Comments on: A Response to AKC’s Massive Layoffs

By: Julie L Aune

Julie L Aune — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 15:34:56 +0000

I agree, Tom. AKC needs to consolidate all offices – all offices in same building or complex makes executive, administrative, operations and overhead costs much lower. It also makes communication, mission-building and morale immeasurably easier. Our organization and affiliated clubs need to refocus on providing value to members. I don’t agree with AKC, whose core mission of promoting purebred dogs through kennel and purebred dog registration, promoting mixed-breed companion dogs through sports. It encourages puppy mills, uneducated and unethical breeding of puppies for all the wrong reasons. Puppy sales have gone through the roof during COVID19 shutdown – sadly many will end up in rescue, shelter or abusive hands in near future as owners stress, domestic violence increases, and owners return to work/school. This could have been a meaningful moment for AKC to educate public via public service announcements and ad campaigns about caring for/owning puppies and dogs. Oddly, it should be the time for AKC to be the caring and sensible voice and heart of AKC breeders/owners. The result may be a pet market flooded by high-priced, poor quality puppies from poor quality breeding. There are so many issues AKC needs to prioritize more than high-cost rent, inefficient operating expenses and overhead. They can’t serve member priorities if there’s no one there to turn the lights on.

By: Denise Monette

Denise Monette — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 01:59:27 +0000

WOW. Waiting for the BK filing?

By: connie conn

connie conn — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 16:42:19 +0000

Akc has certainly gone to the dogs.So sorry you have lost so much of your revenue.This just gives you an excuse to raise the fees and registrations. If you don’t wake up in a few years you won’t have a well respected club. It is a shame that you have let all these odd colors and bad breeders register dogs. Look around it is the senior community that is keeping you alive.There use to be families at shows . Just continue putting your hand in every ones pocket and there won’t be anything left.Keep promoting handlers.It’s all about the money .Just wait. People won’t be able to sell pups at this time so they will cut back on breeding.It would have been nice for managment to find another way to keep their employees.Pay cuts from top executives would have shown concern for the fancy in general. Having experienced people is very important.Wake up.

By: Mary T

Mary T — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:49:19 +0000

Not surprised by AKC actions but all wrong
Never do u cut health insurance in times like this. Upper mgt needs fired with no severance. Eliminate NY city hi price offices. This organization is supposed 2 b 4 the betterment of dogs & it sure doesn’t look that way. Very disappointed but not surprised.

By: Kelli Miuse

Kelli Miuse — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:58:27 +0000

I am not surprised. AKC is a cash cow. I am relatively new to the sport of conformation. But that being said, I show French Bulldogs. The breed that seems to be just growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. AKC has no problem registering oodles and oddles of DQ colored dogs. It seems now there are more French Bulldogs that are being touted as “rare” than the standard. When in truth, the breeders that health test, breed to standard, and adhere to the breed standard are the ones that are “rare.” AKC could surely pay staff for a while on just the money collected on registering these abominations. We won’t even talk about the fact that registrations keep going up. AKC is supposed to be the GOLD STANDARD, yet look at how they’re running things. They don’t even go by the standard they accept and list from parent clubs.

By: Sharon Montville

Sharon Montville — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 06:51:53 +0000

I’ll back Tom on this one. Jim, you’re correct – AKC is not alone in this predicament. However, it appears that non-profits DO qualify for CARES Act. If the AKC cares about their employees, they can apply for help. My family-held manufacturing company is in the process of applying…it’s sort of complicated. But what else are you doing right now??? Support your employees!!!! The bottom line is that ALL employers need to do everything they can to support their employees; the good news is, the government is actually helping. However, the early bird gets the worm – employers need to apply NOW!! There are limited funds in this first bill. I hope AKC officials see this. https://independentsector.org/resource/caresact/

By: Bill Felins

Bill Felins — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 02:55:03 +0000

NYC offices. Ivory tower.

By: Barbara Horsey

Barbara Horsey — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:00:00 +0000

How sad and disappointing these actions by the AKC appear. I am confident that there was fat at the top that could have been trimmed.

I hope everyone laid off/fired will survive and even advance themselves from this impersonal actions. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. God bless us all.

By: Cindy Curry

Cindy Curry — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 22:35:06 +0000

I Would like to know if Dennis B. Sprung is taking a paycut. The AKC has treated their field reps poorly for years. And yes, it’s stupid to have the New York offices.

By: Jean Eichenlaub

Jean Eichenlaub — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 22:27:39 +0000

Think the response is right on. My impression for some time has been upper management was just interested in their soft jobs in an expensive city.