Fwd: US Congress Update: House Farm Bill Floor Vote Expected Next Week – Take Action to Protect Responsible Dog Ownership
Kelly Curry
Begin forwarded message:
From: AKC Government Relations <dog...@akc.org>
Date: April 17, 2026 at 8:54:33 AM CDT
To: Kelly Curry <newday...@gmail.com>
Subject: US Congress Update: House Farm Bill Floor Vote Expected Next Week – Take Action to Protect Responsible Dog Ownership
April 17, 2026
Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate amendments and vote on final passage of the Farm Bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” the week of April 27.
In our previous Farm Bill alert to AKC constituents, we reported that an amendment mirroring the Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) was adopted during the House Agriculture Committee’s markup over the objections of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and several other committee members. That amendment could have restricted or effectively banned widely accepted dog training and event practices used in certain field trials, performance events, lawful hunting with dogs, and other standard training methods employed by responsible dog owners and handlers.
Thanks to the strong response from AKC advocates and sportsmen’s groups—and the leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson—the Rules Committee Print of the Farm Bill released yesterday removes the problematic Greyhound Protection Act provisions.
Importantly, the current version of the Farm Bill also retains provisions in Title XII supported by the AKC that help ensure only healthy dogs are imported into the United States, promote canine health, and protect the rights of responsible dog breeders and owners.
However, the fight is not over. Animal rights activists may attempt to offer amendments on the House floor that would reinsert Greyhound Protection Act language or advance other provisions that could threaten common dog training practices, competitions, hunting with dogs, or impose additional restrictions on licensed dog breeders and responsible dog owners.
AKC urges all dog owners, breeders, sportsmen, and enthusiasts to take action now.
Please contact your U.S. Representative and respectfully urge them to:
- Support the Rules Committee Print of Title XII of the Farm Bill, and
- Oppose any floor amendment promoted by animal rights activists that would restrict responsible dog ownership, breeding, lawful dog training practices, competitions, or hunting with dogs.
Your voice has been heard by lawmakers – but your involvement remains crucial to ensuring that federal policy continues to support responsible dog owners 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 member of Congress.
Tell them:
- You are a voting constituent (including city/town you live in) and a responsible dog enthusiast.
- Respectfully ask them to support passage of the House Rules Committee Print of Title XII of the Farm Bill,
- Respectfully ask them to oppose any amendments that seek to reinsert onerous provisions from the Greyhound Protection Act (HR 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/Background:
There are many positive measures to support in current House Farm Bill. Title 12 of the Farm Bill contains the following important positive provisions:
- 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.
- 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.
There are also Problematic Potential Amendments That Should be Opposed
- 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
- Language in the “Better CARE for Animals” Act (H.R. 3112/S. 1538) 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 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.
Questions? Contact AKC GR at dog...@akc.org or 919-816-3720.
Learn more about AKC Events that could be affected:
THANK YOU for your partnership and commitment to a better world for purpose-bred dogs and responsible dog ownership!
Erin Braddon
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Daniel Wall
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