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Akita Crusader The official newsletter of AKITA CLUB OF AMERICA RESCUE, INC
February 2018 Vol 1, Issue 1
We have a name. We took a Facebook vote last month and everyone “emoji’d” their favorite
newsletter name. It was a close count, but the name Akita Crusader took the marque spot.
With the name in place, the newsletter team of Shelley Pryor, editor, and Teresa Brown,
managing editor, have begun scribing the official Akita Club of America Rescue news.
The Akita Crusader will be freely distributed quarterly. The newsletter will be electronically
published, and submissions are welcome. Rescue organizations are encouraged to send in
photos of their successful adoptions or available Akitas. The submission deadline is the last
day of the month in March, June, September and December.
An issue archive will be created on ACAR’s website (AkitaClubRescueFund.org) and PDF
back issues will be available year-round to all Akita Champion supporters.
AKITA CRUSADER IS IN PRINT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Financial news 2
CHARMS 3
ATTS Testing 3
Raffle 3
Available 4
Web site 4
Contact us 6
In November, “Nicky” was found,
abandoned on the streets in St.
Louis. Estimated to be about 10
years old, Nicky suffered from old
injuries (two torn ACLs). He was
heartworm positive, emaciated
and had a warty growth on his
forehead. Midwest Akita Rescue
Society stepped in and with some
helping hands relocated him to a
foster home in Boston, where he’s
now recovering. He has a long
way to go, but he’s gaining weight
and will be starting heartworm
treatment this month. He’s even
starting to play with toys!
Emaciated and in crippling
pain, Nicky was left to fend
for himself on St. Louis
streets. He was found in
November.
Slowly healing and gaining
weight, Nicky is finally safe
and able to rest comfortably in
his foster home in Boston.
SAVED IN NICK’S TIME
2
December 2017 was month of firsts for ACAR. We
made our first official distribution, sending a total of
$7,000 to seven hands-on rescues ($1,000 to each
rescue) and we raised more than $20,000 in 31
days.
ACAR’s first major fundraising drive, the Jingle Jan-
gle campaign, was a matching donation drive held
throughout December. The total of donations made
during the month were matched up to $10,000.
ACAR financial officer Sherry Lockrem reported that
a total $20,300, including the matching funds, were
received. The event set a great benchmark for all of
ACAR’s future fund-raising efforts benefiting hands-
on Akita rescues.
In January, the ACAR Board voted to distribute an-
other $20,000 to hands-on rescues. Those funds
will be distributed in February.
The total funds will be disbursed according to an
equitable distribution structure created to fairly allo-
cate monies based on both need and activity level.
The approved rescues vary in size as well as the
number of dogs for which they are financially and
physically responsible. The distribution structure
takes that information into account to give each res-
cue an equitable share that correlates to the number
of Akitas in its program. To keep the distribution fair
and its records updated, the Board will periodically
gather rescue-activity information from the Akita
rescues.
’
Welcome to the first newslet-
ter for the Akita Club of Amer-
ica Rescue (ACAR)!
As you may know, ACAR be-
came an IRS recognized non-
profit in September 2017.
Since then, we have been
busy creating the organization as well as putting the
processes in place to guide our operations.
The ACAR Board has been diligent. One of our first
actions was eliminating a bureaucratic funding re-
quest process that made it difficult for rescues to
receive support during time-driven emergencies.
The Board completed its first funds distribution to
the ACAR-recognized hands-on Akita rescues. In
December, we launched our first fundraiser and
successfully matched a $10,000 donor for a total of
just over $20,000. In January 2018, the Board voted
to distribute those funds to the hands-on rescues
and those checks will go out soon.
In December, the Akita community suffered a major
loss with the passing of Carol Harris. Our sincere
condolences to her family and those who loved her.
The painful loss of someone so special can be felt
throughout a community. In her memory, CHARMS,
the Carol Harris Akita Rescue Memorial for Seniors,
was created. We thank and are grateful to Keith
Venezia for his generous donation establishing this
fund for veteran Akitas in need. Through this memo-
rial endowment, Carol’s legacy will touch many Aki-
tas in the future.
