American Kennel Club - The Dog's Champion

Legislative Information and Updates from the AKC

A Publication of the AKC Government Relations Department

January 2017

What’s New from AKC Government Relations

This edition of Taking Command reviews legislative highlights from 2016, and assesses how they may impact responsible dog ownership in your state and community, and provides guidance on new laws that go into effect in 2017.

The AKC Government Relations Team is pleased to announce a new emphasis and expansion in regional outreach starting in 2017. New initiatives include regional legislative conferences throughout the country. AKC GR’s first regional conference will focus on New England, and takes place on January 22 in Massachusetts. Most spaces, offered to New England Clubs, Legislative and Federation leaders have already been spoken for. As of publication time, a few spaces may still be available. For more information, contact Phil Guidry at pmg@akc.org or doglaw@akc.org.

AKC GR 2016 Legislative Year in Review

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.

New Year, New Dog Laws

Several new laws impacting dog owners and breeders were enacted over the past year. It is imperative for responsible owners to ensure they are in compliance with all laws. Here are some examples from around the country.

Another Study Demonstrates Possible Link Between Spay/Neuter and Increased Disease Incidences

A new research article, Gonadectomy Effects on the Risk of Immune Disorders in the Dog: A Retrospective Study, published on December 8, 2016, by BMC Veterinary Research, further demonstrates a possible link between sterilization and increases in certain immune diseases in dogs.

Puerto Rico Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Receives AKC Legislator of the Year Award

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.

Pictured, from L to R: Zaida Pérez (Board Director); Teresa Y. Santana (Show Chairman); José E. Casellas ( club member); Senate Vice President José L. Dalmau Santiago; Iris Piñero (Board Director); and Odalis Aldarondo (Club member and Club President’s wife). Photo © Caribe Kennel Club, used with permission.

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 1,200 federal and state measures that could impact dog owners. U.S. Congress, forty state legislatures, and Puerto Rico are currently in regular session, and an additional nine states are accepting pre-filed bills for upcoming sessions.

Visit the 2017 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.

Resources

Email Subscription Center
Learn About Dogs
Register Your Dog
AKC Events
AKC Clubs

Connect with us

ABOUT AKC

About AKC
Mission Statement

AKC Headquarters
260 Madison Ave
New York, NY 1?0016
Telephone: 212.696.8200