A bill has passed the Kansas Legislature that would mandate unannounced inspections of all state licensees- including hobbyists. In Kansas, a hobby breeder must be licensed if 3-5 litters are produced and under 30 animals sold in a year.  Unannounced inspections could prove challenging, as it is a hobby and the owner cannot be expected […]

Although most dog lovers view every day as pet day, April 11 marks National Pet Day — a chance to honor the happiness and joy they bring to our lives. Celebrate the occasion with one (or more!) of these gifts your canine companion is sure to love. Toys & Treats BFF Dog Gift Pack Everything your dog […]

The American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of purebred dogs. AKC is a "club of clubs," comprised of over 500 member clubs and almost 5000 affiliated clubs. There are no individual members. Each member club exercises its voting privileges through a representative known as a "delegate." The delegates form the […]

Third Home is the Charm, owned by Laurie Liversidge of Irving, TX  Goose, a former stray from Dallas, had several injuries when she was picked up, including an embedded collar that had to be surgically removed. She had been adopted once but was returned to the shelter a couple of months later. “Since she had […]

The Maryland Legislature has approved a bill 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 “showcase” animals available for adoption from […]

Due to the length of its previous hearing, during which deep concerns were expressed by many dog owners, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS), the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, the New Hampshire Farm Bureau and the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association, the New Hampshire House Environment and […]

Two bills will be considered in Illinois on Tuesday, April 10, that would allow private citizens to remove animals from locked vehicles if they have a good faith belief the animal is in imminent danger. The AKC agrees that no person or animal should ever be left in a situation where their health or safety […]

On Monday, April 9, the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will hear testimony on a bill to require state animal shelters and animal control facilities to report certain information regarding the animals entering and leaving the facilities. House Bill 5477, initiated by the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO), is an important […]

The Onondaga County Legislature had been considering two proposals that would impact a dog owner’s ability to keep their dog outside. The AKC Government Relations department urged residents and those who participate in events in Onondaga County to share concerns with Legislator Ryan’s proposal, which would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more […]

Does your dog drive you crazy with problem behavior? Perhaps they're jumping on your guests or begging at the table — issues you can tackle with a skilled trainer. But maybe things are more serious, and you’re not sure where to turn. It might be time to hire a behavior consultant or animal behaviorist. These professionals work with clients […]