In 2015, AKC Government Relations (GR) tracked more than more than 1,700 federal, state and local bills as well as a variety of regulations at the state and federal levels. The GR team is also tracking a number of pre-filed bills for upcoming 2016 legislative sessions. Some of the major issues and emerging trends in […]

A major push for extreme anti-breeder groups seen in dozens of communities throughout the country is for local bills to ban the sale of pets at retail pet stores in that community and require pet stores to sell only “shelter or rescue pets.” On the face of it, this sounds like something that AKC and […]

AKC Government Relations saw an increased number of bills in 2015 that allow inspections and enforcement of dog breeders by groups or organizations that have little or no experience or expertise in dog breeding. Such measures often give shelters and local humane societies or a designee of their choice the ability to write and/or enforce […]

This issue of Taking Command reviews major issues and emerging trends in legislation.  Among other developments, an increasing number of proposed laws seek to establish arbitrary dog care requirements that are not based on scientific criteria or accepted animal husbandry practices. For example, some states and communities have proposed laws that would require owners to provide dogs with “constant […]

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 in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.   California – Assembly Bill 1762 -- This bill would allow visitors to all California state parks to bring animals when they […]

The AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2018 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 level include:   […]

On March 9, 2015, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Perez v. Mortgage Bankers Association that administrative agencies do not need to post public notice or solicit comments when they revise interpretive rules. BACKGROUND The federal Administrative Procedure Act (APA) governs the way that administrative agencies of the U.S. government may propose and establish regulations.  […]

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 in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

Happy New Year from all of us at the American Kennel Club! A new year means new bills and ordinances introduced at the federal, state, and local level that will affect responsible dog owners, breeders, and exhibitors. Twenty states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are already in session. This means the AKC […]