The American Kennel Club is sponsoring the third annual AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) on September 17th. It is one of our most popular initiatives for fanciers and pet lovers alike. In honor of AKC’s founding, on September 17, 1884, AKC initiated a public awareness campaign for current and future dog owners to learn about the joys and responsibilities of owning a dog.
AKC devotes many resources to responsible dog ownership year-round but this special celebration, which takes place during the month of September, allows us to work closely with dog clubs, the veterinary community and others to plan and execute events promoting this worthy cause.
AKC has a responsibility to its clubs to help to increase awareness of their organization in their local community- whether it be through membership drives, promotion of shows, affiliated rescue groups, education efforts and more. We are proud to report that over the past three years, AKC has supported thousands of dog clubs, rescue organizations, veterinarians, 4-H groups and AKC Canine Good Citizen® evaluators by helping them hold successful AKC RDO Day events. Through these events, organizers have promoted their organization’s missions and goals throughout the community, in their local newspapers and on television and radio stations, and have garnered proclamations from their city mayors and state governors.
As of today, more than 300 organizations from across the United States are participating in this year’s festivities, representing 41 states, from Alaska and Hawaii to South Dakota, Texas and New Hampshire.
Once again, the AKC will hold its own celebrations in Raleigh, North Carolina and New York City on Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, September 17, respectively. Attendees will have the opportunity to try for AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, take advantage of low-cost microchipping, view demonstrations in agility and obedience, meet several of the 153-AKC recognized breeds through representatives of parent clubs and much more.
Whether you host or attend an AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day event this September, I thank you for your support!
For more information about AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, including a full list of events by state, please visit /clubs/rdod/index.cfm or contact communications@akc.org.
Sincerely,
Ron Menaker
Chairman