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 […]

New and advancing bills that impact animals and animal owners are scheduled for hearings at the Florida State Legislature on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.  SB 186 is on the agenda of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  This bill would provide that certain contracts for the sale or lease of a pet are void and unenforceable. The […]

The New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, during which it will consider three bills of concern to dog owners.   The American Kennel Club (AKC) is tracking more than 25 New Hampshire bills filed this session that could impact breeders and responsible dog owners.  We strongly encourage […]

Yesterday, the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee took testimony on three dog bills and delayed testimony for two weeks on HB 1389.  AKC’s prior alert and details on bills scheduled for this hearing can be reviewed here. Updates from the Committee hearing:  American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) testified with the New […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2020 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Colorado – HB 20-1084 would place further restrictions on breeders, and restrict pet choice and consumer protection […]

From Our Nation's Capitol AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2020 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 of issues we are currently addressing on the federal […]

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 […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations This issue of Taking Command highlights major issues and emerging trends in legislation over the past year.  In 2019, the Government Relations department tracked more bills than ever before. Success in protecting the rights of dog owners and ensuring the well-being of dogs is achieved through the hard work of […]

AKC Government Relations Reflects on Record 2019 Legislative Year 2019 was a record year for AKC Government Relations, with the team tracking over 2,300 bills on the federal, state and local levels across all 50 states. This marks a significant increase, with over 300 more bills than 2018, and the most bills ever tracked by […]

A bill has been introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives that would place further regulations on breeders, and restrict pet choice and consumer protections in the state. Colorado residents are strongly encouraged to contact your State Representative, as well as the House Rural Affairs, today and express your concerns with House Bill 20-1084. (Scroll […]