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 […]

Yesterday, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 707 which bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. The new law becomes effective […]

Today, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 2610, a bill that seeks to allow the awarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes Senate Bill 2610, and encourages all Rhode Island dog owners to share their opposition to S.2610 […]

This is the last week for the Illinois Senate to vote on Senate bills and send them to the House of Representatives.  Among the bills expected to be considered is one that will impose a number of new requirements on anyone who is licensed as a dog breeder in the state – which could include […]

On Thursday, April 9, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee delayed consideration for a proposal that would have limited San Franciscans ability to keep intact dogs. The committee will work with stakeholders in the coming months to develop a plan that provides more effective solutions to lessen strain on […]

The 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly adjourned after considering a range of measures impacting dog owners, breeders, and animal welfare stakeholders. The American Kennel Club Government Relations (AKC GR) team remained actively engaged throughout the session, by working with state and local partners to advocate for responsible dog ownership policies and balanced, workable […]