By William Given

It was, by all accounts, a wonderful day. Our Penny had won Winners Bitch and BOS; it was her third major, and she earned her championship title. We were on our way home from the Nebraska Kennel Club dog show–and I do not believe we had gone ten miles when I looked at my wife and said, “I am so glad she finished today.” My wife’s response was, “I am so relieved.” I asked, “Why relieved?” She responded, “She is 3½ years old now; it has never taken you this long to finish a dog.” And, my wife was correct when she stated how much we had spent to accomplish our goal. We knew that our girl was correctly constructed, a superior mover, and possessed an outstanding temperament. She deserved to be a champion, and our every effort to show her until she earned it.

Here are a few things we did not immediately think about:

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226 – April, 2026

]]> https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/the-power-of-persistence-2/feed/ 0 https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/ny-state-senate-bill-aiming-to-assist-companion-owners-with-the-exorbitant-veterinary-costs/ https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/ny-state-senate-bill-aiming-to-assist-companion-owners-with-the-exorbitant-veterinary-costs/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:31 +0000 Liz https://caninechronicle.com/?p=355911

New York State Senate

Introducer’s Bill Number: S9808A

Sponsor: Fernandez

 

An Act To Amend The Tax Law, In Relation To Creating A Tax Credit For Certain Household Pet Expenses

Purpose Or General Idea Of Bill:

The Proposed Tax Credit Will Be Given To An Individual Household For A Maximum Credit Of $150 For Everyday Regular Expenses And Another Maximum Credit Of $300 For Medical Or Veterinary Expenses For A Maximum Of Two Pets. The Total Combined Maximum Credit Would Be $450 For One Pet Per Year And $900 For Two Pets Per Year.

 

Justification:

The Cost Of Veterinary Prices Has Risen By Over 60% Over The Past Year, And Pet Food Prices Rose 23% From 2020 To 2023. In 2022, The Average Cost Of Food In 2021 Was $310 For Cats And $339 For Dogs. The American Pet Products Association (Appa) Industry Trends Demonstrate That Pet Expenditures Are Continually Growing Each Year, From $123.6 Million In 2021 To An Estimated $150.6 Million In 2024. With Inflation And Unemployment On The Rise, Pet Owners Are Being Straddled With Costly Expenses In Caring For Their Pets, Often Going Into Debt.

View the Entire Bill Below:

                STATE OF NEW YORK

        ________________________________________________________________________

                                         9808–A

                    IN SENATE

                                      April 6, 2026

Introduced  by  Sens.  FERNANDEZ,  SEPULVEDA  –  read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Budget and  Revenue  — committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committe AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to creating a  tax  credit certain household pet expenses

The  People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

     1    Section 1. Section 606 of the tax law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new

     2  subsection (uuu) to read as follows:

     3    (uuu) Credit for certain household pet expenses. (1) General. An indi-

     4  vidual taxpayer shall be allowed a credit for taxable years beginning on

     5  or  after  the first of January next succeeding the date this subsection

     6  takes effect against the tax imposed by this article  for  the  cost  of

     7  owning  household pets. The amount of the credit shall be for the actual

     8  cost of pet ownership for up to two household pets, but shall not exceed

     9  the maximum credit of one hundred fifty dollars  for  everyday  expenses

    10  and  three hundred dollars for medical or veterinary expenses per house-

    11  hold pet per taxable year for a maximum total of  nine  hundred  dollars

    12  per taxable year.

    13    (2) Definitions. The terms:

    14    (a)  “household  pet”  shall  mean any dog or cat kept for the primary

    15  purpose of companionship that is normally  maintained  in  or  near  the

    16  household of the owner or person who cares for such domesticated animal,

    17  provided  that keeping such animal is not in violation of any applicable

    18  provisions of federal, state or local  law.  The  term  “household  pet”

    19  shall not mean:

    20    (i)  any  dog or cat confined to the premises of any public or private

    21  hospital devoted solely to the treatment of sick animals.

    22    (ii) any dog or cat confined for the purposes of research to the prem-

    23  ises of any college or other educational or research institution.

    24    (iii) any dog or cat confined to the premises of any person,  firm  or

    25  corporation  engaged  in  the  business  of breeding or raising dogs for

         EXPLANATION–Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                                   LBD04132-02-6

        S. 9808–A                          2

     1  profit and licensed as a class A dealer  under  the  Federal  Laboratory

     2  Animal Welfare Act.

     3    (iv)  any  “police  work  dog”  or  “detection  dog” as such terms are

     4  defined in section one hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law.

