Big East Akita Rescue has provided us with the perfect addition to our pack. We were told up front that the dog we were considering was deaf and heart worm positive. Jo gave us the the necessary records and also the guidance needed to make our girl’s transition seamless. Kacie Rose has become an invaluable member of our pack and anytime a question comes up BEAR is right there with an answer, even helping with our older Akita that we got elsewhere. We highly recommend Big East Akita Rescue for their dedication to not only the dogs but also to their future forever families!

They work very hard to save as many Akitas as humanly possible from being euthanized at these animal shelters.. Big East Akita Rescue also fights for the lives of Akitas being cruelly extorted by money hungry puppy mills in the eastern US.. My current Akita Jax life was saved by the wonderful people at BEAR and those who are in their network doing work of true Angels..

I adopted my bestfriend from these remarkable people that absolutely go out of thier way to care for these homeless dogs and place them in the RIGHT hands to find a home.I have had 2 Akitas before. And still the owner took the time to make sure that we were a good fit and gave me advice which I ignored.My mistake.The owner of the rescue told me to give the dog time to adjust because he might bite.Never had that problem before so I blew it off.I raised one from a pup. And took in another rescue after he died. What could she tell me.Well after a 4 hr ride home I let him out in my fenced in yard and when he came back in I mistakenly brushed a black spot off of his tail that I thought was a tick.He walked across the kitchen turned back looked at me and ran back and bit my knee.Then we looked at eachother and said to ourselves that was a mistake and understood eachother. I think that we both knew that we made a mistake. Me and my dog to be.BUT THE OWNER OF THE SHELTER WAS RIGHT.ALSO IF YOU DONT EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE GETTING A AKITA YOU SHOULDNT OWN ONE. ITS A LIFETIME COMMITMENT UNTIL THE VERY END. ALSO YOU DONT DISCIPLINE A AKITA BY YELLING OR HITTING THEM. YOU DO IT WITH LOVE AND A SUPPORTIVE AND CONTROLLED VOICE.I hope that you make a friend like I have and thank these people that gave thier time to save these dogs for you. Please dont get a Akita unless your knowledgeable of this breed. They are very loving but very protective and do shed alot. Please please dont get a dog and return it. You have to be committed to all personalities of each dog. There different. Even in the breed. Thank you.

My brother rescued from you all - my brother recently passed and you amazing people gave Sammy a chance to live out his life - forever. You all took him back in when he himself had lost his best friend and Sammy was blessed by being adopted a week after returning to your loving, life saving care - you all have moved me beyond words and provided peace, for my brother, for Sammy, for myself.I will be making a donation in the next few weeks, in my brothers name, in Sammy’s name - both loved forever in my heart and I am blessed by your organization and your adopters, every single one.Without you all and placing him so quickly, Sammy may have lived out his days without family - a hurt so deep for my brother that would have never brought him rest, or peace... he loved Sammy with all of his heart and your organization - it is clear to see why...

Jo is absolutely fantastic, and Ill explain why. Shes more than extremely knowledgable about the breed. She takes the time to answer EVERY question you have and was very patient with someone like myself who had done some research but had no experience. Shes a very nice person and treats everyone with the utmost respect. She frequently spent time on the phone with me helping me understand everything adopting entails. Furthermore, she planned a whole day around our drive out to BEAR. If you get the chance to apply and visit, you will be more than amazed at her generosity and kindness. I adopted a beautiful female Akita from her and Jo was a godsend every step of the way, up to the hug before I got in the car. Treat her with respect, she deserves it. And if you start there which should be a given, you will have the best experience adopting an Akita you could possibly ask for.

