In addition to tracking and responding to legislative proposals, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) addresses dog-related regulatory proposals from the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. 

Regulations may be issued by federal and state government agencies to carry out and enforce legislation passed by Congress or state legislatures.  These agencies perform different functions, including rulemaking.  The rules, called regulations, are designed to guide those regulated by the agency.  Regulations also help ensure that laws are applied fairly and uniformly. 

The majority of regulatory proposals tracked by AKC Government Relations concern land use/hunting regulations and those governing the practice of veterinary medicine.  AKC GR will continue to provide alerts and comments on regulatory proposals as they are introduced. 

Have comments or questions regarding regulations?  Contact AKC Government Relations at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. 

Regulatory Alerts and Updates: 

• Breaking: Supreme Court Upholds Calif. Pork Import Rules, Could Set Precedent for Dogs (May 2023)
   
• USDA APHIS Issues New, Controversial Five-Year Strategic Plan (April 2023)
   
• Table of U.S. Interstate Dog Importation Requirements (April 2023)
   
• AKC Comment on USDA APHIS’ Environmental Enrichment Proposal (April 2023)
   
• APHIS Extends Environmental Enrichment Comment Period to April 10 (March 2023)
   
• Rhode Island Info: Hunting Regulations Restructuring Proposed (March 2023)
  • A detailed summary of the proposed rules may be viewed here.
     
• Florida Info: Hunting Regulations Update Proposed, Expands Hunting with Dogs (February 2023)
   
• Teachable Moments Removed from APHIS Animal Welfare Inspection Guide (January 2023)
   
• Breaking: CDC Extends Suspension of Dog Imports from Countries Classified as High-Risk for Rabies (January 2023)
   
• TX Regs Info: TDLR Finalizes Updates to Inspection Rules (January 2023)
   
• Federal Regulations: APHIS Proposes Environmental Enrichment Requirements for Dogs Regulated Under AWA (January 2023)
   
• OH Update: Ohio Ag. Department Finalizes Rules for High Volume Breeders, Pet Shops, Dog Brokers (December 2022)
   
• OK Breeder Alert: Troublesome Regulations Proposed for State Licensees (December 2022)
   
• TX Regs Info: TDRL Proposes Updates to Inspection Rules (November 2022)
   
• AKC Comments on USDA APHIS Five-Year Strategic Framework (July 2022)
   
• USDA APHIS Announces It Will No Longer Use ‘Teachable Moments’ In Working With Breeders (July 2022)
   
• Breaking Regulatory Update: CDC Extends Import Restrictions, Allows More Imports (May 2022) 

• USDA APHIS 2021 Impact Report Released, Highlights Animal Welfare Successes (April 2022)

• Regs. Info: Arkansas Fish and Game Proposes Updates to General Hunting Regulations (April 2022)

• Texas Regulatory Info: Seats Available on Texas Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee (April 2022)

• CO Regulatory Info: PACFA Rules to Include Disclosure Requirements for Pet Stores, Other Licensees (March 2022)

• Ohio Regulations: Amendments to Rules Impacting High Volume Breeders, Pet Stores, and Dog Brokers Proposed (March 2022) 

• Regulatory Info: FDA Looking for Public Input on Antimicrobial Use Practices in Companion Animals (February 2022) 

• Texas Regulatory Info: Seats Available on Texas Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee (January 2022)

• NC Proposes Updated Regulations for Shelters, Boarding Kennels, Pet Shops, and Dealers (December 2021)

• AKC-Supported APHIS Rule Requiring Emergency Contingency Planning Finalized (December 2021) 

• Maine Info: State Agency Proposing Amendments to Regulations for Kennels, Shelters, Pet Stores (September 2021)

• USDA APHIS Establishes Online Application Process (September 2021) 

• Regulatory Info: USDA Develops Proposed Framework for Better Surveillance of and Responses to Emerging Zoonotic Diseases (August 2021) 

• USDA APHIS Info: Concerns over African Swine Fever Prompts Order Restricting Imports of Dogs for Resale (August 2021)

