Big East Akita Rescue

jim mur

Big East Akita Rescue and JoAnn Dimond who runs it are THE BEST, PERIOD!! They work non-stop seven days a week from dusk till dawn and beyond to rescue Akitas throughout the country and try to find the best homes for this unique aloof breed which isn't for everyone!! BEAR has been doing this for a very long time and they are as knowledgeable about the breed as anyone you will ever come across and with this knowledge, they can help you find the right Akita for you and help you after you adopt. I've contacted JoAnn 4 years after adopting and her knowledge to help me is AMAZING, especially since the vet is so expensive. BEAR won't just give away a rescue to anyone, you will have to do paperwork, a meet and greet of the dog, and there is a home visit to make sure these dogs are going to a good safe home, if you think that is too much then you should look into getting a cat or fish or different breed, it's a small requirement considering alot of these dogs have been abused or neglected. And the word abused has been so over-used that it's lost its meaning, but I know for a fact they had an Akita from Memphis TN that was shot with a shotgun!!! He has since recovered BECAUSE of the efforts of BEAR! BEAR does their absolute hardest to find out about the history of the dog not only for the sake of the future family they may go to but it's a liability issue, they can't and won't just take an aggressive Akita and place him into a home with small children etc!! I got my best friend, Loki, from BEAR and I take him with me everywhere! He's my fourth Akita and I'd do anything for him including laying my life on the line for him because I know he'd do the same for me!!!

April Zay

We were looking to adopt another Akita after my first had passed away and I found BEAR. When I filled out the paperwork online saying I was interested in adopting an Akita, I received a wonderful phone call from JoAnn and we discussed my needs, she wanted to know all about my family and took the time to make sure that she was able to place a dog that would be suitable for my family and lifestyle. I originally was thinking of getting a slightly older Akita, but she suggested we adopt a puppy and she had a 4 mos. old female she thought would make a great fit. She wanted to make sure that with growing kids, we had an Akita that would be able to grow and adapt with the family. I really felt like JoAnn cared about our needs as well as the needs of the dogs, and wanted to make sure that we would be a good fit. We adopted Franny from a litter that was being fostered by one a wonderful woman in PA, and I have stayed in touch with her, as well as the families that adopted Franny's litter mates. As part of the adoption process I went through a home visit with one of BEAR's volunteers, and I was even able to reach out to him when I had questions on training and discipline as Franny was getting older. When my husband and I had adopted our 1st Akita through a different rescue organization (not breed specific), we never heard from them again after the adoption process. With BEAR we were immediately added to the FB group, and became part of a community of Akita people. We had breed experience before adopting, but JoAnn and others involved with BEAR made sure that we had the education needed to make a commitment to the life of such a stoic and loyal breed. Being part of this community has allowed us to feel comfortable asking questions and getting advice on challenging behaviors and sharing everyday life of having an Akita (I now have 2!) Thanks so to JoAnn and BEAR!

Bill Vandivner

Amazing work being done by these people! We have adopted 4 babies from them and will never look anywhere else. The care compassion and love shown by these folks is unmatched. Honest dependable and trustworthy these people are the salt of the earth. Be prepared for the dogs come first because everything they do is based on what is best for the dogs. LOVE them!!!

Fred Eckroth

We have adopted 3 akita from BEAR so far...they are hands down the most knowledgeable when it comes to this breed. The passion and love that goes into each and every akita that comes thru that rescue is amazing. The Akita are an honorable breed ...to have BEAR fighting for that breed is indeed worthy of that honor.