Today the AKC Government Relations Department released new, easy to use one-page overviews on legislative topics that have the potential to impact the legal classification of animals:

• Animals Need Responsible Owners, Not Guardians
   
• Laws that Provide Court-Appointed Animal Advocates Could Undermine Animal Welfare.

The current legal classification of animals as property is important because it provides that dog owners have both legal rights and legal responsibilities with respect to their animals.

However, radical animal rights groups oppose the concept of animal ownership and consider the changing of the legal status of animals to be an important step in achieving their agenda to eliminate ownership or use of animals.

AKC believes the traditional classification of animals as property underscores a predictable and reliable system in which animals are properly cared for by their owners while also benefitting from laws that provide greater protection for their care than other types of property.

If animal rights groups succeed in changing laws so that animals are classified the same as people,  it would not only impact our ability to own, breed, and compete with our beloved dogs; it would touch off potentially catastrophic global health impacts and an end to animal agriculture.

AKC GR will continue to work to promote laws that protect animal ownership and animal welfare principles alike. 

Visit www.akcgr.org to review these materials and share them with lawmakers considering legislation on issues important to responsible breeders and owners.

Learn more about these and other new resources at the AKC Legislative Action Center, a one-stop shop for dog owners, club members, and breeders to find all the tools and resources you need to be an advocate for your dogs and breeding program.