Hello, everybody, and thank you for joining us for the second virtual meeting of our Delegate Body. The onset of Autumn is usually a time when we celebrate the return of events in cooler climates when the heat of the summer is replaced by the hint of turning leaves, and yet here we are, with this terrible pandemic hampering our ability to enjoy sports we love. Clubs are challenged by changing rules that are beyond anyone’s control. Breeders, exhibitors, handlers and judges are struggling with all the uncertainty, and yet we must carry on.
In a world of challenges to sports and businesses alike, management has done more than keep the status quo and making sure the lights are on. In the words of JFK, “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.”
In some areas of the country, AKC Clubs have been able to apply equal measures of hard work and favorable conditions to achieve successful conformation clusters during this difficult period. Adapting social distancing practices and enforcing the use of face coverings have enabled clubs in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Kansas to bring back a taste of what we have all been missing for so many months. As we know, executing an event is a complex effort, even at the best of times, so we’re grateful for what they have accomplished, and we congratulate them.
To assist all clubs in their efforts to manage the current situation, the Club Development Department continues to be a guiding light. Staff is leveraging every communication channel, including social media, show chairs, show committees and all interested fanciers to facilitate each aspect of events, including procedures, confirming dates, checking conflicts and more. Everyone is welcome to join moderated conversations on Facebook and Twitter to share information, compare experiences and learn from one another. As the saying goes, we’re all in this together, if we’re in it at all. So, let’s keep the dialogue going.
For the vast majority of our clubs have not been able to proceed with events, and our exhibitors, handlers and judges are sidelined, know that we’re here for you. Technology, for better or worse, is one constant during this time, and we’re determined to apply its best features to rekindle, at least some parts for our dog life. We have held two virtual dog shows, which have been a novel way to combine at-home handling and with charitable donations to worthy causes, including Take the Lead and AKC Reunite “Adopt a K9 Cop” program. Opportunities in Companion dog programs are booming online with virtual tricks, a new Home Manners program, Rally Novice and Intermediate classes, and Agility ACT classes. We’re also motivating dog lovers to stay active by participating in AKC Fit Dog. A consumer targeted social campaign, called “Woof from Home”, offers a new activity for dog owners to try at home each day, resulting in terrific engagement with the public and many new impressions for AKC brand on Facebook and Instagram. At AKC, we’re always innovating because we dog people believe “Where there is no hope, it is incumbent upon us to invent it”.
And because we know there will come a time when dog shows will return, we’re ramping up continuing education opportunities more than ever before. When it comes to refreshing knowledge and sharpening skills, downtime is the best time. Last March, AKC’s Judging Operations and Education Departments began offering judges free educational breed webinars, hosted by parent clubs. Seventy-eight breeds have been presented to nearly 23,000 live attendees so far. And recordings have been watched more than 5,000 times. Webinars continue weekly on Tuesday evenings. Join us and spread the word about these superb learning experiences. After researching numerous ideas, so many new opportunities now exist, each launched after management’s careful review. As stated by Steve Jobs, “I’m as proud of many of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done. Innovation is saying no to a thousand things.”
I would also like to encourage you to join us for an AKC tradition going online for the first time. You can celebrate responsible dog ownership and there will be a Facebook event on September 17th from 11:00 A.M. to 3:15 P.M. Share this information with your membership, so that we can get as many people to join us and celebrate our dogs and the care we put into them. Let’s embrace this time as best as we can, for our own sake and the sake of our dogs.
Also let’s use this time to double down on our messaging, and our mission to advance this sport of purebred dogs. We all know the lockdown has created tremendous demand for puppies everywhere. Searches on Marketplace have increased by 85% compared to this time last year. Fortunately, for AKC, registration of litters and dogs continues to grow. Unfortunately, so is the demand for designer dogs and the “need it now” mentality that goes along with it. Breeders of AKC registerable purebred dogs must mobilize, make plans and share information among one another, if we’re to have any hope for helping prospective puppy owners to choose a purebred dog. Yes, many of us have built solid waiting lists over many years of successful breeding programs, but don’t let that stop you from helping families find purebred dogs. Share the good news of litters in your community. Keep your club referral page active. Check in with parent club breed rescue contacts, encourage new and long-term breeders in your clubs, and certainly, if a litter fits into your plans, AKC’s Registration and Breeder Development Departments stand ready to assist you.
These are challenging times for us all, there’s no doubt. But as Teddy Roosevelt once said, “when you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” And we must hang on. As we head towards the end of the year, let’s do all we can to keep ourselves and our dogs safe and engaged. If you’re able, support clubs that can hold events responsibly. Work with your dogs and hone your ring craft. Try a virtual event. Whether they’re under the eye of a judge or resting besides us on the couch, our dogs mean the world to us and times at home with them can only deepen the bonds that we share.
I would like to leave you with a few random final thoughts. American Kennel Club is a tricameral organization. Management and Staff, Board of Directors, and Delegate body. During these trying and uncertain times, we have all worked well together to achieve our goals.
As an old proverb once said, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Benjamin Franklin echoed that more eloquently when he said, “out of adversity comes opportunity.” You frequently hear, Carpe Diem. The real meaning of Horace’s quote is – Do all you can do today to make tomorrow better. Let’s continue to innovate. Together we will win this battle. Thank you and be safe.
-Tom