     5    (b) “actual cost of pet ownership” shall mean:

     6    (i) medical and veterinary expenses, which shall include, but  not  be

     7  limited  to,  annual  exams,  medications,  emergency care, and tests as

     8  deemed necessary by veterinarians; and

     9    (ii) everyday expenses which shall include, but  not  be  limited  to,

    10  food, crate, leashes, litter boxes, litter, harnesses, collars, grooming

    11  supplies, toys, and other items deemed essential for pet care-taking.

    12    (3)  Proof of claim. The commissioner may require a qualified taxpayer

    13  to furnish proof of ownership of the household pets  and  proof  of  the

    14  actual  cost of pet ownership in support of their claim for credit under

    15  this subsection.

    16    (4) When credit allowed. The credit provided for  in  this  subsection

    17  shall  be  allowed  with  respect  to the taxable year, commencing after

    18  taxable years beginning on or after the first of January next succeeding

    19  the date this subsection takes effect, in which the pet is owned.

    20    § 2. This act shall take effect immediately and  shall  apply  to  pet

    21  adoptions  in  taxable years beginning on and after the first of January

    22  next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

---

NEW YORK STATE SENATE
INTRODUCER’S MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
submitted in accordance with Senate Rule VI. Sec 1

BILL NUMBER: S9808A

SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to creating a tax credit for certain household pet expenses

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The proposed tax credit will be given to an individual household for a maximum credit of $150 for everyday regular expenses and another maximum credit of $300 for medical or veterinary expenses for a maximum of two pets. The total combined maximum credit would be $450 for one pet per year and $900 for two pets per year.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 606 of the tax law by adding a new subsection (qqq) to establish the parameters of the tax credit, state the eligibility date, and to provide definitions.

Section 2 sets the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

The cost of veterinary prices has risen over 60% over the past year, and pet food prices rose 23% from 2020 to 2023. In 2022, the average cost of food in 2021 was $310 for cats and $339 for dogs. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) industry trends demonstrate that pet expenditures are continually growing each year, from $123.6 million in 2021 to an estimated $150.6 million in 2024. With inflation and unemployment on the rise, pet owners are being straddled with costly expenses in caring for their pets- often going into debt.

The 2022 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook reported that an average of $326 was spent on annual veterinary care in 2021-bringing this expense close to 33% of total household spending on pets. A U.S.

News survey found that 76% of respondents went into debt to save their pet’s lives and 63% of respondents said veterinary bills are their biggest source of pet debt. Additional data showcases that in 2020, households with one cat averaged $248 on yearly veterinary care and households with two or more dogs averaged $391.  Given the hundreds of dollars spent for cat and dog expenses each year, a tax credit for cat and dog owners will provide much needed monetary relief.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New legislation.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to pet adoptions in taxable years beginning on and after the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

By Sandy Weaver

If you’re on your club’s show committee, you know hotels understand that allowing dogs is good for business–and believe that allowing dogs is potentially bad for their properties. They can be balky about how many dogs per room and the size of dogs they’ll allow, and it can be financially injurious to your exhibitors with those rising non-refundable deposits.

Those who show dogs know that it’s way more fun to stay in a hotel that not only allows dogs, but also welcomes them. Here’s how you and your dog-showing travel buddies can help more hotels not just tolerate show dogs but welcome them. (And if you’re on the show committee, read this all the way to the end–there’s something here just for you!)

1. Be a great guest. This should go without saying, and yet so many people treat hotel rooms and properties far worse than they’d treat their own homes. Being a great guest means bringing sheets or blankets to cover the hotel furniture that your dog will be allowed on, not using hotel towels, the sink, or the tub to wash your dogs, and putting plastic sheets under your crates in case of spills or accidents. You can use tablecloths from the Dollar Store. They work great and can either be folded for reuse or tossed when you’re packing for home.

Click here to read the complete article
212 – April, 2026

By Jessica Braatz

As someone who aged out of Juniors relatively recently, I’ve found myself drawn to the numbers. While rankings or total entries may first come to mind, my favorite statistic is actually lifetime wins, and even more so, the stories that those wins tell.

When you talk to past great juniors, the majority of them won’t tell you about their wins. They’ll tell you about the fierce competition they faced throughout their entire career–from large entries in the Novice classes, to extremely competitive Open Intermediate and Senior classes, all the way to Best Junior. To place was a good day, and to win was an honor. Those days, the entries of a single class would rival the total entries at a local show today. These previous Juniors have now gone on to campaign dogs at the highest level, and many are assets in the form of breeders, handlers, and assistants. They’ll tell you that they won 10, 20, or even 30 Best Juniors throughout their entire career. For most of them, they won’t come near the inflated numbers of today. Now, I regularly see Junior Handlers approaching “the hundred club,” a term I never would have even considered possible when I first started competing.