A wonderful organization. Im looking for another rescue Akita

STAY AWAY! I have owned Akitas for over 20 years. I adopted an Akita from BEAR after being subjected to the overzealous scrutiny of a woman named Joanne who runs this place. Although she obviously loves dogs, I found her aura to be over the edge and borderline obsessive. Anyway, I adopted a dog which Joanne told me was ok with other dogs. She even said how the dog interacted frequently with other dogs in the kennel. A short time later, I found her statement to be a lie. I had the dog in my possession on a leash. I am a 6 foot, 200 lb man and can handle a dog. Another dog came nearby and the Akita seemed fine. As I spoke to the other dog owner, the Akita pulled over me in a dash and pulled the leash off my arm so hard that I suffered injury to my shoulder. The Akita attacked another dog viciously and me and another man had to lie on the Akita to keep it from further attack. I called Joanne, who instantly became defensive and confrontational, blaming the attack on me being irresponsible. After several minutes of Joannes rambling and unreasonable berating, she agreed to take back the dog. A year later, I tried to adopt a different Akita in a different state. I was honest in the application about the Akita from BEAR. One of the self proclaimed Akita experts from the new shelter apparently Joanne and Joanne once again lied to the new shelter, stating I was irresponsible and left the Akita off its leash. The new shelter refused to let me adopt the new dog despite the fact that they approved my adoption application before talking to Joanne. Find another place if looking for an Akita and stay away from Joanne. She is vindictive and blatantly dishonest and it is because of gatekeepers like her who claim to be self anointed dog and pet owner experts that shelters are full of dogs.

Thought about adopting a while back before this covid nonsense. What I got was a lecture about prices and why the dog wasnt a right fit dor someone like me(primary care provider for dogs since 7). The lady was really snobby I guess people had wasted her time that week but not me. Anyway came back to say got my puppy anyway! And to think this could have been one of your rescues instead. Hes loving life, healthy and accident free.So in general stop being so preachy and try listening. Phantom says hi(super friendly with otter dogs, yet somehow still protective, very good at picking out good vs bad ppl)

Joann and her team/family are a Godsend. They routinely save these noble creatures whom we dont deserve. They are more respectful of us than we can ever be of them. We dont deserve DOGS!

I have own Akitas for the last 20 years, the most recent we obtained frombig east. The 2 year-old male was 45 pounds when Joanne got him. He was about 90 pounds when we adopted him. She said he was cat friendly, he is, she said he was a talker he is, everything she told my wife and I about the dog was exactly on point. Now, the breed is an Akita, so some things will occur, if you have experience with the breed not a problem. Anyone that says she doesnt tell you everything she knows about the dog is well--- no being honest with either their interaction with Akitas or his experience with Big east!

Ive gotten so many wonderful additions to my family from these incredible people.

I have adopted 2 wonderful Akitas from BEAR. Jo and her family go way above and beyond for these gentle fluffy giants. I can’t praise them enough for the loving care they provide for this majestic breed. Just amazing

If I could do less than 1 star, I would. The best interest of the breed and for Rose, has not been considered whatsoever, which tells me egos and money are their priority and NOT what is in the best for Roses special needs or recovery. BEAR had NOT been involved in Roses care, had not even MET Rose, and supposedly has placed her in a family home who has experience with Akitas. Not THIS Akita. NO ONE in this supposedly experienced family has MET Rose. NO ONE at BEAR had been involved other than to demand the dog be turned over with ZERO regard for the fact that her doctors are here in Ohio, that her foster is here in Ohio and that there was an adopter here in Ohio that they didnt even BOTHER to review her application. NO ONE has contacted the foster to get any assessment on Roses temperament, any special needs due to her injury / surgery recovery. A rather aggressive process of we want the dog in an hour is the bullying tactics BEAR used regarding Rose and ZERO explanation to WHY and HOW yanking an already skittish dog from a foster and home where she felt safe (which they admitted to on their own Facebook posts about Rose and her sister Gypsy needing to stay together and concerns of separation anxiety!) which went from we want to pick her up Saturday to we are coming to get her in an hour at 8pm on a Wednesday night. If BEAR had bothered to do legit due diligence on Roses care and her recovery, they would have learned that the foster AND the adopter have been involved in Roses care from her surgery up until this past Friday. The foster and adopter both have a support system of people who work in the vet field, direct access to Roses doctors, have experience with reactive dogs, rescue dogs, and once Rose settled in, she began to thrive, become playful and had been introduced to multiple dogs and various situations to start working on her reactivity. There definitely could have been discussion about including Gypsy in this process. There is a wealth of knowledge about Rose that BEAR couldnt give a flip about. They simply WANT THE DOG NOW. It seems people who have obtained dogs from BEAR are pretty content, but this side of their business is dark, bullying, and unacceptable. A little research about BEAR is enlightening to the exact type of rescue they are. Now that Rose has been shuttled back to NJ, if this family doesnt work out or Rose fails in some way thats not her fault, BEAR hasnt even bothered to acknowledge that Roses Ohio people would want the opportunity to have her back.

