Club Wins $1,000 for Responsible Dog Ownership Day Efforts
The American Kennel Club® announced today that Oconee River Kennel Club, Inc (ORKC) of Watkinsville, Ga. has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Awards for its dedication to promoting responsible dog ownership. ORKC received one of three awards this quarter – Susque-Nango Kennel Club of Binghamton, N.Y. and the Rapid City Kennel Club of Rapid City, S.D., also received acknowledgement.
The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations and their members. The AKC selects award recipients who promote purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership. For the second year, AKC dedicated the fourth quarter Community Achievement Awards to clubs who went above and beyond in their efforts to promote AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, an annual event created by the AKC to encourage all dog and pet-related organizations to publicly promote responsible dog ownership and help current dog owners enhance their relationships with their pets.
“Oconee River Kennel Club is a new club with a positive direction honoring the AKC tradition of dog events and contributing to its community through education and donations,” wrote Maria Caudill, Secretary of the ORKC, who nominated the club for the Community Achievement Award.
The ORKC put together a multitude of engaging and educational activities to draw in the several hundred spectators and numerous local merchants who supported its event. Among the activites were an AKC sanctioned B-match, a poster contest for children, AKC Canine Good Citizen® testing, a Meet the Breeds, a Junior Handling clinic and a demonstration by therapy dog R.E.A.D. volunteers. The club’s efforts to promote the event included donations for a silent auction, prize sponsorships, use of the local bank’s scrolling marquee plus radio, newspaper and television coverage leading up to, during and after the event.
“By harnessing the support of the local community through donations, sponsorhips, media coverage and engaging activities, the Oconee River Kennel Club’s AKC RDO Day created a recipe for success,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC’s VP of Communications. “We are proud to honor this club with the AKC Community Achievement Award and hope that other clubs will be inspired to hold events in 2008.”
Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Awards are accepted year-round. Up to three honorees are named each quarter. They receive a certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to the club or federation’s public education and canine legislation efforts. Nominate a club.
AKC dog clubs and other pet-related organizations can find out more about AKC RDO Day.