As a breeder, you are dedicated to your dogs and your breed. You spend countless hours, time, and energy to ensure your dogs are healthy, well cared for, and loved.  And the American Kennel Club is committed to partnering with you to help achieve these goals through a myriad of programs, education, and resources. One […]

The Mercer County (WV) Commission is considering a proposal that would impose mandatory spay/neuter and breeder licensing requirements on county residents in order to address animal population concerns, particularly the “hundreds of dogs and cats that run at large and are a threat to public health”. A virtually identical measure was considered in 2011, however, […]

AKC Government Relations has learned that the City of Indianapolis/Marion County, Indiana, is being encouraged by several groups, including the Indianapolis Animal Care Services, to consider drafting a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance in order to address shelter population concerns in the city. While no draft has been formally introduced, it is believed that the proposal may […]

A phrase we hear more and more these days is helicopter parents — people who micromanage their child's every decision and movement. Often they take control and do tasks on their offsprings behalf no matter their age. In fact, for many helicopter parents, their grip grows as their children get older according to experts. Today […]

The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to vote very soon on Senate Bill 1154, which will prohibit retail pet stores (defined as any “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as pets”) from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to […]

The AKC Government Relations and many concerned dog owners and breeders submitted comments last week on Tulare County’s proposed changes to its Animal Ordinances and Kennel Standards. These changes will still need to be presented to the County Board of Supervisors at a later date. Tulare County Animal Services Division has not yet indicated when […]

The Shamong Township Committee is expected to consider changes to its animal ordinance at its meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 2, 2018.  The American Kennel Club encourages all concerned residents to attend tomorrow’s meeting to learn what changes will be proposed. BACKGROUND: In an effort to address a local animal control issue, the Shamong Township Committee […]

The Albemarle County (Virginia) Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal on Wednesday, October 3, that makes numerous changes to their animal control laws, including restricting humane tethering and expanding what is considered cruelty in the county. The American Kennel Club strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in conditions where its health, […]

Please share this information with animal owners, dog breeders, farmers, and agricultural businesses in Tulare County, CA.  Certain provisions of concern would apply not just to dog owners, but also to all animals and animal owners in the county. Tulare County, CA is considering a proposal that would significantly revise the county Animal Ordinance and […]

Just like the beauty-pageant queen who is a member of Mensa, the Poodle sometimes gets swept away in an unfair stereotype: These perfectly coiffed show dogs are also amazingly smart and versatile. Nicole Sugai of Targa Poodles in Saline, Michigan, knows that firsthand: A second-generation Poodle breeder together with her mom Patti Jason and sister […]