and local dog owners report that the proposed breed-specific ordinance in New Castle County was defeated 11-2 yesterday. The council is now working to establish a task force to come up with effective measures to address the county's problems with loose dogs and irresponsible owners. AKC looks forward to working with […]

  --David Keene and Dr. William R. Newman Elected to Board of Directors; Incumbent Director Nina Schaefer Re-Elected; Ronald H. Menaker and David C. Merriam Re-Elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman Respectively -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates and subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors took place on March 14, 2006. David […]

The New Castle County Council will vote next Tuesday, March 14th, on an ordinance to restrict "pit bulls." The measure, authored by Councilman Jea P. Street, defines "pit bulls" as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers and any dog displaying the physical characteristics of these breeds. The measure will require owners […]

AKC has learned from responsible dog owners in Oklahoma that Sen. Earl Garrison, Chairman of the Senate General Government Committee, has agreed not to hear S1569 and S1702. These bills would have permitted cities and counties to enact breed-specific legislation, action that is currently prohibited by state law. With this legislation effectively dead in committee, […]

-- Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family. -- In light of the release this week of the film, "The Shaggy Dog," and the recent success of "8 Below" featuring Siberian Huskies, the American Kennel Club reminds moviegoers about the importance of […]

  AKC Board Chairman Ron Menaker today commented on the seizure of several hundred dogs from a kennel in Chester County, PA, citing it as an example of the need for more comprehensive legislation to protect pets. "This very sad case is an example of why we support the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS)," said […]

The Vermont Federation of Dog Clubs reports that S250, a bill to prohibit ear cropping in Vermont, has been scheduled for a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee on March 15th. Time and location are yet to be determined. Dog owners are strongly encouraged to attend the hearing and urge opposition to the bill! Vermont […]