The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department has just become aware that TODAY the Santa Paula City Council will have a first reading and vote on an ordinance (p.104) that would establish mandatory spay/neuter of dogs and cats in the city unless the owner qualifies for an exemption. The listed exemptions are vague and problematic. […]

The American Kennel Club has learned that local animal rights activists are working to pass “Puppy Mill Awareness Day” resolutions in every county in Iowa, as well as the state level to coincide with an event on February 3.  While no official language has yet been introduced on the state level, talking points and text […]

The NY Assembly has passed a ban on “debarking” and now the bill goes to the Senate Agriculture Committee. The AKC opposes A1679, which would restrict the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians.  Last year, the bill never received a hearing […]

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing for October 20 on a proposal that would, among other provisions, prohibit tethering a dog for more than 1 hour cumulatively a day – with no exceptions.  The proposal specifically states that this restriction is in place even if the dog is provided with the […]

The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee is scheduled to take public testimony on Wednesday, October 21, on a bill that as introduced creates numerous new regulations regarding shelter intake and release of dogs and cats.  The agenda for the hearing also indicates that the bill may include provisions “to include large-scale commercial dog breeders.” Summary: […]

Michigan House Bill 4898, which seeks to limit the number of dogs that can be kept on a single premises and expands state authority to regulate  “large scale dog breeding kennels”, has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee and could be scheduled for consideration by the full House of Representatives very soon.  Michigan residents […]

A program approved yesterday by the North Carolina governor will establish a new “hotline” in the state to allow North Carolinians to report any violation of the state's animal cruelty laws or Animal Welfare Act directly to the Attorney General. The “hotline” will consist of multiple methods by which to report alleged violations, including a […]

A bill has passed two Michigan Senate committees that would prohibit local governments in the state from enacting or enforcing laws that focus solely on a dog’s breed.  The AKC supports Senate Bill 239, which would ensure that local governments regulate dogs based on specific actions, rather than their appearance.  Governments could still pass animal […]

September 30, 2015 Late yesterday, the U.S Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released additional guidance in a Question and Answer format to assist pet breeders, brokers, adoption organizations, importers, transporters and other groups who may be subject to licensing under the federal Animal Welfare Act.    The Retail Pet Store […]

Thursday, August 6, 2015 The New Jersey Senate’s Economic Growth Committee will consider five proposals dealing with dogs on Monday, August 10.  The American Kennel Club encourages all dog owners in New Jersey to review the proposals and contact the members of the committee with any concerns you may have.  Assembly Bill 2389 and Senate […]