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

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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

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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 45smiller82108@gmail.com.

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!

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your inbox 4 times a year.

Email us

info@AkitaClubRescueFund.org

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 info@AkitaClubRescueFund.org.

Back issues are available by written request

(info@AkitaClubRescueFund.org).

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

info@AkitaClubRescueFund.org

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