Both the New York Assembly and Senate will likely soon vote on legislation to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. The AKC opposes the portion of Assembly Bill 8551/Senate Bill 3026 which would restrict […]

Recently, Pennsylvania State Representative Kristine Howard introduced a bill that would significantly change Pennsylvania law by allowing courts to award non-economic damages of up to $15,000 when a companion animal is injured or killed due to another person’s actions. These non-economic damages would compensate an owner for the loss of the expected society, companionship, love, […]

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the Farm Bill. This measure reauthorizes key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs for five years and addresses federal priorities for numerous animal related issues, including animal welfare provisions in the federal Animal Welfare […]

Yesterday, the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee approved an amended version of a bill that as introduced would have been detrimental to many home-based breeders in New York. AKC thanks the Associated Dog Clubs of New York State and all the club members and breeders who have taken the time to contact New York lawmakers […]

The full U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled vote on the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the week of 27th.  The AKC is proud to support the version of the Farm Bill slated for consideration by the House as it includes important priorities for dog enthusiasts […]

Earlier this week, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA APHIS) February 2026 Request for Information (RFI) regarding the health of breeding females, and the exercise and socialization needs of all dogs, kept by breeders licensed under the federal Animal […]

The Illinois Senate now has until May 8 to vote on a bill impacting breeders, after extending the voting deadline on certain bills.  Illinois residents should continue contacting the Senate and express concerns that the breeder requirements in Senate Bill 2990 are not in the best interest of all dogs. Summary: As written,  Senate Bill […]

  April 17, 2026 The Honorable G. T. Thompson Chairman House Agriculture Committee U.S. House of Representatives 400 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 RE:        American Kennel Club Support for H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. Dear Chairman Thompson. On behalf of the American Kennel Club (AKC), our […]

Friday, April 17, 2026 South Carolina Senate Bill 720, the South Carolina Humane Dog Breeding Act, has been scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. SB 720 seeks to establish state oversight of professional dog breeders, which the bill defines as a person who possesses ten or more intact adult female dogs for breeding and […]

Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate amendments and vote on final passage of the Farm Bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” the week of April 27. In our previous Farm Bill alert to AKC constituents, we reported that […]