On August 8, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Board of Directors unanimously approved a new Canine Legislation Position Statement on Pet Choice. The statement (below) takes a strong stand in support of pet choice, education and responsible pet selection as a foundation for successful long-term pet ownership. It also affirms AKC’s opposition to legislation that […]

This article was originally published on Foxnews.com  While the zika virus poses worrisome human health concerns, another potential health problem is brewing that threatens both humans and domesticated animals --the importing of foreign dogs for adoption. Many people are unaware that the U.S. has become something of a favored nation for countries looking to export their […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), presented U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire with the AKC Legislator of the Year Award on Friday, October 14, at the Souhegan Kennel Club’s Fall Extravaganza and Regional Obedience Trial in Amherst. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the AKC is proud to recognize Senator Ayotte’s important role […]

The American Kennel Club recognizes the benefits of spaying and neutering dogs that are not part of a responsible breeding program or are not being shown. However, the decision of when and whether to spay or neuter a dog is not one to be taken lightly. Though commonplace, these elective procedures are major surgeries and […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) will honor Forrest and Charlotte Lucas with the inaugural AKC Award for Outstanding Leadership in Canine Policy. The award will be presented at the 2016 AKC National Championship Dog Show presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 17-18, 2016. The new AKC award is designed to honor those who […]

In December 2016, the Caribe Kennel Club presented an AKC Legislator of the Year Award to the Honorable Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago in a brief ceremony at the Capitol Building in San Juan.  The award, according to club Show Chair Teresa Y. Santana, DMD, was to demonstrate the club’s appreciation for the Senator’s “balanced […]

For the past several years, legislation has been introduced in Iowa that would further expand some of the most restrictive dog breeding rules in the country. A dedicated group of Iowa breeders and club members have joined together and been working tirelessly to share the other side of the story – all the ways responsible […]

2016 was a very busy year for AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) and for AKC state federations, clubs, legislative liaisons, and all who advocate on behalf of dogs and responsible dog ownership. The number of legislative proposals impacting dogs that AKC GR tracked in 2016 increase to more than 2,200, from a previous high of […]

More than one hundred legislators from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut publicly shared their commitment to responsible dog ownership this month by serving as honorary chairs for the Meet the Breeds™ event hosted by the American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club. Many of the Honorary Chairs, their staff, and families attended this year’s […]

2016 was another busy year for AKC Government Relations, its state federations, and responsible dog owners and breeders advocating for dogs.  Over 2,200 bills impacting animals were monitored by AKC GR. Several new laws impacting dog owners and breeders were enacted over the past year.  It is imperative for responsible owners to ensure they are […]