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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 18, 2012
Contact: AKC Communications
Phone: 212-696-8228
Email: communications@akc.org
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB ENHANCES CARE AND CONDITIONS OF DOGS POLICY
-- Enhanced Guidelines and New Format Provide Best Practices For All
Responsible Dog Owners –
New York, NY – As the only purebred dog registry in the country with an
ongoing kennel inspection program, the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is proud
to announce recent enhancements to its Care and Conditions of Dogs policy.
Since 2000, AKC has conducted more than 55,000 inspections based on its care
and conditions policy, which is at the core of its inspections program, as
well as record-keeping and dog identification. The AKC Board of Directors
voted unanimously at its April meeting to implement the new enhanced policy
with an effective date of June 1, 2012.
“In our leadership role as experts on maintaining and keeping of dogs since
1884, we are uniquely placed to provide American dog and kennel owners with
guidelines detailing best practices that embody responsible dog ownership
regardless of the number of dogs owned,” said AKC’s Director of Compliance
Support Jack Norton. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of our
registry and ensuring that all AKC dogs are cared for in a humane way. Our
policies embody AKC’s mission to promote responsible dog ownership.”
Since 1990, an additional AKC policy has provided that when inspectors find
substandard kennel conditions and /or dogs in imminent danger, it will be
reported immediately to the proper federal, state or local authorities.
The policy has been reformatted into an easy-to-understand framework for
responsible dog ownership including: Care of Dogs, Kennels and Housing and
Operations. Anyone, from a single dog owner to a large kennel manager, can
follow these enhanced guidelines, to ensure best practices of keeping and
maintaining dogs. In addition, as the cornerstone of the AKC Inspections
program, each time an inspector conducts an inspection they will have the
opportunity to educate and communicate this policy to owners and breeders.
Enhanced guidelines include:
• The importance of daily positive human interaction and socialization for
dogs • Sufficient number of staff must be provided to carry out appropriate
levels of care and conditions for the number of dogs kept • Each kennel
should maintain an emergency preparedness plan adequate for the type of
facility owned and breed(s) of dogs maintained there • When euthanasia is
necessary, it should always be performed humanely
AKC’s Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy (effective June 1, 2012)
The Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy, effective June 1, 2012, reflects the
American Kennel Club’s values in promoting the responsible ownership and
maintenance of dogs. These guidelines are meant as a basis for helping
individuals ensure that dog care practices are performed and housing
facilities are maintained in a safe, humane and responsible manner. The
guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive or definitive, but rather
are intended to serve as a working basic outline that can be expanded and
refined as needed while lending uniform application of this policy. In
addition to guidelines set forth in this policy, individuals are expected to
comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
regarding the ownership and maintenance of dogs.
A. Care of Dogs
1. Dogs should have access on a daily basis for play and exercise.
2. Dogs must have access to fresh water as appropriate.
3. Dogs must have access to fresh food provided at appropriate intervals to
maintain a healthy weight.
4. Appropriate health care, including routine and preventative care, must be
provided for all dogs.
5. Dogs should be provided with daily positive human contact and
socialization.
6. Each dog should have its overall health and behavior assessed daily. Any
deviation in health condition must be addressed expeditiously and
appropriately.
7. Dogs should be free from internal and external parasites.
8. Dogs should be afforded regular grooming to ensure health and comfort.
9. When euthanasia is necessary, it must always be performed humanely.
B. Kennels and Housing
1. The primary enclosure must be large enough so the dog(s) can sit, stand,
lie down, or turn around comfortably, with no overcrowding.
2. The primary enclosure shall be constructed and maintained so that dogs
are securely confined and does not cause injury to the dogs.
3. Protection from adverse or extreme weather conditions must be provided.
4. While flooring that provides solid footing is preferred, if wire is used
as flooring of a primary enclosure, it should be comprised of a material
featuring a protective coating, be of an appropriate size to prevent injury
(especially to feet), and must be kept in good repair. If wire is used, a
solid platform of sufficient size should be provided to allow the dog(s) to
attain solid footing and to offer a space for resting.
5. Facilities must be lighted to provide a regular lighting cycle for the
dogs.
6. Bedding material made available to dogs should be clean and not pose a
risk to the dogs.
C. Operations
1. A sufficient number of staff must be provided to carry out appropriate
levels of care and conditions for the number of dogs kept.
2. Facility and primary enclosures should be clean, free from debris and
odor, and feces should be picked up and disposed of as frequently as
necessary so as not to pose a threat to the health of the dog(s).
3. Each kennel should maintain an emergency preparedness plan adequate for
the type of facility owned and breed(s) of dogs maintained therein.
The above is in addition to the policy adopted at the July 1990 Board
meeting to notify federal, state or local agencies of unsanitary and/or
unhealthy conditions found by AKC Inspectors during inspection of kennels;
that the US Department of Agriculture (APHIS) will be notified when such
conditions prevail at kennels regulated by that department under the
provisions of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act; and that other state/local
governmental or humane agencies will be notified when such conditions are
observed at kennels not regulated by federal law.
In instances when dog(s) are found in conditions that place them in
immediate danger, the Inspector will immediately notify agencies with
jurisdiction regarding the danger to the dogs.
During the course of an inspection, if an AKC Inspector determines that an
individual is not maintaining his/her dogs or facility in a manner that is
compliant with the AKC’s Care and Conditions Policy, the individual’s AKC
privileges may be placed on temporary referral. The individual will be
notified, in writing, of specific deficiencies and what steps need to be
taken to come into compliance with the Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy.
The individual shall be given 45 days to correct deficiencies and request a
re-inspection. In cases where deficiencies are not corrected or
re-inspections are not requested, the AKC may proceed with disciplinary
action leading to suspension of all AKC privileges.
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The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, 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 nearly
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 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered
purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including
conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing,
coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC
organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC
Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. 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.
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