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 introduced […]

From Our Nation's Capitol Although neither chamber is in session this week, the AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights […]

September 25, 2019 A Prince George’s County (Maryland) policy committee is expected to consider numerous changes to the county’s animal laws at a hearing tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. Those who reside or participate in dog events and activities in Maryland are strongly encouraged to contact the Prince George’s County committee and express concerns with how […]

By Sheila Goffe, Director of Government Relations The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a not-for profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs as family companion and the health and wellbeing of all dogs. For more than 130 years, AKC has been recognized worldwide as the expert on purebred breeding and all aspects […]

By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation It was one of the busiest days of the legislative year in North Carolina, but that didn't stop legislators, legislative staff, and state employees from responding to the AKC's invitation to "stop by on your lunch break and hug a dog!" at AKC's 4th annual "Canines at the Capitol" […]

In the Gregorian solar calendar, which is the international civil calendar, the New Year is a fixed day, Jan. 1, around the world. The Chinese calendar, however, is a lunar calendar, which is why the Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year. This year, the New Year is on Feb. 16. In […]

-Organization is An Advocate for Breed Preservation & Dogs Everywhere- On September 17, 1884, a group of 12 dedicated sportsmen from local dog clubs convened to form the American Kennel Club® (AKC®).  135 years later, the AKC has grown into the world’s largest not-for-profit dog registry and is the second oldest amateur sport-governing body in the […]

In 1939, a million Americans a year paid admission to attend AKC shows exhibiting over 100,000 dogs across the country. The mightiest events, Westminster and Morris & Essex, reported record-setting entry numbers during the 1930s that have still never been topped. Savvy publicity efforts and new AKC publications brought the formerly closed-circuit world of purebred dog breeding and exhibition to the American public, who clamored for more. […]

September 16, 2019 An overreaching animal ordinance is back on the agenda for 9/17/19 in Hattiesburg, MS.  The ordinance has been minimally amended, and additional amendments might be added.   However, as of the time of this message, many provisions of concern remain in Draft #3 of the ordinance, and new problematic provisions have been added. […]

--Family-Friendly and Educational Event Returns for its 17th Year-- The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) invites you to celebrate the human-canine bond this September 28th in Raleigh, NC at the 17th annual flagship AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, sponsored by AKC Pet Insurance. Owning a dog has endless pleasures and rewards, but it’s important to be […]