07/18/2026
AKC Board Communications Committee Clarification- Regarding Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy & Discipline Guidelines
Dear Delegates and all interested parties,
The AKC Board of Director's Communications Committee has compiled a set of bullet points that you may share with your Club Members and those concerned about the recent policy directive.
With the approval of the AKC Board of Directors we submit the following bullet points.
• This policy exists for one reason: to prevent dogs from dying or suffering heat-related injury while left in vehicles.
• This is a dog welfare policy - not a technology policy.
• The policy is not a ban on leaving dogs in vehicles. If you must leave your dogs in your vehicle, make sure your vehicle is properly ventilated and your dogs are checked on frequently.
• The policy is not a ban on air-conditioned vehicles, generators, fans, temperature monitors, or remote alert systems.
• Most exhibitors who responsibly use these systems will see no change in how they care for their dogs.
• Technology can reduce risk, but it cannot eliminate it. Equipment can fail without warning due to mechanical problems, power loss, software issues, fuel depletion, weather conditions, or loss of cellular service.
Dogs should not be left in vehicles without adequate ventilation and without adequate supervision.
• Every year, dogs die after cooling or monitoring systems unexpectedly fail. The consequences can be catastrophic within minutes. All recent dog deaths occurred in enclosed, unattended
and unventilated vehicles where the air-conditioning failed.
• The policy makes clear that the responsibility for a dog's safety always rests with the person caring for that dog - not with the equipment.
• AKC's goal is prevention, education, and accountability - not punishment.
• Responsible exhibitors who take reasonable precautions have nothing to fear from this policy.
• The policy gives AKC the ability to address situations where dogs are placed in obvious danger and to hold individuals accountable when preventable harm and death results.
• Protecting dogs protects the future of our sport and reinforces AKC's commitment to responsible dog ownership.
Thank You,
AKC Board of Director's Communications Committee
Ms. Sally Fineburg
Mr. Jason Hoke
Mr. Dominic Palleschi Carota
