The New York Assembly is expected to soon vote on a bill that would prohibit homeowner’s insurance providers from refusing or cancelling coverage or increasing premiums based solely on the breed of dog owned by the policy holder. All responsible dog owners and breeders in New York are encouraged to contact their Assembly Member to […]

Yesterday, after hours of testimony was presented, the Texas House Business and Industry Committee took no action on House Bill 1818.  HB 1818 would limit pet stores located in counties of more than 200,000 residents to sourcing dogs from only: (1) an animal control agency, (2) an animal shelter, (3) an animal rescue organization, or (4) […]

March came in like a lion and continues to roar for the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations department (AKC GR). The GR team is currently tracking over 2,000 pieces of legislation and has sent out a record number of alerts to ensure that your rights as a dog owner, breeder, and fancier are not infringed […]

Local/Other: Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in U.S. Territories 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 […]

The Boise City Council is requesting public feedback on a number of changes to the city’s animal control ordinance until March 30, 2021. This “kitchen sink” bill contains over 40 pages of changes, including requiring written permission from neighbors to keep four dogs on your property, allowing private citizens to remove dogs from cars, the […]

Recently, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned its 2021 session.  During the short 30-day session, a few bills relating to dogs and dog owners were considered. Those bills monitored by AKC Government Relations included: House Bill 2109: As originally introduced, this bill sought to expands the regulatory and policymaking Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services by […]

The Utah Legislature adjourned for the year on Friday, March 5 without passing House Bill 420. This bill as introduced would have restricted retail pet stores in the state, and included a broad definition of pet store that could have included hobbyists who raise and sell dogs in their home. AKC expressed concerns with this […]

It's been a hard year for everyone, and teachers and young students have faced some of the toughest battles of all. One teacher in Seattle hoping to boost morale and engagement in her second-grade remote-learning class hit upon a winning solution: a class pet. A class dog, to be precise, who would join the children […]

On Tuesday, March 2, the Memphis City Council will hold a third and final vote on an ordinance that makes false claims about breeders and would restrict consumer choice when acquiring a pet. Memphis residents are urged to contact city council members and urge a no vote on the pet store ordinance.  Scroll down for […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) thanks both the New Hampshire residents who contacted lawmakers this month regarding bills impacting dogs and the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee for the consideration of their comments and the thoughtful review of legislation before them. Two of three helpful bills supported by AKC GR and considered by […]