Club Wins $1,000 for Responsible Dog Ownership Day Efforts

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® announced today that Lake Cumberland Kennel Club (LCKC) of Somerset, Ky. has been named a recipient of the AKC® Community Achievement Awards for its dedication to promoting responsible dog ownership. LCKC received one of three awards this quarter – Oshkosh Kennel Club of Oshkosh, Wis. and the Greater Panama City Dog Fancier’s Association of Panama City, Fla., 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.  This 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.

“Responsible Dog Ownership Day is not just a once a year thing – it’s a life long commitment by this club and its members,” wrote Gloria Sams, Public Education Chairperson of the LCKC, who nominated the club for the Community Achievement Award.

The club made it their goal to get community children involved in their efforts, sponsoring essay and art contests in every school in the county on “Why My Dog is My Best Friend” and “My Vision of the Perfect Dog.”  Winners were awarded with savings bonds and their works displayed at the “Fido Fun Fair”.  Club members reached out to the media to promote these efforts, as well as the many other aspects of their event, and were rewarded with nine comprehensive features in the regional daily newspaper.

“Lake Cumberland Kennel Club has kindled an interest in dogs in its community, evidenced by the media coverage they received as well as the hundreds of people in attendance at their event, despite rainy weather,” said Noreen Baxter, AKC’s VP of Communications. “The activities that LCKC planned for their “Fido Fun Fair” demonstrate their commitment to educating the public, especially children, about responsible dog ownership.  We hope other clubs will be inspired and join our RDO Day efforts in 2007.”

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. To nominate a club, visit Community Achievement Award.

AKC dog clubs and other pet-related organizations can find out more about AKC RDO Day 2007 at https://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/events.