Who We Are
Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation began as Kansas City Akita Rescue seventeen years ago to help save and re-home as many lovely Akita orphans as possible by Maryan Shumway and her brother Jack Lacy. About seventeen years ago Suzie and Randy Long met Maryan, and adopted their first Akita from her. Within months they were fostering rescue dogs and learning the rescue ropes. One year later Randy and Suzie stepped in for Maryan and Jack as they were now retired and unable to keep up with rescue.
Since then we have turned our lives upside-down to help rescue and re-home as many deserving orphans as we can. We do not believe in killing homeless dogs, or any other dogs for convenience. We also feel strongly that even the lowliest of older orphans deserve as much human tenderness and love as their limited time allows for.
Many dogs that have never seen an Akita are dumped or found in the middle of the night and they recieve the same love and care as anyone else, so we are now the AARF (Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation) trying to fill the void for all the deserving animals we can.
All the dogs in our charge are happy and healthy with lots of fresh food, water, treats and love. All are up to date on their vaccinations, parasite free, and on monthly heartworm preventive. All are touched, pet, loved and socialized. Each individual dog here has a large outdoor exercise area with a comfy house and shade.
No dogs are adopted out without being spayed or neutered. We will continue to do our best to provide for these forgotten dogs as well as the younger dogs we are able to assist. I operate my own hair and beauty business in the "big city", and care for our furries out on my land in rural Kansas. The dogs have shared me with some other rescued critters; a horse, a pony, and a couple grizzly old pot belly pigs, several chickens, and many ferel cats over the years! Our newest species is a rescued parrot!
We are eternally grateful for the help of the kind volunteers, donors, and foster homes who have given of themselves for the dogs. We are now a federally recognized 501C(3) not for profit charitable foundation, and donations may be tax deductable!
Shortly after the passing of Randy in September of 2010, I was left with only Kindra to help me with the animals while still running the Hair Salon in Kansas City.
Kendra Olson has left us leaving only me to care for all the dogs on my own.Dave Dennis has taken a special interest in our work as a volunteer here at our Kansas facility. He is our Guardian Angel.and a Kansas City high school teacher.
Our deepest thanks to these and all the special volunteers, donors and supporters who help us do what we do with these wonderful Akitas! Volunteers to help us assist these intuitive, gentle beasts are always welcome.
Thank You,
Susan Long - President of the Board
Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation
