What is NJFDC?
Founded over 50 years ago, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc, is a not for profit statewide organization devoted to the promotion and welfare of dogs. The Federation now includes nearly every all-breed club in New Jersey and many breed and performance clubs as well. It also offers individual memberships to fanciers not associated with clubs or those who want to support the Federation personally as well as through their clubs. The Federation is governed by officers and board members elected from the membership.
Over the decades, the Federation has necessarily shifted focus to meet the changing needs of the dog fancy, but the underlying premise remains the same: to advance the best interests of purebred dogs, the welfare of all dogs, through educating the public and law makers on responsible dog ownership, through information and education, disaster relief, and awards an annual veterinary school scholarship.
WHAT WE DO
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:
- 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, recognizes the State’s top legislator with the AKC Legislative of the Year Award.
FOR DOG OWNERS
- Provides hands-on breed education through participation in Meet the Breed Events
- Promotes responsible dog ownership, encouraging participation in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program
- Works to expand the human canine bond through training and participation in dog sports
- Tracking and reviewing legislation for potential impact on fanciers and the general dog-owning public.
FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS
- Works with local officials to sponsor microchip clinics held in coordination with town-sponsored rabies clinics
- Works with local and county officials on disaster response plans
- To promote dog-friendly communities
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
- Offers a scholarship to New Jersey resident pursuing a career in veterinary sciences
- Through the AKC, recognizes the State’s top legislator with the AKC Legislator of the Year Award