• Virginia: Proposed Wildlife Regulation Could Negatively Impact Field Trials (July 2021)

• CT Info: Ag. Dept. Amends Pending Rules for Animal Shelters, Other Regulated Entities (July 2021)

• Illinois Info: Amendments to State’s Animal Welfare Act Regulations Proposed (July 2021)

• Colorado Regulatory Info: New Education Requirements Proposed for PACFA and Breeder Licensees  (July 2021)

• AKC Supports USDA APHIS Proposed Rule Requiring Emergency Contingency Planning (July 2021)

• USDA Proposed Rule Reinstates Emergency Planning Mandate for Licensees (June 2021)

• Breaking News: CDC To Suspend Importation of Dogs from Countries Classified as High Risk for Rabies (June 2021)

• USDA APHIS 2020 Impact Report Highlights Agency Successes (March 2021)

• Connecticut Finalizes Rules on Animal Shelters, Other Regulated Entities (February 2021)

• USDA APHIS Removes Guidance that Allowed Licensees to Self-Report Noncompliance (February 2021)

• Maine Executive Order Reinstates Dog Licensing Requirements (February 2021)

• Texas Update: Licensed Breeder Rules Updated to Comply with 2019 Legislation (February 2021)

• USDA APHIS Posts Annual Enforcement Data (January 2021)

• Breaking News: U.S. Dept. of Transportation Revises Airline Service Animals Rules (December 2020)

• Regular Review of Texas’ Dog or Cat Breeders Rules to be Conducted (November 2020)

• Montana Seeks to Update Field Trial and Bird Dog Training Regulations (November 2020)

• Washington: Fish and Wildlife Proposes Rules to Create Nonlethal Enforcement Program Using Canines (November 2020)

• Texas Info: Legislature Required Updates to State-Licensed Dog Breeders Rules Proposed (October 2020)

• TX Update: Sunset Commission Still Accepting Comments on Elimination of Ineffective and Costly Licensed Breeders Program (September 2020)

• Minnesota Regulatory Info: Board of Animal Health Creates New Dog Import Regulations to Help Prevent African Swine Fever (September 2020)

• Updated USDA Compliance Database, Public Search Tool to Launch in September (August 2020)

• AKC Comments on Texas Sunset Advisory Commission’s Recommendation to Eliminate Licensed Breeders Program  (August 2020)

• ​TX Action Alert: Contact Sunset Commission, Urge Adoption of Recommendation to Eliminate Ineffective and Costly Licensed Breeders Program. (August 2020)

• New APHIS Website for Animal Welfare Act Licensing Rule Changes Launched (July 2020)

• USDA APHIS Updates Plans for Resumption of Inspections During Pandemic (July 2020)

• Wisconsin Regulations Info: Ag. Department Seeking Fee Increases for Licensed Dog Sellers (July 2020)

• Comments by the American Kennel Club on Connecticut's Proposed Regulations for Kennels, Pet Shops, Grooming Facilities, Training Facilities, Animal Importers, and Animal Shelters. (June 2020)

• Texas Heads-Up: State Breeder Licensing Targeted for Elimination, Expect Opposition (June 2020)

• USDA-APHIS Update: Overview of New Animal Care Rules (May 2020)

• USDA APHIS Announces Updates To Animal Welfare Act Regulations Impacting USDA Breeder Licensees (May 2020)

• Connecticut: Support Proposed Regulations that Will Regulate Animal Shelters, Other Facilities (May 2020)

• APHIS Animal Care Provides Update on Plans for Post-COVID-19 Inspections (May 2020)

• NC Update: Wildlife Management to Recommend Commission Not Move Forward with Emergency Rule (May 2020)

• RI: Proposed Amendments to Rules for Dogs Temporarily Imported for Shows Address AKC, Clubs Concerns (April 2020)

• North Carolina: State Extends Comment Period on New Rabbit Enclosure Regulations (April 2020)

• AKC Comments on U.S. Department of Transportation Proposal to Redefine “Service Animal” (April 2020)

