Taking Command

A publication of the AKC Government Relations Department

Proposed Healthy Dog Importation Act Requirements Similar to Current Policies In Other Countries

In recent months, the AKC Government Relations team has received numerous questions about requirements for importing/exporting and traveling internationally with dogs.   

In July, recent incidents of rabid dogs being imported into the U.S. for rescue markets, combined with a shortage of customs staff to assess the health status of dogs coming into the U.S. caused the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to suspend import permission for dogs from over 110 countries.  In the case of the CDC’s action, the catalyst was an increase in animals from countries determined to be at high risk for the spread of the canine variant of rabies, a disease that was eliminated from the U.S. a generation ago. 

New in the Legislative Action Center: AKC Inspections Program Fact Sheet

When communicating with lawmakers, it is important to demonstrate the value and expertise of AKC and its clubs, and the AKC Legislative Action Center has a number of resources available to help.  

Most recently, AKC Government Relations has added a new fact sheet to the AKC Legislative Action Center Toolbox that provides some basic bullet points and information on the AKC Inspections Program. 

Jacob Hupp Will Represent AKC GR  in Texas, Central States Region  

The American Kennel Club Government Relations department is pleased  to welcome our newest staff member, Jacob Hupp. Jacob will serve as the Legislative Analyst/Community Outreach Coordinator for US Central States including Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  

No, A U.S. Federal District Court Did Not Classify Hippos as Legal Persons

Over the past few weeks, news stories reported a startling development in the ongoing policy debates about how animals should be classified under the law: That a U.S. federal district court ruled that some hippos that are the subject of an international case were persons under the law.  Guess what:  Those headlines were sourced from an advocacy blog published by the animal rights group Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which seriously misconstrued the nature of the court’s action.   

AKC Solicits Nero’s Law Support at Dedication of Gannon K-9 and Police Training Center

On Saturday, October 23, Massachusetts State Representative Steven Xiarhos (Sandwich), House sponsor of HB 2547, “Nero’s Law”, together with Police Chief Frank Fredrickson and Yarmouth Board of Selectmen dedicated the newly built K-9 and police officer training center in the name of Sgt. Sean Gannon.  

The training center is located behind the Yarmouth Police Department as a memorial to Sgt. Gannon, who lost his life while serving an arrest warrant in 2018.  During the incident, his police K-9 Nero suffered career ending injuries. The Cape Cod Times published an article covering the community celebration where Denise and Patrick Gannon noted sincere appreciation that their son would not be forgotten. 

Pets Flying Cargo (Domestic) 2021

Whether you are competing in a show or taking a vacation with your pet, sometimes flying is the most efficient option. But did you know that depending on which airline you take, the policies you must follow could differ drastically, especially in the COVID-19 era? Don’t get caught unprepared. If you are flying with a pet it is important that you plan ahead and familiarize yourself with your airline’s rules and regulations. 

AKC GR Educates on Advocacy, Community Involvement at Great Dane National Specialty

Last month, hundreds of Great Dane owners, exhibitors and breeders traveled to the South Carolina coast to celebrate their breed at the Great Dane Club of America National Specialty. 

As part of this week-long event, AKC Government Relations provided a seminar on how Great Dane clubs and owners could be effective advocates and make a big impact in their local community on behalf of the sport and their beloved large dogs