The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC) is dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, promoting responsible dog ownership and ensuring that laws governing dog ownership and breeding are reasonable, enforceable and non-discriminatory. We work closely with the AKC Government Relations Department (GR) which leads the AKC’s legislative efforts and identifies its goals as “working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership” (AKC Mission Statement.) GR further identifies its mission as educating and informing responsible dog owners and breeders about the issues that impact them as well as monitoring and positively impacting legislation that affect them.
The NJFDC recognizes that advocacy works best when those who are directly affected by legislation take the lead in working with policymakers. Success in canine legislation requires involvement by those who will be affected by policy changes. The NJFDC does request the assistance of professionals when possible.
The NJFDC encourages all dog owners to know, understand, and follow the laws of their jurisdictions. The NJFDC cannot provide legal advice or advocate on behalf of individuals. The NJFDC supports strong enforcement of the federal animal welfare act.
Government Relations
With 125 years of experience in the study and welfare of dogs, the AKC is a leading expert on dog ownership, care, well-being and public policy issues that pertain to dog ownership. The NJFDC looks to them for guidance and assistance in this. NJFDC provides a variety of services in the area of government relations, including:
NJFDC government relations activities include:
- Tracking and reviewing legislation for potential impact on fanciers and the general dog-owning public.
- Developing and sending materials and statements of opposition or support as necessary to local, county and state officials in order to ensure that legislation dealing with dogs is reasonable, enforceable and non-discriminatory.
- Working directly with individuals, clubs and other allied groups to assist and empower them in developing and implementing strategies to advocate for the rights of responsible dog-owners and breeders, and to train trainers about issues in canine legislation, lobbying and other advocacy techniques.
- Providing issue-based policy expertise including policy briefs, model legislation/sample laws, and alternate language to policymakers, clubs and individuals involved in the development of canine policy.
- Through the AKC PAC, the NJFDC provides support to candidates for federal or state legislative office who support reasonable enforceable laws that protect the health and welfare of dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.
- Through the AKC, provides recognition to the State’s top legislator with the AKC Legislator of the Year Award.
“NJFDC is dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners and ensuring that laws governing dog ownership and breeding are reasonable, enforceable, and nondiscriminatory.”