American Kennel Club - The Dog's Champion

Legislative Information and Updates from the AKC

A Publication of the AKC Government Relations Department

October 2016

What’s New from AKC Government Relations

Election Day 2016 is November 8. In these last days leading up to the election, candidates are vying for your vote. You may receive phone calls, visits from volunteer door knockers, or even a direct appeal from the candidate. As you walk to your polling place for early voting or on Election Day, you may pass dozens of workers with signs, stickers, and hand-outs who seek a last-minute chance to influence your vote. A candidate may introduce him or herself and offer to shake your hand.

If they ask for a moment of your time—give it to them.

It doesn’t matter if you support that candidate or not. Take advantage of this opportunity to make a statement on behalf of your dogs, your sport, and your breeding program. Rather than hanging up the phone, shutting the door, or replying “no thanks” and walking by, use that moment to let them know their actions on canine issues are important to you as a voter.

Mount Vernon Celebrates America’s Purebred Dog Heritage

Currently a measure is pending in the US Senate that would create a National Purebred Dog Day to celebrate the importance of purebred dogs, whose predictability and purpose have played an important role in the lives of Americans since the birth of our nation.

In fact, the “Father of Our Country” George Washington was an avid dog owner and breeder. His broad variety of purpose-bred dogs performed a number of important jobs, from a Greyhound named “Azor” that accompanied Washington throughout much of the Revolutionary War to his terriers that helped protect his Mount Vernon farm from rats and other creatures that threatened the animals and crops to a Dalmatian coach dog.

AKC Honors U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte for Protecting Domestic Violence Victims and Pets

The American Kennel Club 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 in protecting victims of domestic violence and their pets.

Senator Kelly Ayotte, AKC Vice President of Government Relations Sheila Goffe, and AKC Obedience Field Representative Diane Schultz. Photo © AKC

2016 Legislative Successes

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to partner with state federations, dog clubs and concerned owners to protect the rights of dog owners. The tireless response of responsible breeders, owners and fanciers across the country truly makes a difference! Visit the 2016 Legislative Successes page to view examples of recent results of their good work.

Legislative Information and Updates

Each year, thousands of dog-related laws and regulations are proposed at the federal, state, and local levels. So far this year, AKC GR has been monitoring more than 2,100 federal and state measures that could impact dog owners. U.S. Congress and four state legislatures are currently in regular session, California is in special session, and bills have been prefiled for 2017 in six states.

Visit the 2016 Legislation Tracking page for the most up-to-date information on state and federal legislation. This site, updated each weekday, provides the latest bill text, status, and links to legislative alerts posted by the AKC. Click on the links below to view highlights of issues that are being tracked by AKC Government Relations:

Federal — issues that may affect all dog owners in the U.S.
State — issues specific to your state
Local/Other — issues at the city, county, and metropolitan levels, and in U.S. territories

Please contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org for more information or to let us know what’s happening in your local community.

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