We have been made aware of a new phishing scam and want to assist you and your Club members in ensuring you do not fall victim to this. Therefore, we are re-sending a message we’ve previously distributed and ask that you circulate it amongst your members as the best prevention for these scams is education.
Please make sure that anyone in your Club who has access to Club accounts is aware that they should never disburse any money due to an unexpected email without first verbally verifying with the presumed sender of the email. So, for example, if you receive an email that says it’s from the Club President asking for money to be wired to a third party, do not send any money until you personally have spoken to the Club President about the request.
It is also very important that everyone in your organization knows the warning signs of a fraudulent email. These emails may not only ask for funds, but they may provide links or attachments that install malware or coerce the recipient into providing their login information. This infographic provides a great description of email “red flags”:
Please note that although these kinds of attacks are often referred to as “hacks”, they are actually perpetrated using publicly available information, e.g., Club Officer information, which can be easily obtained using a simple Google search. “Hack” implies that someone was able to break into a secured system and gain access to information that is not publicly available (for example, registration information, personal information, credit card information).
Let us assure you that the AKC goes to great lengths to ensure the security of this information. We have a formal security program in place, including a third-party audit by a certified CyberSecurity Assessor. We have threat protection systems in place, and mandatory security education for AKC staff, taken annually. While no company can proclaim to be 100% secure (just ask Target, Yahoo or Sony), AKC’s technology team considers security to be a top priority and works feverishly to protect the data of the company and of our members, customers, partners and constituents.
While our specific security details are necessarily confidential, please feel free to reach out to William Hile directly (Willliam.Hile@akc.org) if you have any questions or concerns.
ESAA’s
Board of Directors has recently heard concerns that dogs are being flown
to competitions as service dogs without certification or without a
person with a disability. Since this practice reflects badly on our
breed and the sport, we thought it expedient to share AKC’s Canine
Legislation Position Statement on the Misuse of Service Dogs with our
membership:
AKC Canine Legislation Position Statement
MISUSE OF SERVICE DOGS
Service dogs are defined as those that are individually
trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The
AKC® strongly supports public accommodations that allow individuals with
disabilities to use service dogs.
The AKC strongly condemns characterizing dogs as service
animals when they are not, or attempting to benefit from a dog’s service
dog status when the individual using the dog is not a person with a
disability.
Characterizing
dogs as service animals when they are not, or taking advantage of a
service dog’s status by an individual without the disability, is strongly
condemned by AKC and would be a clear violation of ESAA’s Code of Ethics.
Thank
you for your cooperation and understanding of the seriousness of this
issue.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bradford Brady Director of Development & Communications AKC Canine Health Foundation Phone: 919-334-4023 E-mail: bradford.brady@akcchf.org
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Joins AKC Canine Health Foundation to Support Canine Health Research Fellowships
RALEIGH, NC (May 30, 2018) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization committed to better health for all dogs, is pleased to accept a $50,000 donation from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) in support of CHF’s Clinician Scientist Fellowship Program. With this donation, OFA surpasses $500,000 in cumulative contributions to CHF over a productive 20-year partnership.
The OFA has generously supported CHF research on numerous canine health topics including musculoskeletal disease, thyroid disease, genetics, oncology, and neurology. The foundations co-sponsored the creation of the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), which partners with American Kennel Club (AKC) parent breed clubs for research and to maintain information on health issues of dogs. OFA has also sponsored the Veterinary Student Scholarship program, hosting students from US schools of veterinary medicine to attend CHF’s biennial National Parent Club Canine Health Conference.
“Understanding the need to develop and support the next generation of researchers, the OFA is especially pleased to announce a $50,000 contribution to the AKC CHF’s Clinician Scientist Fellowship Program,” states OFA Chief Operating Officer, Eddie Dziuk.
CHF makes it a priority to encourage and support educational opportunities for trainees in canine health research. The Clinician Scientist Fellowship Program was established in 2012 to provide financial support to residents and graduate students demonstrating promise and enthusiasm for pursuing a career in canine health research. CHF collaborates with the AKC and the Theriogenology Foundation to provide educational grants for residency programs in theriogenology (animal reproductive health) and clinical genetics. CHF also provides support for veterinary students through educational grants for canine health research projects mentored by foundation staff or CHF-funded researchers. These examples of CHF’s funding for educational programs ensure that their mission to prevent, treat and cure canine disease will endure for years to come.
“Investing in the next generation of scientists is a vital part of our mission,” says Dr. Diane Brown, Chief Executive Officer of CHF. “We welcome the OFA’s shared commitment to encourage and support these young researchers. Together, we are making a positive impact on the future for canine health.”
Dziuk says the OFA “can think of no better collaborative partner than CHF in our joint efforts to advance the health of dogs.”
To learn more about CHF’s commitment to training grants for future scientists, please see CHF’s educational grants.
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About CHF
Since 1995, the Raleigh, NC-based AKC Canine Health Foundation has leveraged the power of science and research to improve the lives of dogs. The Foundation works to prevent, treat and cure diseases that impact all dogs, while providing professional information and resources for a new breed of dog owner. Take action because you care; find out more online at www.akcchf.org. About OFA
Founded in 1966, the OFA mission is to promote the health and welfare of companion animals through a reduction in the incidence of genetic disease. This is accomplished through maintenance of an extensive database of canine genealogic and phenotypic information, a DNA repository for research and testing, and funding research on numerous canine health concerns.
Established in 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation's (CHF) mission is to advance the health of all dogs and their owners by funding scientific research and supporting the dissemination of canine health information.
