Shocked to learn that Akitas can be found in animal shelters? Akitas are not immune to
misfortune. The same careless attitudes that cause abandonment for other breeds can 
be found in the Akita fancy.  It is a human problem, not a breed specific one: Read more.

Let's look at a handful of Akitas recently impounded in a few Los Angeles area shelters:

There was a young male named "Buttons" turned into a shelter for "digging." Shelter 
personnel and volunteers found him to be very friendly and trustworthy, certainly not
a candidate for euthanasia. Buttons died when he went into a state of depression
after waiting for weeks without finding a home.  "Digging" is an easily corrected though 
natural canine behavior.  Certainly not a reason to kill an Akita.

Spend a moment looking at the faces of Akitas that died--not for aggression or
behavior problems but because there are too many dogs. Not enough people
are willing to visit their local shelters to adopt, believing falsely that all shelter dogs
are discards.  

If you plan to show your purebred Akita in AKC shows, you should purchase a puppy from
a reputable, professional breeder. If you're looking for a friend, a companion, the benefits
of contacting a shelter are many. Shelters with active volunteers spend a great deal of time
with the animals. They can give you an idea about temperament, personality and level
of training. As mentioned, these dogs are already housebroken, have some basic obedience
and make wonderful companions. They have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and
given a health check. The work has already been done for you!

By adopting an Akita from an animal shelter, you are literally saving a life. There are a few
no-kill shelters throughout the country but the majority of animal shelters are kill
shelters. Certainly that's not by choice but necessity. Shelters can house only a limited
number of animals. To make room for incoming animals, they allow each dog a short
time for adoption. If the Akita is not adopted within that time frame, it is killed. A lot
of Akitas are dying in animal shelters--a consequence of popularity.

What is involved in adopting a dog from a shelter?

Very little. Most shelters spay or neuter before the dog is allowed to leave. It
will be vaccinated but that's about all the veterinary care it will receive. Some shelters
will give you a certificate for a free veterinary check then you're on your own. The
cost of adoption is different in each city and state but generally, it costs less
than $100. Humane societies may require a house check similar to the rescue
groups but municipal shelters are too understaffed to undertake investigations before
adoption.

Now what? Where do I find a shelter?

You can do a Google search using the keywords: “Animal Shelter” plus your city and state. 
You can look in your phone book under "Humane Society," or "animal shelter." You can call
your local Chamber of Commerce or ask at the nearest pet supply store. Nearly every
community has some facility to house homeless animals.  Your loyal Akita waits for you
in one of those shelters.

© 2000 Barbara Bouyet