New York, NY — The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC) and the Hangtown Kennel Club of Placerville, CA (HKC) have each been honored with an American Kennel Club® (AKC®) Community Achievement Award. The awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts from AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized federations and their members. The AKC selects award recipients who promote responsible dog ownership within their communities or who have successfully introduced, monitored and responded to legislative issues affecting dog ownership.
New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC)
The members of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs have dedicated themselves to protecting the rights of dog owners in New Jersey. The club’s legislative committee monitors national, state and local statutes and ordinances and provides emergency alerts as well as quarterly updates on canine legislative issues to members. NJFDC also hosted a Lobby Day and hired a lobbyist to help educate legislators about bills that might affect area dog owners.
The organization also heavily promotes responsible pet ownership in the community. NJFDC members have hosted annual free microchip clinics and set up educational tables at many AKC shows and matches. NJFDC has also been involved in the ongoing work to obtain AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers to serve the state of New Jersey.
Hangtown Kennel Club of Placerville, CA (HKC)
Members of the Hangtown Kennel Club have developed unique and creative ways to support dogs and dog owners in their community, regularly participating in 4-H dog care and training sessions, therapy dog visits, and the Waggin’ Tails reading program at the El Dorado County Boys & Girls Club in Placerville.
HKC took part in relief efforts during the King and Sand Fires in California, contributing crates, leashes, food and water for pets displaced by the wildfires. The club also loaned out their canopies for use at animal evacuation centers in several locations, with members donating their time to set-up, transport and tear down the canopies.
The club also donated 23 pet oxygen masks to each fire station in El Dorado County, California and contributed cases of doggie pick-up bags for use at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, El Dorado County Main Library in Placerville, the City of Placerville's downtown area and the El Dorado County Bike Trail. In 2014, HKC gave out 34,410 pick-up bags, and since the club began the program in 1998, HKC has dispensed over 250,000 bags!
“The efforts made by the members of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs and the Hangtown Kennel Club of Placerville, CA in their communities to benefit the well-being of dogs are exemplary,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “They serve as a shining example of the good works that can be accomplished by local AKC clubs.”
Nominations for the AKC Community Achievement Award are accepted year-round. Honorees receive a certificate of appreciation and a $1,000 check payable to their AKC club or AKC-recognized federation to further public education and government relations efforts. Nominate an individual, club or federation.
The efforts made by members in their communities to benefit the well-being of dogs are exemplary.