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AKC Board Meeting Minutes

American Kennel Club Board Motions, Actions as recorded by Secretary

Current Meeting held at 101 Park Avenue, New York, NY - July 13-14, 2026

(See Minutes In Their Entirety Below) or Click to see current AKC Suspensions

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Wording is as presented in the Minutes/Secretary's Page, provided by AKC Secretary Sheila Goffe.

The Board convened on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8:40 a.m. Eastern Time. Present in the New York Office: Dr. Thomas Davies (Chairman), Dr. Michael Knight (Vice Chairman), Ms. Gina DiNardo (President & CEO), Sheila Goffe (Executive Secretary) and Theodore Phillips (Chief Financial Officer), Dr. Carmen Battaglia, Ms. Sue Goldberg, Ms. Sally Fineburg, Mr. Eduardo Fugiwara, Dr. Charles Garvin, Mr. Steven Hamblin, Mr. Jason Hoke, Mr. Dan Smyth, and Mr. Robin Stansell. Mr. Dominic Carota joined via video conference. Absent: Ms. Sylvia Thomas.

Copies of the May 11-12, 2026 Board Meeting minutes had previously been provided to all Directors for review. Upon a motion by Dr. Garvin, and seconded by Ms. Fineburg, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to approve the May 2026 Board Meeting minutes.

Dogs in Closed Vehicles at AKC Events - Tim Thomas, VP of Conformation, and Bri Tesarz, Director of Compliance & Inspections, joined this portion of the meeting by video conference. Heather McManus, VP & General Counsel, and Brandi Hunter Munden, VP of Public Relations and Communications, joined this portion of the meeting.

     Every year, dogs die after cooling or monitoring systems unexpectedly fail. The consequences can be catastrophic within minutes. There have been recent, avoidable dog deaths in enclosed, unattended and unventilated vehicles where the air-conditioning failed.

     The AKC Show Manual includes a copy of a memorandum sent to all clubs in 1999 concerning the dangers associated with dogs confined in vehicles at AKC events. This followed the Board’s approval of a notice of “Waiver of Rights” that may be included in premium lists to give the club the ability to rescue dogs in unventilated vehicles. AKC also produced the warning flyer: Leaving Your Dog in a Hot Car that most may be familiar with, with the intention that clubs may reproduce and distribute it to warn exhibitors about the dangers of leaving a dog in a car. These warnings apply to dogs left in any unventilated vehicle, including vehicles left running with air conditioning on or equipped with air-conditioning units powered by an external generator or outlet. Tragedy has also occurred when additional external temperature monitors and alarms have failed.

     Staff recently met to discuss incidents in which dogs were lost, or where tragedy was narrowly avoided due to dogs being left unattended in closed/insufficiently ventilated vehicles, and measures to prevent future incidents, including expanded education and communication to clubs and exhibitors regarding proper dog care in extreme conditions.

     Staff presented the following new proposed policy to prevent dogs from dying or suffering heat related injury while left in vehicles. It is not a ban on leaving dogs in vehicles, but a reminder to exhibitors to ensure that their vehicle is properly ventilated and dogs are checked on frequently. Likewise, the policy is not a ban on air-conditioned vehicles, generators, fans, temperature monitors, or remote alert systems: It is a reminder technology and equipment can fail without warning due to mechanical problems, power loss, software issues, fuel depletion, weather conditions, or loss of cellular service.

     The policy is designed to make it clear that the responsibility for a dog's safety always rests with the person caring for that dog – not with the equipment. It also 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.

Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy - Dogs shall not be left unattended in a vehicle that is fully enclosed or without sufficient ventilation or airflow from the outside environment. A vehicle containing unattended dogs must provide continuous ventilation and conditions reasonably sufficient to protect the dogs from heat-related injury, illness, distress, or death. The presence of fans, air-circulation devices, climate-control systems, temperature-monitoring systems, remote alerts, or other electronic monitoring technology shall not, by itself, establish that a vehicle provides adequate ventilation or a safe environment for unattended dogs.

     Leaving dogs unattended in a vehicle that is fully enclosed or without sufficient ventilation is recognized to be conduct prejudicial to the best interest of purebred dogs, the sport of purebred dogs and the American Kennel Club. Accordingly, individuals who engage in conduct which constitutes a violation of this policy may be subject to discipline pursuant to AKC’s Charter and Bylaws.

     Upon a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Fineburg, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to waive standard procedure to vote on the recommendation immediately. Upon a motion by Dr. Garvin seconded by Ms. Fineburg, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to approve the new policy. The policy is effective immediately.

Changes to Handling Deceased Dogs at Events - AKC Staff has reviewed the AKC Discipline Guidelines and Dealing with Misconduct at American Kennel Club Events and recommend changes to address the handling of deceased dogs at AKC events.

     The modification to Dealing with Misconduct at American Kennel Club Events would require an Event Committee to conduct a hearing when a dog is seriously injured or dies in connection with an AKC event. Additionally, staff is requesting to add the offense “Violation of AKC’s Unattended Dogs in Vehicle Policy”, penalties, and footnote to the AKC Discipline Guidelines.

     I. Inappropriate Treatment of Animals

     m. Violation of AKC’s Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy¹

     Mitigated: 1 yr/$1,000 | Standard: 5 yr/$2,000 | Aggravated: Up to life/up to $10,000

    ¹ For purposes of this provision, dogs shall not be left unattended in a vehicle that is fully enclosed or sealed from outside airflow. A vehicle containing unattended dogs must provide continuous ventilation and conditions reasonably sufficient to protect the dogs from heat-related injury, illness, distress, or death. The use of electronic monitoring devices, remote alerts, fans, or climate-control systems shall not constitute a defense to a violation of this provision.

    Upon a motion by Dr. Garvin, seconded by Ms. Fineburg, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to waive standard procedure to vote on the recommendation immediately. Upon a motion by Dr. Garvin seconded by Ms. Fineburg, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to approve the new policy. The new offense and changes to Dealing with Misconduct at American Kennel Club Events are effective July 29, 2026.

EXECUTIVE SESSION There were FOUR EXECUTIVE SESSIONS:

Three: to discuss sensitive business matters. Nothing was reported out of this session.

One: to discuss business matters.

Adjourned: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

Click for Full AKC July Board Minutes in PDF format (get Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Deceased Judges: Frank Fasano, Kim Griffith, Mrs. Grace Black, Mr. James Frederiksen, Mrs. Kathleen Steen, Mr. Calvin Ward

Emeritus: Ms. Leigh Ann Yandle

Resigned Judges: Debra A. Guerrero

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