The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that State Representative John T. O’Connor of New Hampshire will be presented with the 2018 AKC Legislator of the Year Award for New Hampshire. Angela Ferrari, Legislative Chair for AKC’s New Hampshire federation, the Dog […]

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 introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

The City of Atlanta’s Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee is scheduled to vote on an ordinance to on Tuesday, October 23, that would restrict sourcing of animals to pet stores. Instead, they would only be allowed to provide animals from shelters or rescues. Even if you do not personally provide dogs to pet stores, […]

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 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 […]

For the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations department, this summer has had a unique focus on policy issues on the federal level. Topics such as detection dogs, dog importation, and animal welfare have all been hot topics for Congress. The American Kennel Club continues to work closely with members of Congress to educate and advocate […]