Even throughout my own time in Junior Showmanship, I watched as both competition and entries dwindled. I vividly remember watching the Open Senior class and Best Junior Handler at the Manatee Kennel Club show in Brooksville, Florida, when I was a Novice Junior. The juniors I watched battle it out became my icons; I wanted to be just like them. By the time I was their age, there was much less of a draw–and entry as a whole. Had we become the next generation for the youth to aspire to? Or had we all become a little more lax, with priorities shifting and judges becoming less enticing to compete under?

I want to revisit some of the past juniors whom I so admire. When asked about their time in Juniors, they describe it as a time of learning, a time of showing their puppies, new breeds, and a never-ending quest for knowledge. They raised their own dogs and pivoted to new projects when they became comfortable. Junior Showmanship was practice and preparation for careers in dogs. It was not an opportunity for a “junior’s career.”

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208 – April, 2026

Daniel J. Smyth, Esq. Delegate of the Burlington County Kennel Club, has been elected Chairman of the Board. Ann Wallin, Delegate of the Atlanta Kennel Club, Inc., was re-elected Vice Chair.

In addition, Sally Fineburg, Delegate of the Hatboro Dog Club, Inc., was elected to the Board of Directors.

Tom Sharp was re-elected as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Theodore Phillips was re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer.

AKC Reunite remains dedicated to helping lost pets find their way home through innovative recovery services, disaster relief efforts, and support for pet-friendly initiatives nationwide.

For more information about AKC Reunite, visit www.akcreunite.org.

Curated By Elaine Lessig

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194 – April, 2026

By Elaine Lessig

Yes! Expeditious is a real word. It implies being both quick and efficient. Look it up in a good dictionary. There, you will also get a greater understanding of the word. Dear readers, it is very important that you know. The tale to be shared with you will take you on an unexpected journey. Five American Kennel Club judges thought they were lost–only to find one another, and more, during a 3-day expedition. Together, with great empathy for each other, an effective, prompt, and skillful approach to return to their homes was set in motion. Without wasting any time, the five judges competently jumped into action without any hesitation or resistance. Determination is a good thing!

For me, the story begins on Saturday, February 21, 2026. I left the snow-covered wilds of New Jersey on February 18th for a four-day dog show in Madison, Wisconsin. All the weather reports estimated a two- to four-inch snowfall for our area. With three large snowstorms before this one, the amount seemed minuscule. At noon on the 21st, while at lunch, I received a text from United Airlines, which is never good news. Several others received one, too. My flight back to Newark Airport on Monday morning was cancelled. The Northeast was preparing for the most dangerous of the snowstorms this season. Blizzard conditions were expected beginning in the wee hours of Sunday through Monday morning. I rebooked my flight home for later on Monday after my flight early on Monday was canceled. By then, I anticipated the storm would be over and the runways cleared.

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192 – April, 2026

  • Gina M. DiNardo – President and CEO

 • Theodore E. Phillips, CPA – Chief Financial Officer

 • Sheila Goffe – Executive Secretary

Ms. DiNardo brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the AKC, with over 50 years of experience in the sport of purebred dogs as both a breeder and owner-handler. She has worked at the AKC for more than 30 years, having served as Executive Secretary for nine years prior to being elected as CEO in April 2025.

Ms. Goffe joined AKC in 2006 and was promoted to Vice President of Government Relations in 2016. She owns and breeds Siberian Huskies, having finished numerous champions from the Bred-By Exhibitor class. She is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of America and various specialty and all-breed kennel clubs. She was first elected as Executive Secretary in April 2025.

Mr. Phillips joined AKC in May 2020 with over 38 years of experience in financial leadership roles with Carnegie Hall, Merrill Lynch, and Deloitte. He is a committee member and lecturer for the New York State CPA Society and AICPA.

The Canine Chronicle is saddened to share the passing of Ralph Del Deo. He passed peacefully on March 25, 2026, at the age of 101.

By Jordan Moore

I have been incredibly fortunate to become an advocate for assistants through the opportunity to publicly write for The Canine Chronicle. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “How do you not get burnt out?” The truth is, that is a complicated question.

When I was working for Erin Piercy-Foreman in California, she said something that has stayed with me ever since: this is a passion-based job. This is not a 9-to-5 job where you clock out and go home. You must truly love what you do to show dogs. Over the years, that statement has been proven to be true time and time again.

Every single person in this sport, not just assistants, begins for the same reason. We love the dogs. From there, exhibitors choose different paths. For many, becoming an assistant is about education. It is about learning the craft, understanding presentation, conditioning, timing, ring awareness, client relationships, and the countless details that go into being successful in this sport.

Now, let us get into the reality of it.

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186 – April, 2026