The AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2012 Legislative Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include:

Federal Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWA) – The Animal Care division of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released for public comment proposed revisions to the federal animal welfare act that would change the definition of “retail pet store” in the AWA such that any dog breeder who sells pets to customers who come to their home or kennels to purchase the animals would be exempt from federal licensing and regulations. The proposal would also require those who maintain more than 4 “breeding females” and who sell pets sight unseen (e.g. over the Internet) to be licensed and regulated by the USDA as commercial breeders. The public has 60 days to submit comments to APHIS. For more information, view an APHIS fact sheet, a copy of the proposed rule and AKC’s information alert.

U.S. Congress – H.R. 835 / S. 707, known as the “Puppy Uniform Protection & Safety Act” (PUPS), would require anyone who owns or co-owns female dogs that produce 50 or more puppies that are sold in a 12-month period to be regulated under USDA dog dealer regulations. Anyone meeting that criteria would be required to obtain an annual USDA license, maintain standards of care designed for commercial breeding facilities, and undergo regular inspections at least biennially. AKC GR has expressed a number of concerns with other provisions in the measure, including the definition of “breeding female” as an intact female of four months or older. The bills have been assigned to their chamber’s agriculture committees. Neither bill has been scheduled for a hearing. Informational updates are available online, along with links to AKC’s letters to Congress and other information. AKC GR, along with the AKC’s federal advocate, are monitoring all activity relating to this measure and actively pushing back against attempts to move the bill forward as written. Read AKC’s latest information update.

2012 Farm Bill – The Senate Agriculture committee has begun consideration of the 2012 Agricultural Authorization bill (known as the “farm bill”). Past versions of this quinquennial (every five years), must-pass legislation have included significant changes to portions of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) pertaining to dog breeder/dealer regulations. AKC GR and our federal advocates are monitoring possible attempts to attach PUPS legislation or similar amendments to the Farm Bill as it moves through Congress.