The AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) team was represented at the 2019 National League of Cities (NLC) Summit, held this year in San Antonio, TX. Throughout the multi-day conference, Phil Guidry, AKC’s Director of Policy Analysis, and Nathan Makla, Government Relations Administrator, met with and provided information to elected officials and staff from communities across the country.

Attending for the third time in as many years, the booth was one of the most popular at the conference. AKC GR provided information on canine legislative issues, responsible dog ownership programs, and the many positive things the AKC does on behalf of dogs. City attorneys, mayors, and city council members stopped by the AKC GR booth to discuss specific policy questions and to seek AKC’s insights and input on a variety of issues, including breed-specific laws, pet store regulations, and advice on dog parks.

Many officials who stopped by the booth were pleasantly surprised to find the wealth of information and educational programs that AKC offers, and thanked AKC GR for being a resource on canine issues that impact every community.  In addition, many officials, their spouses, and other private sector attendees simply stopped by to share their dogs’ photos and stories, with many proudly proclaiming they own an AKC-registered purebred dog.

The National League of Cities is one of several national policymaker conferences that AKC GR attends each year. Policymaker conferences provide the opportunity to connect with legislators and organizations that share a commitment to animal welfare and protecting the rights of responsible animal owners.

“Local officials play an important role in ensuring that animal control laws are developed fairly and enforced appropriately; and are key to protecting the safety and health of communities,” said Guidry.  “The National League of Cities Summit provides AKC GR with valuable face-to-face opportunities to help local leaders address modern animal control challenges while promoting the principles of responsible dog ownership.”