You will not find a more compassionate knowledge and capable Akita Rescue person than Joanne. Hands down she is the best. Kudos to JD.

I can’t say enough good things about BEAR. I have adopted a dog from BEAR who was a sweet gem of a dog. She was a little young and untrained but that was clearly stated prior to adoption. My wife and I received amazing support along the way as she became a wonderful ambassador to the breed. I follow the rescue in Facebook and it’s both gut wrenching and uplifting what this rescue does to help these dogs. Rescue organizations are angels for these dogs and BEAR cares more for the dogs than they do the people so don’t be turned off if they are brusk once in a while. Lots of dogs need saving.

This rescue has to be the best. They care and do so much to help the Akitas in need. They are truly angels!

Be warned: if you dare to surrender your dog to give him a better life, you will be made to feel horrible about yourself by the owner of the rescue and every one of her rabid followers who dont know you or your circumstances. I surrendered my Akita to one of the rescues representatives due to being pregnant and his behavioral issues that I did not have time to correct. On their Facebook page, they claimed he was pound bound and not fed enough and the owner of the rescue even joined in with all of her trolling members to tear me apart and make me out to be a horrible dog abuser. When in reality I did the best I could and no one even knows anything about my circumstances. We actually rescued the dog when he was 4 months old and saved his life. I have 3 other pets and he was the only one with behavioral issues and he needed a home with someone who had more time and knowledge of the breed. The pound was 20 minutes away and I could have easily taken him there, but instead I contacted their representative in Colorado to help my former pet. I drove 6 hours round trip to deliver him safely. My husband is about to get laid off and we are going to have to move out of state and start a family and it was the best choice for his well being. He was a surrender and not a rescue. He was loved and worked with and groomed for 2 years and came them house/crate trained and knowing basic commands. He is a great dog and deserved more than we could give. And if thats a hanging crime then take me to the gallows for making a humane decision.

I have had several years of experience with these beautiful akitas. Our first one. Rokko. Lived for 12 years. We wanted to rescue a akita from Bear. I do appreciate the intensive application process. I totally understand why they do it. I know a lot of people who want them. Then, they realize they cant handle them. The Akita is the one who sadly looses in the end. Im extremely grateful for Bear. For finding permanent loving homes for this genuinely beautiful animal. We really wanted to adopt from Bear. The process was to long. We ended up buying a akita puppy. Who is now 6 years old. Weighs 135 lbs. He is absolutely beautiful inside and out. I know these dogs very well. There are several dos and donts. I will always own a akita for the rest of my life. My next akita will be a rescue. I will get it. From Bear. Because of how serious and dedicated they are. When it comes to saving them. Bringing them back to health. Mentally, emotionally and physically. Bear, knows what they are doing. There main priority is to make sure they are placed in the happiest, safest and loving home. With someone who will do exactly that. Though I didnt get a akita from them. Yes, I thought the application process was to long. I understand they take the adoption process very seriously. Which is important for this breed. Again, my next akita. Will be a rescue from Bear. Thank you very much Bear. For caring and giving everything you have to these beautiful animals. I love them. Sincerely, Joe Marengo.

Great caring people

I have had 2 Akitas, and they are the best dogs I have ever had, so long as they are raised in a loving enviorment. I have had a lot of experience and knowledge of the breed. I love what they do for these Akitas and that the organization is very compassionate. Very happy for all the families and Akitas that have gotten homes. However, my experience with BEAR was not so great. They found an Akita in my state of MS being taken care of by a local vet. He had some health issues, which I was more than willing to overlook and have him taken care of. So I filled out the adoption forms, had many conversations with Joanne at BEAR, and was assured he would be ours as we met all requirements and were the first on the list. They stated they would have one of their affiliates here do the home visit. However, without explanation, they shipped him back to NJ (1300 miles away) knowing he was 10 minutes from my home and that it would not be possible for me to travel that far to get him. Then, they disregarded all my calls when asking about it. They could have at least given me the common courtesy and explained. If there was a more suitable family, I would completely understand. To be given no call back or explanation was very unprofessional and I was very disappointed.

