Some people think kennel clubs are about snooty, rich, purebred fanatics. That does not described Lewis-Clark Kennel Club or its members. Through the past 50 plus years, Lewis-Clark Kennel Club has done so many things for the community that we cannot write them all. LCKC purchased kennel mats for both the Lewiston and Clarkston shelters. LCKC purchased metal cans for food storage at Clarkston. LCKC set up a program at the Clarkston Shelter for a $30 certificate toward the cost of spaying or neutering (s/n) when we found out they did not s/n dogs adopted from the shelter. That wasn't easy! LCKC members attended Clarkston council meetings to plead our case. The council agreed with our proposal! LCKC provided the Clarkston shelter with certificates to take to all the Vet clinics in the Valley. They agreed to bill us when a certificate arrived with a dog. At one count we had supplied certificates for s/n for over 25 dogs adopted from the Clarkston Shelter. Now the animals are all sent to Lewiston shelter where they are all s/n before adoption.
LCKC adopted a program to furnish 3 days of boarding at a Vet Clinic for anyone who has a pet and needs to seek help at the YWCA Domestic Abuse Shelter. They cannot accept pets and statistics show that if a pet is in the home the animal may also be receiving abuse. Threat of abusing a pet is often used to persuade the abused to not leave and seek help. We started this program after we were no longer needed for s/n at the Clarkston shelter.
LCKC worked with a humane Society that was traveling throughout the US using Veterinary students to conduct s/n clinics in poorer communities with high populations of stray pets. They visited Lapwai for 2 years. LCKC provided food, cooked and served the students and staff. The first year at Lapwai they s/n'd approximately 250 dogs & cats and gelded a number of horses. Each year we have a food drive at Christmas that usually provides 600-700 lbs of dog food, kitty litter and treats. Some members have volunteered to work at the Lewiston Shelter walking dogs, etc. LCKC cares about all dogs/pets and works with our individual Breed Rescue organizations. My husband and I have worked in Great Dane Rescue for over 15 years and have adopted dogs from Spokane Dachshund Rescue for elderly members of our family who did not want puppies. Members have helped place numerous other breeds with good forever families.
LCKC does not have Agility Equipment but are working to raise money to provide this equipment for the club and 4-H clubs in the area who wish to learn Agility. We have 3 members who have ongoing classes in one or more of the Obedience, Rally or Agility areas. We have a member who specializes in dogs who have been traumatized.
LCKC members travel to Colton, Pomeroy, Asotin & and Nez Perce counties to put on seminars for the 4-H Club members there. Members have served as 4-H leaders, mentors and judges. We have had good turnouts at each "Fun Match". These children are our future.
If you wish to exhibit your mixed breed dog, contact AKC to get a number for your dog under their new All American Dog program. You can then enter at shows that offer mixed breed/unregistered dogs in Rally, Obedience and Agility. We will be offering mixed breed for the first time at our 2012 show for Obedience and Rally.
I hope we have something to offer you as a member. We hope you share your expertise with us. The bylaws state a person/family has to attend 2 meetings (need not be consecutive). Introductions take place at the first meeting. The members are asked to find out if there is any reason they know of that the person/family is not acceptable due to any known animal related issues. At the second meeting the members vote whether to accept or reject the applicant. We do our best to get to know and honestly check applicants. Yearly dues are $6 for an individual or $10 per family.
Charlene