• North Carolina Info: Wildlife Resources Commission Proposes Amendments to Dog Training and Field Trials Rule (April 2020)

• USDA APHIS Updates Inspections Protocols During COVID-19 Pandemic (March 2020)

• TSA Provides Guidance on Explosive Detection Canines (March 2020)

• APHIS Adopts New Rules Regarding the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (March 2020)

• U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes New Rules to Define Service Dogs for the Purpose of Air Travel (January 2020)

• Proposed Regulations to Clarify Requirements for Out-of-State Dogs Entering Rhode Island for Shows (January 2020)

• Federal Update: Congress Passes Appropriations Bill With Directive To Publish Personally-Identifiable Data of USDA Breeder Licensees (December 2019)

• AKC’s Comments to USDA Regarding Modified Records Policy  (December 2019)

• USDA APHIS To Modify Records Policy (October 2019)

• Updated Iowa Info: New Animal Welfare Regulations Proposed, Public Comment Sought (October 2019)

• Iowa: New Animal Welfare Regulations Proposed, Public Comment Sought (October 2019)

• New Hunting Regulations Issued by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (September 2019)

• AKC Concerned with Assumptions Contained in USDA Report on Dog Importation (August 2019)

• USDA APHIS Releases 2018 Impact Report (August 2019)

• U.S. Department of Transportation Clarifies the Use of Emotional Support Animals on Flights (August 2019)

• PA - Temporary Designation of Canine Brucellosis as Dangerous Transmissible Disease Reissued (July 2019)

• AKC Comments on Proposed Updates to Federal Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements (June 2019)

• Update: Proposed Changes to USDA Pet Breeder/Dealer Licensing Requirements: Now Due June 5  (May 2019)

• Effective Immediately: Importation of Dogs from Egypt to the U.S. Suspended (May 2019)

• Update: Massachusetts Attempts to Regulate Shelters & Rescue Organizations  (May 2019)

• USDA Updates: Online Licensing Tool Introduced; Proposed Rule Comment Period Open Through May 21  (April 2019)

• Massachusetts Residents: New Regulations for Rescues, Pet Stores Proposed – Share Your Thoughts  (April 2019)

• USDA Seeking Public Comments on Updated Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements  (March 2019)

• AKC Urges Ohio Department of Agriculture to Cease New, Overly-Broad Interpretation of “Pet Store” Definition  (February 2019)

• National Association of Biomedical Research Files Complaint with U.S. Department of Transportation  (September 2018)

• USDA Animal Care Division Presents Initiative To Strengthen Relationships With Licensees’ Attending Veterinarians  (August 2018)

• New USDA Rule Broadens Thresholds for De Minimis Activity and Exemptions From AWA Licensing  (June 2018)

• Victory! USDA Will Not Recognize Third-Party Inspections and Certifications  (May 2018)

• USDA: What You Need to Know When Importing Dogs Into The United States  (February 2018)

• APHIS Launches Webpage for Frequently Requested Records  (February 2018)

• Update: USDA Publishes Request For Public Input on Third-Party Inspections  (January 2018)

• USDA Seeks Public Input on Recognizing Third Party Inspections  (December 2017)

• AKC SUBMITS FEEDBACK TO USDA APHIS ON POTENTIAL ANIMAL WELFARE ACT LICENSING CHANGES  (October 2017)

• USDA APHIS EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD  (October 2017)

• Reminder: USDA-APHIS Seeks Public Input on Potential Changes to AWA Licensing Requirements  (September 2017)

• USDA-APHIS Seeks Public Input on Potential Changes to AWA Licensing Requirements  (August 2017)

• USDA Updates Public Search Tool  (August 2017)

• USDA Announces Updates to Inspection Guide  (June 2017)

• USDA Releases Updated Animal Welfare Act Regulations Booklet  (April 2017)

• USDA APHIS Updates Website with Additional AWA Registrant Information  (February 2017)

• APHIS Posts Additional Information Regarding Website Updates Involving AWA Licensee Information  (February 2017)

• APHIS Updates Policies on Public Information  (February 2017)