We have heard from a number of vets, through our students and membership, about the increase in the current dog influenza type virus.  According to these sources the virus is caused by a new influenza virus variant and their recommendation is that “your dog maintain a current vaccination for canine influenza particularly if they regularly socialize with other dogs or go to dog parks, daycare or boarding.” These e-mails to various client bases also state that "many of the dogs that have come in with this disease have reportedly been vaccinated for both Bordetella and Canine Influenza".

How is that affecting the club so far?  We have had a few students that have missed one or more nights of class due to some form of “kennel cough”.  So far, no one else in those classes had any symptoms.  We routinely advise against having dogs come to class and play or interact with the other dogs directly as that makes the other dogs more interesting than the owner trying to get their dog’s attention for training.  For this reason, direct nose to nose, close contact interaction is not normally a part of our classes.  Direct interaction is the common mode of transmission for this respiratory disease. 

Currently the club requires all dogs to be current on the normal vaccinations.  Due to COVID restrictions we have already reduced some contact vectors by not allowing use of the club dog crates, requiring students to bring their own crates when needed, and reducing class size.  We had considered, relaxing these restrictions and possibly allowing a small increase in class size due to COVID status for our county moving to a less restrictive tier but in light of the current increase in influenza type illnesses in dogs we will continue with existing COVID restrictions which will also serve to keep our classes safer for the dogs.

Social distancing for the dogs (which includes bringing your own water dishes and water as needed to limit transmission between dogs) seems to be in order during this period of increased influenza type illness in dogs.  

A committee hearing has been scheduled for AB 702 on Tuesday, April 27. The AKC is actively working to fight this legislation and is asking for clubs and individuals to contact the committee members to express concerns and opposition to the bill before the hearing date. You can find a list of talking points, a list of the committee members and their contact info, as well as online contact forms at the link below. Please take a moment to read through the updated alert and voice your concerns. 

https://www.akcgr.org/

Click this link and scroll down to find the post titled "California: Breeder Permits Bill AB 702 Set for April 27 Hearing – Contact the Committee Today!"

Please take a moment to read through the recent legislative alert sent out by the AKC. Assembly Bill 702 has been scheduled for a hearing on March 19, 2021. This bill would require anyone who owns an intact dog or cat to obtain a breeding permit from their local jurisdiction. This bill would be incredibly detrimental not only to hobby breeders, but anyone involved in purebred dogs, dog shows, performance events, or anyone who choses to keep their pet unaltered for health reasons. Click the link below to read the brief on Assembly Bill 702 provided by the AKC, along with who to contact to show your concerns and some suggested talking points. 

https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/california-bill-seeks-regulate-dog-breeders/

The AKC has posted a legislative alert for a bill that is currently in the US Senate. This bill would create new mandates for breeders and is especially concerning because to a non-expert, it all sounds great. Animal rights activists have been pressuring lawmakers to back the bill and it has been gaining quite a lot of traction. The AKC is urging its community to contact our leaders to express our concern and disagreement with the proposed legislation. Please click the link below to read more about it and to find out what you can do to help.

https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/us-congress-problematic-breeder-mandates-bill-introduced-senate/