For almost a decade now, I have watched in awe and admiration, the commitment, love, and dedication of Big East Akita Rescue.’♥️I’m always astonished anew at the high numbers of Akitas being saved & rehomed thanks to this compassionate organization.Many of us anguished, as we witnessed, over the years so many Akitas who were severely mistreated, starved, or in dire need of drastic medical care. The wonderful care and transformation of these poor SOULS by B.E.A.R is immeasurable and restoresmy faith in humanity..I’m especially appreciative & grateful for B.E.A.Rs hands-on, diligent vetting of prospective adopters, so as to ensure their orphans are placed in the ‘beary’ B.E.S.T homes. Its most uplifting seeing all the happy endings stories and new family pupdates, that are continuously shared on B.E.A.Rs FB page/website.The transformations are REMARKABLE, so much so that I felt compelled to write this review while attaching some before and after pictures....If I could I would give B.E.A.R a 100 stars…God Bless this rescue, its supporters, volunteers and ALL of the caring rescue angels out there.🙏

Sent an email looking for help with older Akita, and received an insensitive response.. you be the judge below. This is what a professional response is?At the age of 13 this akita is a senior and at the end of his life. Rehoming a house pet at this age is unfair to this akita. All he knows is a home, putting him in cement kennel run is not kind. Leavening him at a over crowed shelter is not fair to him to be killed by strangers . The owners need to step up and do what is right and be responsible . They need to hold their senior dog in their arms at the vets and say a peaceful goodbye.

Jo and her family and volunteers are angels to many a discarded andforlorn once proud Akita!Amazingly, she nurses their body and spirit to health as can be seen in the manyphotos of happy, healthy rescued Aklitas with their new proud loving parents.God bless B.E.A.R. and Mrs Dimon!

We adopted our boy Yuki from BEAR in January of 2017. JoAnn and everyone at BEAR are top notch Akita People, they know the breed and they know the dogs that they have in their care. The process for adoption may seem a bit laborious to the novice, but everything is done the way it is to ensure a positive long term outcome for the dogs and their new families. We could not be happier that we were matched with Yuki, hes the perfect fit for us. Thanks BEAR!

First, I have reached out to JoAnn at Big East Akita Rescue on many occasions when I have seen an akita in need of help. She has ALWAYS stepped up to help every dog that I have told her about, as well as many, many akitas in need in ALL areas of the US. Since other Akita rescues may be a little smaller than Big East, JoAnn in continually reaching out to help akitas in areas where there may be other akita rescue organizations, but since they are limited, Jo Ann always gets help for the dogs that are in dire need. I saw a negative comment above by WILLIAM DANIEL and must reply, as first of all I agree that a 13 YEAR OLD DOG should NEVER be just dumped at rescue or a shelter. For Gods sake, that animal has been with his family his entire life, and just when they get old or have health issues, it is not fair or human to DUMP that dog ANYWHERE!!!! Since his comment mentions that it was in COLORADO, I am not sure which Akita Rescue he even spoke with, but I AGREE that a senior Akita should not be left anywhere because an owner has decided they dont want to step up and take care of their dog when they are not as young and healthy any longer. If you own a dog, it is a commitment ...through thick and thin, healthy or not, until you do the humane thing an let them go. Anything less is UNACCEPTABLE. If a person is unable to make that commitment, DONT get a dog!!!! For this William Daniel to then criticize Big East Rescue, or ANY OTHER RESCUE, for telling him that he should NOT DUMP HIS SENIOR DOG, is RIDICULOUS!!!!! He is the one in the WRONG!!! PERIOD!! If Mr. Daniel does not want to care for his aging Akita, and this poor senior has health issues and is uncomfortable, talk to your vet about ways to make him comfortable in his elder years, and if it is not possible to help the dog medically, then put his peacefully to sleep so he does not suffer. One does not just DUMP an older dog because they are not young anymore! Shame on him!! I hope anyone who has read Mr. Daniels post above, has now read my post to see how wrong he is to feel like the rescue let him down in any way! Big East helps dogs every single day.... they take the worst and sacrifice many hours of time and money to help all of the dogs they can. I highly recommend JoAnn and her volunteers for everything they do to help theses animals.

Truly aweful rescue with no integrity or care for the actual welfare of these animals.

Got my latest Akita there!

Very thorough dog care

They do great work

Great people, very caring!

Cant wait to visit

Nice place

There are not enough stars !!!