To view this mail in a browser, copy http://links.mkt2242.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MjgxNjgxMwS2&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0 into your browser. Taking Command A Publication of the AKC Government Relations Department
December 2009
Director’s Letter Welcome to our 2009 legislative wrap-up issue. This year has been our busiest ever in both fighting bad legislation and providing new services for AKC constituents.
Although the role of AKC’s Government Relations Department is primarily educational and informational, in 2009 AKC GR monitored and took action on over 870 state bills and 100 local initiatives and conducted 15 legislative training sessions throughout the country. We are pleased to report significant success on state and local issues in which we were involved. A large portion of this success is due to the dedication of our state federations, legislative liaisons, and ordinary club members who made personal sacrifices to lobby their representatives on these important issues. Read about the GR department: http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=35&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0
AKC GR also developed a number of new tools this year to help you stay informed on issues in Congress as well as your state and local community:
Newly re-launched Taking Command. Thank you for your positive response to the re-establishment of this newsletter. Your comments/suggestions are always welcome. http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=25&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0
New In Session newsletter. This Congressional Newsletter has elicited a very positive response from legislators and constituents alike. In the coming year, distribution will be expanded from federal legislators only to include state legislators throughout the country. http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=10&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0
New legislative tracking system designed to help you track bills in your state and U.S. Congress that affect you. http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=3&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0
This issue provides our year-end wrap-up which includes detailed accounts and summaries of the year in canine legislation. Some of our most significant battles involved mandatory spay/neuter proposals, breed bans, onerous consumer protection requirements, and breeder and kennel regulations. In this issue, we’re also pleased to report significant success in educating legislators on these issues this year, but the fight is far from over. Our January 2010 issue will unveil new tools and resources designed to help you be an effective advocate for responsible dog owner rights. Read the wrap-up here: http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=11&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0
As the year draws to a close, I thank you all for your efforts and dedication to preserving the future of responsible ownership and breeding. If your club or group has not already done so, I urge you to appoint a legislative liaison http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=33&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0 and/or form a state federation http://links.mkt2242.com/ctt?kn=19&m=2816813&r=MTUyMzYxMzgxOTQS1&b=2&j=ODEwMzAwNjIS1&mt=1&rt=0 so that together we can work for bright future for the dogs we love.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, and all the best in the new year,
Sheila Goffe Director of Government Relations