It’s June, which means summer events are in full swing! Did you know that the American Kennel Club is comprised of more than 5,000 dog clubs across the country that together host more than 20,000 events each year? This results in a huge impact on our local economies. The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to introduce newly revised and updated AKC economic and community impact figures for all 50 states. Economic benefit statistics are based on surveys of exhibitors at AKC conformation events in 2021. The AKC Impact By State packet provides valuable information to share with lawmakers, local media, chambers of commerce and other community entities about the positive impact that AKC clubs, affiliates and events have in each and every state.
Easy-to-share one-page summaries have been updated to include a broad range of new information including:
- Economic impact of AKC dog shows
- The number of AKC dog clubs and shows by state
- AKC Reunite disaster relief trailer and K-9 Officer donations by state
- AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF) Research grants and dollars by state
This newly revised and expanded resource utilizes survey data of expenditures in local communities by dog show exhibitors in 2021. The updated survey revealed that each exhibitor spends approximately $863 in a local community during a dog show weekend.
Also, new in the Legislative Action Center, the AKC Government Relations has developed a new Tethering/Dogs Outdoors Key Issue page. On this page, you will find a variety of resources emphasizing that laws regulating tethering and dogs outdoors must allow for flexibility. This flexibility will allow dogs to enjoy activities in the weather they love, while still ensuring all dogs are protected. Resources include AKC’s position statements, handouts for lawmakers, talking points, and even a brief policy explainer video that’s great for sharing with lawmakers and also on your social media.
And finally, you may have heard the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially announced an extension and modification of the July 2021 temporary suspension of the importation of dogs from countries classified as high risk for canine rabies (CRVV). But what exactly does this mean for you? AKC GR has prepared a summary informational flowchart to help you understand some of the basic requirements for importing a dog from a high-risk country.
Read all these articles, plus AKC GR’s involvement in local lawmakers conferences, the latest webinar from the Detection Dog Taskforce, and understanding various court rulings that were released in the past month.
If you have questions or hear of an issue in your community, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at doglaw@akc.org. Thank you for your continued partnership.