The ACAR Board is excited about the year ahead.
The communication, education, and fundraising
committees have added a number of members and
are working on initiatives to further our mission: To
generate and distribute financial and education as-
sistance to hands-on ACAR approved rescues.
We hope you will visit our Web site and our Face-
book page for the latest news.
Finally, please contact me or any member of the
ACAR Board with questions or suggestions. We
want to do our part to support Akita rescues in their
important work. In our efforts, we keep in the fore-
front of our minds — it’s all about the dogs.
Wayne
3
A senior Akita memorial fund has been established
with ACAR in memory of Carol Harris. Carol, who
passed away in December, was the driving force for
the Akita Advocates Relocation Team Arizona
(AARTA).
CHARMS, Carol Harris Akita Rescue Memorial for
Seniors, is a $25,000 endowment created specifical-
ly for senior Akitas in need. The memorial was es-
tablished by Keith Venezia.
Rescues can apply for the funds, which may be
used toward transport, shelter fees, boarding and
medical evaluations and/or treatment for dogs who
are seven years or older. Claims shall not exceed
$700 per dog with an annual maximum cap of
$3,500 per rescue within a calendar year.
If anyone would like to contribute to CHARMS,
please make your donation to ACAR with a note
stating the funds are for CHARMS.
Donations to ACAR, including those for CHARMS,
are tax deductible.
An American Temperament Test Society test is
scheduled for Saturday, April 14 in at Irvine Region-
al Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA. Testing
starts at 8 a.m. and only a limited number of dogs
will be tested.
Pre-entries must be received by April 10. You must
pre-enter to ensure your dog has a test slot. The
entry fee is $50 and proceeds benefit ACAR.
An ATTS test is a temperament evaluation adminis-
tered by ATTS evaluators. It was established in
1977 to create a standard measure to gauge the
reaction of all breeds of dogs to common sights and
sounds experienced in public places. It is a pass/fail
evaluation and all dogs passing earn a certificate.
The test takes approximately 12 minutes per dog
with the dog on a loose 6’ leash. No additional obe-
dience or training is required. As of April 2016, 568
Akitas have been tested with a 77.3% passing rate.
It’s important to note: the ATTS Test Entry Form
must be printed on a single page (use front and
back). ATTS requires one-page entry forms and will
not make exceptions. The form can be downloaded
at https://atts.org/forms-download.
Make checks payable to Akita Club of America Res-
cue and mail the entry form and payment in care of
Shannon Miller, 10861 Gray Pl., Tustin, CA 92782.
Have a question, email [email protected].
ATTS TEST SLATED
IN SOUTHERN CAL
CAROL HARRIS SENIOR
AKITA MEMORIAL FUND
We’ve got a pair of Southwest Airline
tickets — do they have your name
on them? They could! Win two airline
tickets to anywhere in the continental
U.S. where Southwest flies and also
a pair of tickets to Busch Garden,
Tampa, Fla.
The tickets are $5 each and the win-
ning number will be drawn live on ACAR’s Face-
book at 5 p.m., Feb. 15. Ticket sales close at
11:59 p.m. Feb. 14. Click on the button below to
get your tickets now!
Enter NOW!
AIRLINE TICKET RAFFLE Live online now
4
A website for ACAR has been created at
www.AkitaClubRescueFund.org. The site is still
under construction but is starting to take shape.
When fully complete, it will be a comprehensive
site and will include an auction and raffle area as
well as educational articles and webinars for sup-
porters.
A key website section will be the Rescue Educa-
tion and Mentoring area. Eventual plans include
having an extended area with valuable information
and mentoring for people who are interested in
establishing an Akita rescue organization.
One of the special places on ACAR’s site is its
Rainbow Memorial Bridge. The memorial bridge is
a virtual memorial for those who wish to remember
DOT ORG ACAR
a special friend who touched a heart. The cost is
$35 per memorial, which benefits hands-on rescues.
Additional information about the different ways to
help ACAR is available on the site.
