05/29/2026
Federal Update: US Senate May Consider the Farm Bill in June – Take Action to Protect Responsible Dog Ownership
Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends
Thanks to the strong response from AKC advocates and sportsmen’s groups—and the strong leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson—the House Farm bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” passed by the U.S. House contained positive provisions that support responsible breeding and dog ownership and no provisions that will cause harm.
Now the Farm Bill is moving to the Senate. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee is expected to release and mark up its version of the bill in June, and animal extremist organizations, determined to make it tougher to breed dogs or use them for their intended breed or purpose (including hunting, scent, sporting and detection work) are walking the halls of Congress, and proposing new restrictions that would harm responsible dog breeders.
Your action is urgently needed NOW to stop the animal-extremist supported proposals such as the Better CARE for Animals Act (S. 1538), Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437), and the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) from being attached to the Senate Farm Bill.
PLEASE ACT TODAY!
Even if your Senator(s) already shares these concerns, it is important that they hear from YOU, their constituents. Your individual contact makes a difference.
Easy ways to make a difference:
Call, email, Message or write to your U.S. Senators – A personalized call, voice mail, or message is more effective than a preformatted message. Click here to find our who your U.S. Senators are.
Please contact your U.S. Senator today and respectfully urge them to:
Support the positive animal enhancement provisions included in the House Farm Bill and
Oppose any Senate floor amendment promoted by animal rights activists that would restrict responsible dog ownership, breeding, lawful dog training practices, competitions, or hunting with dogs.
House lawmakers heard your voice– but your involvement remains crucial to ensuring that the Senate continues to support responsible dog breeding and ownership and the long-standing traditions of training, competing, and hunting with dogs.
It’s Easy to Make an Important Difference!
Click here to send a message directly to your Senators.
Tell them:
You are a voting constituent (including city/town you live in) and a responsible dog enthusiast.
Respectfully ask them to support the animal enhancement provisions included in the House-passed Farm Bill.
Respectfully ask them to oppose any amendments that seek to include onerous provisions of the Better CARE for Animals Act (S. 1538), Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437), the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) or that will restrict or ban traditional dog training methods and competition, responsible breeding and ownership of dogs.
Note that the Farm Bill is one of the most important and broadly supported pieces of legislation considered by Congress. It should not become the vehicle for language that disrupts lawful hunting traditions, events that showcase breed characteristics, responsible dog ownership, and established canine training practices nationwide.
More information:
Problematic Potential Amendments That Should be Opposed
Language in the “Better CARE for Animals” Act (S. 1538/H.R. 3112) would expand the power of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce any violation of the AWA and circumvent the USDA’s authority and the expertise of veterinarians and other animal experts at USDA to enforce animal care requirements. The so-called Better Care would also empower the DOJ to bypass USDA and file charges, including potentially criminal charges, seize animals and impose penalties regardless of whether USDA has determined or even alleged that there has been a violation of the AWA. USDA already has the demonstrated authority and ability to work with the DOJ on rare cases involving criminal conduct.
Language originally in Goldie’s Act (HR 349), redefines violations of the AWA to remove the distinction between minor non-compliances such as paperwork errors and animal care violations. AKC believes the goal should be zero non-compliances, but the health and wellbeing of animals should always remain the priority. Goldie’s Act also allows for immediate seizure or euthanasia without due process of any animal an inspector perceives to be suffering from “psychological harm” — a term it does not define.
One-Size-Fits all kennel engineering standards that undermine best care practices. Proposals from the Puppy Protection Act (S. 4437/H.R. 2254) included inflexible and arbitrary prohibitions on breeding a dog based on size and age; mandated full time “unfettered access to exercise area large enough to allow extension of full stride”, arbitrary temperature requirements, and other requirements that become problematic without flexibility to allow for individual animals’ needs and requirements.
Provisions in the “Greyhound Protection Act” (H.R. 5017) that would restrict and potentially eliminate common dog training and event practices for certain field trials, performance events, lawful hunting with dogs, and other widely accepted training methods used by responsible dog owners and handlers’ flexibility to allow for individual animals’ needs and requirements.
To learn more about AKC Events that could be affected: by the Greyhound Protection Act, please see:
Fast Cat
Barn Hunt
Earthdog 101
There are many positive measures included in Title 12 of the House passed Farm Bill that the Senate should support, such as:
Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA provides the basis for federal breeder licensing and oversight. AKC supports improved enforcement of AWA violations, including additional resources and reporting for USDA. In recent years, poor enforcement of breeder requirements has resulted in high-profile cases used by anti-breeder groups to undermine the reputation of the vast majority of caring, responsible breeders. Defunding of educational outreach, including teachable moments, have further undermined a cooperative approach to animal welfare and support of best practices.
Additional resources for USDA to better enforce the AWA and existing regulations requires a report to Congress on existing enforcement with recommendations on improving enforcement and enhancing educational programs and outreach.
Animal Care: Clarifies that visual dental examinations should be included in existing annual veterinary requirements.
Provides funding for transitional shelters for victims of domestic violence that allow victims to shelter with a pet. This measure reflects efforts privately supported by the AKC Humane Fund that ensure that concern for a pet left behind does not prevent a victim from seeking needed safety and shelter.
Increases resources for the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training programs to support the training of specially selected dogs (and their handlers) to identify invasive pests and diseases that threaten agriculture.
Responsible importation of healthy dogs: Expands USDA’s documentation requirements for pets entering the United States, providing a policy alternative for the current ban on the import of owned puppies under of 6 months of age that meet health requirements. This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 3349/S. 1725) by requiring electronic records documentation on dogs prior to their importation that confirms the dog is in good health; microchipped; has received all necessary vaccination and parasite treatment, demonstrated negative test results, and has a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian; and in the case of a dog intended for transfer, is at least 6 months old. Exceptions are provided for dogs that are personal pets of United States origin returning to the United States; United States military working dogs; for research purposes; or coming to the United States solely for veterinary treatment; among several others.
Questions? Contact AKC GR at [email protected] or 919-816-3720.
THANK YOU for your partnership and commitment to a better world for purpose-bred dogs and responsible dog ownership!
Take Action Now!
