NEW YORK, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel
Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world's
largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, lauds
the draft language released by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee
for the 2024 Farm Bill - the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2024. This must-pass bill reauthorizes U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) programs for five years and typically serves as
a vehicle to address federal priorities in the federal Animal
Welfare Act (AWA).
"We appreciate the tireless and bi-partisan efforts of House
Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson
and his staff in presenting a bill that not only supports U.S.
Agriculture needs, but also supports important priorities for dog
enthusiasts including canine health, welfare and the rights of
responsible dog owners," said Dennis B.
Sprung, AKC President and CEO.
Dog-related highlights of the bill's base text include:
- Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare
Act (AWA), including expanded resources for educational
outreach.
- Additional resources for USDA to better enforce the AWA,
including reporting to Congress on existing enforcement with
recommendations for improving enforcement.
- Animal Care requirements: Clarifications that visual dental
examination should be included in existing annual veterinary
requirements.
- Improves USDA response related to any dogs found in a state of
"unrelieved suffering" by requiring better and more timely
notification of state and local authorities if an inspector finds
that dogs are being kept in unacceptable conditions.
- Expands USDA's electronic health documentation requirements for
pets entering the United States.
This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 1184)
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
treatments, 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; and coming to the
United States solely for veterinary treatment; among several
others.
- 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.
- Codifies and provides permanent funding for USDA's National
Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan
Georgia, which trains specially selected dogs (and their
handlers) to identify invasive pests and diseases that threaten
U.S. agriculture. The measure, previously known as the "Beagle
Brigade Act" also grants authority to create additional training
facilities and an off-site training program.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 will be marked
up by the House Agriculture Committee on May
23. AKC and its millions of constituents urge the U.S. House
Agriculture Committee to advance these positive initiatives without
amendment.
About the American Kennel Club
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit
organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs
in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in
the United States. The AKC is
dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the
sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along
with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its
affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred
dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being,
works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes
responsible dog ownership. More than 26,000 competitions for
AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC
rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility,
obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound
events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.
Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC
Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, the AKC Museum of the Dog,
and the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank. For more information, visit
www.akc.org.
AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and
design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks,
registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel
Club, Inc.
Become a fan of the American Kennel Club on Facebook and follow
us on Instagram @americankennelclub
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SOURCE The American Kennel Club, Inc.