-- Governors of Alaska, North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Tennessee all designate Responsible Dog Ownership Days--

New York, NY – In honor of AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day on September 17, 2004, (the AKC’s 120th anniversary) the AKC and many of its affiliated clubs have received support – in the form or proclamations and congratulatory letters -- from numerous government officials, including the mayor of New York City, and the governors of Alaska, North Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and California.

AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day aims to educate dog owners about canine ownership and help them enhance their relationships with their pets. Nearly 450 events are being held by AKC clubs and other pet-related organizations throughout the month of September.

The following acknowledgements have been received since our last announcement:

• Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City has proclaimed September 17, 2004 "AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day," in conjunction with the AKC's New York event at Madison Square Park.

• Ruth Ann Minner, Governor, and John C. Carney, Jr., Lieutenant Governor, the State of Delaware, have declared September 17, 2004, "Responsible Dog Ownership Day" in that state. Arranged by Pat Bagger of the Wilmington Kennel Club.

• Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania proclaimed September 15, 2004 "Responsible Dog Ownership Day" in Pennsylvania. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff presented the proclamation to members of the Bucks County SPCA at an event that morning.

• Phil Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee issued a proclamation designating September 17, 2004 “AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day.”

• Mayor Stan Davis of Salmon, Idaho signed a "Responsible Dog Ownership Day" proclamation on September 15, 2004 as part of the Country Canine's 4-H Dog Club's RDO event the following day.

• The Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, Patrick L McCrory, sent a letter of recognition to the Piedmont Kennel Club and the Carolina Trainers' Forum for their support of responsible dog ownership.

• Jacksonville, Florida Mayor John Peyton has issued a Proclamation to the Alliance of Responsible Pet Owners of Northeast Florida Inc., designating September 12, 2004 as "AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day" (note: due to the hurricanes in FL, this event will be postponed until November 14, 2004).

The following have been previously announced:

• Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California sent a letter of congratulations to fanciers Janice Anderson and Lesly Blanton of Anderson Acres in Bakersfield, CA., and Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall will be attending and presenting a “Responsible Dog Ownership Day” proclamation to Anderson Acres on September 19, 2004.

• Governor Michael Easley of North Carolina and Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh proclaimed September 17, 2004 as "AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day."

• Governor Frank Murkowski of Alaska and Mayor Bruce Bothelo of Juneau, Alaska proclaimed August 28, 2004 “Responsible Dog Ownership Day” in conjunction with an event held by the Grateful Dogs of Juneau.

• Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel of Wauseon, Ohio proclaimed September 24-26, 2004 “Responsible Dog Ownership Weekend” in conjunction with events being held there.

• Mayor Thomas J. Carlson of Springfield, Missouri will attend and present a “Responsible Dog Ownership Day” proclamation to the MidAmerica Miniature Schnauzer Rescue on September 18, 2004.

• Mayor Fred B. Cavanaugh, Jr. of Aiken, South Carolina presented a proclamation declaring September 17, 2004 “Responsible Dog Ownership Day” to Wanda Gipp of Aiken Dog Sports.

• Mayor Norm Archibald of Abilene, Texas will proclaim September 25, 2004 as “Responsible Dog Ownership Day” at a City Counsel meeting on September 23, 2004. The Abilene Kennel Club arranged for the proclamation.

• Mayor Keith McDonald of Bartlett, Tennessee will attend a ceremony hosted by AKC Companion Animal Recovery and issue a proclamation in recognition of "AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day" on September 17, 2004. A local youngster, Brandon Freeze, will be honored with an award for his creation of mobile Pet First Aid Stations.

“We are delighted to have these mayors and governors recognize AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. Our clubs work year-round to educate dog owners and be a positive resource in their communities, and their efforts deserve to be acknowledged by these government leaders,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC’s VP of Communications. “No one is in a better position to work with legislators and their neighbors when it comes to dog-related issues than AKC clubs.”