Blue Moon Akita Rescue has assisted over 100 rescued Akitas in the last 10 years. If you look at the DOGS PLACED section of the website, you can see the list of Akitas placed in the last 2-1/2 years.   

We not only provide a loving foster home for our wonderful Akita companions but we also work with them while they are here.  Many of the dogs who come here have been treated badly by people and need the opportunities for positive interactions to help them to regain their own confidence and learn to trust again.  We also work with  them by teaching learn basic obedience, house training, manners in public, crate training and general socialization.  This helps insure the new family has a wonderful dog who is well trained.  We microchip, vaccinate and spay or neuter every orphan who comes into our care.  We provide health check-ups, food, housing and much more.  We are average, working class Americans and it breaks our heart when we've squeezed the nickel until the buffalo bellows but we still can't take in "just one more" orphan. 

If you aren't looking to adopt just now but you would like to go to bed knowing you've helped an Akita orphan, please consider spending some time helping out.  We are always happy to have responsible people join us to:

1.  PHOTOGRAPHY  I'm really good at a lot of things, but taking pictures isn't one of them.  The orphans place so much more quickly if we have flattering pictures of them on the website.  If you are into photography, we'd love to have you visit us to take some pictures.

2.[nbsp "WALK THE DOG"nbsp]  We live in an area that has wonderful walking trails that go for many miles.  We welcome RESPONSIBLE ADULTS to come visit us a few times and (if we really like you a lot) take a one-on-one "walk with an orphan"

3.  GROOMING.  Those of you who have lived with an Akita know about "the shedding cycle" and every spring and every all we're over here doing the dance with 7 or 8 Akitas.  We welcome folks who know how to use a brush and who don't mind getting fuzzy, so come on over.  We've always got somebody who's looking for a good grooming.

4.  LOVE. .  So often all we have to give is love, and more often than not, that love will move a mountain.  Every dog who comes to Blue Moon knows the heartbreak of being abandoned.   No matter how well they may have been treated, each one of these dogs has now been abandoned by their family and sent into an unknown place.  They know what it's like to have loved and been left alone.  Anyone who tells you dogs don't grieve and feel loss -- anyone who says that is an idiot.   These orphan Akitas all need so much love and reassurance.  They can get that love from you in so many ways.   Sometimes a broken hearted Akita just needs someone willing to sit in a comfortable chair and read a book for the afternoon while he hangs out and thinks about not being alone anymore or learns how to be with someone who is not being unkind.  Bring your book and come on by.

5. SPONSOR.  If you find a dog on the site you particularly like, you can make a donation to sponsor his or her upkeep while they are here.  Your donation goes toward food, medical care, supplies, toys, training, etc.  and you will receive a regular update as to how "your" Akita is doing.  Of course you are welcome to visit as often as you would like.

6. VETERINARY CARE.   Our vet is Dr Steve Feldman of Vet Care Animal Hospital and he is always more than fair with us and is one of the best vets I have ever met.  Dr Steve runs a busy practice and always makes time for our orphans, unfortunately,  we are probably one of his most regular customers and the orphans don't come with health insurance, so we pay as we go.  If you would like to make a monetary donation for the medical care of our orphans, you can call 303-329-9162 and ask that your payment be applied toward the Blue Moon Akita Rescue.  Please be sure to also send me an e-mail karena@bluemoonakitarescue.com so that I can ensure you receive a receipt covering your donation for tax purposes.

7.  FOOD.   We feed only Nature's Select Dog Food - Alaskan Salmon and Rice formula.  Hands down, I think it's the best dog food on the market today; it is made in the United States of natural ingredients and the dogs love it.  I have had Akitas since 1972 and have not found any better food for conditioning and maintaining these dogs.   Our distributor is Rick at 970 390 1895.  Any donation towards our food bill is appreciated as bill runs about $400 a month (if we don't buy any treats like big bully stix or cookies).  Be sure to send me an e-mail at karena@bluemoonakitarescue.com so that I can send you a receipt and verify that Rick has applied your donation to our account.

8.  DOG SNACKS and TREATS.  If you would like to call Rick and order a treat package for Blue Moon Akita Rescue, please know that we'd be grateful and you will be sent a receipt for your donation.   Be sure to send me an e-mail at karena@bluemoonakitarescue.com so that I can send you a receipt and verify what Rick will be bringing us.

9.  PRAYER.   Whatever you believe, however you believe, we welcome your prayers and thank you for remembering us.

  Beyond that the guys like squeek toys (the larger sizes and hard rubber ones), balls (6" and up), jolly balls (it's a horse toy but the Akitas love them), stuffed toys and each time I go shopping, I try to buy another brick of cedar and a brick of pine bedding at Wal Mart so that we've always got fresh bedding for new orphans.  Any donations of "gift items" for the orphans will be receipted for your tax purposes.  

Aside from visiting and playing, walking or brushing the guys, please know that we love receiving "care" packages that might include things like dog snacks/treats/cookies (no corn ingredients please), the guys love a good knuckle bone and nobody gets a new one until I can hand out knuckle bones to everyone.  The giant knuckles are $3.58 each at Wal Mart, and that's not much until you start buying them by the dozen ... what a great care package treat or  Xmas stocking stuffer for each of the guys. 

We know we cannot change the world, but for the orphan Akita you take into your heart to help feed, cover medical expenses on or give a forever home, you truly have made a difference and given the gift of life. Blue Moon Akita Rescue operates with a 501C3 and any assistance you give our dogs can be used as a tax deduction and you will be sent a receipt.

Never doubt that you can make a difference.  You do.  Every day.

Chicago Marathon &

Blue Moon Akita Rescue

Running to raise money for the Akitas at the Colorado based

Blue Moon Akita Rescue

Date of Marathon: October 10, 2010 @ 7:30 am

Goal: $1,000

Goal Deadline: October 1, 2010

Donate: Specific amount or pledge per mile

Checks made payable to Blue Moon Akita Rescue

All donations are tax deductible

Contact: Nicole Geraci @ (773) 934-0050 or nickigeraci@comcast.net

Marathon runner Nicole Geraci was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Avon, CO.  She moved back to Chicago for college where she met her “partner and soul mate, August.  In 2008 Nicole and August moved back to Avon, and she currently works for her family’s financial planning and wealth management firm.  .  Her love for running started when she was a kid, some of her family members are runners as well.  “I have found that running keeps me sane but there were times that life got in the way and running took the backseat.  However, every time I come back to it I fall in love with it all over again.”  Long term running goal for Nicole is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

 Nicole has “always loved dogs and all animals....”  Her love for Akitas began when she returned  to Colorado and met an Akita named Kuma .  Soon she and August were researching the breed,  intent on becoming  informed owners.  She and August got their first Akita in January 2009.  Hachi was 8 weeks old when he joined the family and became their first dog.  Nicole says that “Hachi has brought so much joy into our lives and has taught us more than we could have imagined.” 

Nicole says the biggest thing the Akita has taught her is patience.  She believes that “everything and everyone comes into our lives for a reason.”  She tells us she feels blessed every single day she gets to spend with August and Hachi.  We feel so very fortunate that Nicole selected Blue Moon as a way to give back to the Akita breed  -- she said she lives too far away to be a "hands on" volunteer and so she asked if she could run a marathon to help support Blue Moon.  

Each day we are grateful for  our volunteers and sponsors for everything they do to keep us moving forward.   Truly each of you are a vital part of Blue Moon Akita Rescue.