TikiHut Akita Rescue Association (TARA)
Our Mission
TikiHut Akita Rescue Association (TARA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, animal welfare and education organization located in the Northern California/San Francisco Bay Area, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of orphaned Akitas.
Our group is comprised of a handful of volunteers and foster homes. The members in our organization have come together because of the passion we share for the Akita breed. Our breed is respected and treated as royalty in their native Japan, but here in this country, so many of them sit alone in the local shelters, waiting to die. Each of our members (and their spouses and families), work tirelessly to save the many Akitas that end up in these shelters.
In addition to rehoming and rehabilitating these wonderful dogs, we also dedicate our efforts to educating the public about the breed, including but not limited to, the importance of spaying and neutering, proper nutrition, genetic issues plaguing our breed and behavior and training information.
Each Akita we bring into our program undergoes a thorough health exam, is spayed or neutered, brought up to date medically, and is worked with for basic obedience and socialization. We crate train all our pups and put them through basic puppy classes. All our dogs are microchipped before they are adopted.
The Akitas we take in come from all walks of life. Some have been abused and neglected and some have come from well known breeders. It is a huge misconception that all dogs that come from rescue are all problem dogs. We have seen some of the most wonderfully tempered Akitas come out of these shelters, and we hope we can give many more a second chance at the life they never had.
Adoption Policy
We first request that you complete and return an Adoption Application. Our application is designed to help us get acquainted with you. Since Akitas can be independent and strong-willed, they are not the breed for everyone. Owning an Akita requires a greater degree of responsibility than what is required for many other breeds.
This application helps us determine if the Akita breed and the particular dog you are inquiring about, is appropriate for your family. We realize that some of the questions are personal. This is because the better acquainted we are with you, the better we are able to match up the appropriate Akita personality for your lifestyle and individual needs. By all means, please feel free to ask questions of your own.
Do we adopt out of state?
Because we require that all family members and resident animals meet the Akita, and the fact that we do not ship our dogs, makes it difficult logistically for us to adopt out of state. We will however, adopt to surrounding states if it is within a reasonable (8 hours or so) driving distance.
How long does it take once you return your application?
We receive a large volume of applications and inquiries. At the same time, we are also fielding many calls about Akitas in shelters and calls from individuals needing help rehoming their Akitas. Your patience is appreciated while we review your application. Please allow three to four weeks for processing during this time. The actual adoption process can take several weeks to months, depending on whether we have a suitable Akita for you.
What happens after your application is received?
Your application will be reviewed and if the Akita that you're interested in appears to be a good potential match for your family and lifestyle, a volunteer will contact you via phone.
This gives us a chance to get to know you further, and will give you the opportunity to find out more about the Akita you're applying for.
Please understand that the process is not on a first come, first served basis. Our focus and priority is based on what's best for the dog, not about who contacts us first. We may have other Akitas that may be a more suitable match for you and we may recommend that particular dog.
If we determine the dog you are interested in might be appropriate for you, a home visit is then conducted, and then a meeting between you and the Akita is arranged. We insist that all family members and resident animals be present during the meeting. Sometimes contrary to what we think might be the perfect home, a resident dog may think otherwise. If all goes well, an Adoption Contract is then completed.