Legislative Alerts

• Illinois: Problematic Breeder Regulations Bill Likely Dead for Session

  An Illinois bill seeking in part to impose commercial standards on some home-based kennels and breeding programs has been pulled from consideration and will likely not move forward during the spring session. As mentioned in previous alerts, the “one size fits all” standards in Senate Bill 2990 are geared toward large commercial facilities and fail […]

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• New York: Ask Your State Lawmakers to Oppose Debarking Ban

  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 […]

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• Pennsylvania: Bill Introduced Providing Non-Economic Damages for Pets

  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, […]

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• U.S. Congress: AKC Lauds Passage of House Farm Bill with Priorities for Animal Welfare, Dog Owners and Sportsmen

  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 […]

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• New York Update: Bills Amended to Protect Home-Based Breeders

  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 […]

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• US Congress: Act NOW! Contact your Member of Congress to oppose anti-breeder and dog owner amendments being attached to the Farm Bill

  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 […]

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• US Federal: AKC Replies to APHIS’ Breeding Female, Exercise and Socialization Info Request

  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 […]

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