LOOKING FOR LOVE My name is Mason. Aren’t I about the cutest thing
you’ve ever seen? I’m about 7 years old and would love
to have a home to call my own. My ideal soulmate is
someone is loves to be adored and who wants to share
their life with me and only me (no other pets, please).
I’m neutered, housetrained, crate trained, have all my
vaccinations, am microchipped and I have pretty awe-
some leash-walking skills, if I can say so
myself. The only thing I don’t have is someone I can call “my own
human” forever. I love Rakki Inu but after 3 years with them, I’m
ready for my own family.
I’m Hachi and am looking for the love
of my life. I was born on May 13, 2010,
and my sign is Taurus. That means I’m de-
voted and need to be with someone I love.
Once upon a time, I had a family, but things
didn’t work out and they left me at a shelter
when I was only 4 years old. I’ve been with
Rakki Inu ever since then. I’m ready for a life
with loving adults (no children or other pets,
please). You’ll see, I’m a perfect companion.
I’ve had all my vaccines, am microchipped, neutered, housetrained,
crate trained and I have lovely leash walking skills. Are we a perfect
match? I hope so.
If you know of someone who is looking for a beautiful adult
Akita, maybe Mason or Hachi is that special dog.
Please share their stories on your Facebook page. If you want to learn more about either boy, contact Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue, vaakitarescue.org/contact.html.
5
It can be tough keeping dogs, especially clever Akitas, entertained through bitter cold winter months. But,
luckily there are some simple games your dog can play inside. Here’s a great one that’s perfect for dogs of
all ages and sizes. And you don’t need much to play.
MUFFIN TIN FIND
Need:
Tiny treats or a small handful of kibble
Either a 12- or 24-hole muffin tin
Enough tennis balls for each muffin tin hole. For puppies, use a
mini-muffin pan and ping-pong balls or paper wadded into a
ball.
How to:
Introduce the idea to your Akita that treats can be found in the muffin
tin. Start by dropping 4-5 treats in a couple different holes (about one
treat per hole) and let your dog find all the treats. That was easy and your smart Akita will think “Wow, this
game is great!”
Now you want to introduce the idea that the treat is under a tennis ball. Put a treat in a hole and put a ball
in the same hole. Let your dog work out how to get the ball out of the hole to get to the treat. Your Akita
should be loving this easy game.
You’re ready to up the ante. Put a couple treats in three or four different holes and put a ball in every tin
hole. Now, your dog will have to search for the treats.
Some dogs will use their nose to find the right holes. Others will take every ball out to check each hole —
those over-achievers!
How does your dog play the game? We want to see it. Share a photo of your dog on ACAR ’s Face-
book page (www.facebook.com/AkitaClubRescue).
TRAINING TIPS
We’re cooking
up a special
something for
you.
Stay tuned!
Are you subscribed to
ACAR ’s Akita Crusader?
Don ’t miss an issue!
Free and prompt deliver y to
your inbox 4 times a year.
Email us
Akita Club of America Rescue, Inc.
Dr. Wayne Brown, president
Ann Bavaria, vice president
Sherry Lockrem, chief financial officer
JoAnn Dimon, recording secretary
Shelley Pryor, corresponding secretary
Shannon Miller, delegate
Dori Sparkman, delegate
Jodi Marcus, delegate emeritus
P.O. Box 38284
Albany, NY 12203
www.AkitaClubRescueFund.org
Akita Crusader
Shelley Pryor, editor
Teresa Brown, managing editor
Send all newsletter submissions and subscription
requests to [email protected].
Back issues are available by written request
6
The AKITA CRUSADER is electronically pub-
lished free of charge quarterly by the Akita
Club of America Rescue, Inc. ACAR is a rec-
ognized 501C3 organization. It is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to raising funds for its
approved hands-on Akita rescues.
ACAR’s Board of Directors are appointed by the
Akita Club of America. All Directors and staff
are volunteers.
Hands-on Akita rescue groups are encouraged
to apply for and become an ACAR-approved
rescue. Details can be found online at ACAR’s
website.
www.AkitaClubRescueFund.org
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