Acquiring an Akita can be something you need to contemplate about. Would you want to raise an Akita from puppyhood? Or would you rather adopt an older Akita, one that has been rescued and placed at the local shelters? Can you really handle taking care of an Akita at all?
If you are interested in adopting an older Akita, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or dog pound. Animal rescue units are on the special lookout for abandoned and abused animals. One thing you have to consider is that some of these animals may have gone through horrific periods of their lives like abandonment, maltreatment, starvation, etc. They may be carrying the scars of these periods and will most likely need more attentive measures. However, before adoption, there will always be an evaluation stage for both you and the Akita - just to see if your lifestyle can fit into the needs of the dog, and not the other way around.
An Akita, as you may well know, has a very different temperament than other dogs. It also has very different dietary needs. An Akita that is rescued and put up for adoption will hardly be an easy dog to manage, especially if you do not have prior experience with animal adoption or taking care of an Akita.
If you are a bit hesitant about adopting an Akita for one reason or other, maybe you could start off volunteering for an animal shelter as a foster parent, as a walker, as a groomer, or whatever volunteer job they might have. Helping hands are always welcome in such establishments, and this may be a great way for you to get acquainted with one or more Akitas. You will also have a first hand experience on how to interact with Akitas on a daily basis.
Some animal shelters even provide a more comprehensive package from advocacy, human education, Akita and human training, Akita and human evaluation, rescue, boarding, veterinary care, Akita and human screening and Akita placement. A good example of this is the Akita Adoption and Rescue of Mid America.
Government agencies like the ASPCA or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also provide temporary shelter, medical aid, dental aid and placement services to animals they rescue.
If you are thinking of adopting an Akita from a shelter, you too have to go through several applications (all of which are needed to be approved by one or more animal agencies), a series of evaluations, etc. Approval of the applications alone can take weeks and even months, so this is a lengthy business. Evaluations can be psychological, mental or lifestyle checks.
Some online pet adoption websites include www.1-800-Save-A-Pet.com and www.petfinder.com. These sites are usually non-profit volunteer groups that offer extensive databases for Akitas and all abandoned animals that are in need of a new home.
If you feel like you need time to think things through, you can still get involved by donating financial aid to help buy premium quality dog food, supplements, toys, treats and vaccines for these animal shelters instead.
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