With the beginning of a new year, and for many states, new legislative sessions, the American Kennel Club Government Relations (GR) team is pleased to announce 2021 legislative successes.  

AKC GR monitors more than 2,000 bills each year that could impact responsible dog ownership,  the health and wellbeing of dogs, and related matters.  AKC GR counts successes as measures that the team has actively engaged in. To learn more about AKC legislative actions in 2021, view AKC’s Legislative year in review.

Highlights in 2021 include New York A. 4075/S. 4254, which prohibits homeowners insurance carriers from discriminating on insurance coverage based solely on the breed of dog owned by an individual. In Kansas, the city of Overland Park repealed its 35-year-old breed ban. And in Connecticut HB 6504  passed, which closed a loophole in the definitions for “animal importer” and “animal shelter”, effectively requiring a veterinary examination of animals brought into the state by animal shelters.  To learn more, visit the AKC Legislative Action Center.