Club Wins $1,000 for Responsible Dog Ownership Day Efforts
The American Kennel Club® announced today that Susque-Nango Kennel Club (SNKC) of Binghamton, N.Y. has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Awards for its dedication to promoting responsible dog ownership. SNKC received one of three awards this quarter – Rapid City Kennel Club of Rapid City, S.D. and Oconee River Kennel Club, Inc (ORKC) of Watkinsville, Ga. 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.
“This accomplishment was a direct result of the hard work of the [SNKC] committee and their efforts promoting the event,” wrote Andrea C. Wawrzusin, President of SNKC, who nominated the club for the Community Achievement Award. “Not only did they manage to have the event promoted ahead of time in the local newspaper and television stations, they also succeeded in having September 15, 2007 declared Responsible Dog Ownership Day in the City of Binghamton… and in Broome County.”
SNKC held its event in conjunction with another annual event, the Canine Companion Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. By combining the two events, both organizations were able to capitalize on the positive publicity they received. The club hosted many educational activities for attendees including “Meet the Breeds”, AKC Canine Good Citizen testing, microchipping and demonstrations in agility, obedience, rally and flyball. A local radio station provided live event coverage, encouraging the public to stop by throughout the day.
“The SNKC’s determination to spread the responsible dog ownership message was heard loud and clear by its community,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC’s VP of Communications. “The AKC is proud to recognize the Susque-Nango Kennel Club for organizing such a successful AKC RDO day event. We hope other clubs will be inspired and join our RDO Day efforts 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.