"A nation can best be judged by how it treats its animals" ... Gandhi
We do this for the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation, a 501C-3 non profit and a Kansas licensed shelter, though we look at it a bit more as a sanctuary, not only for the dogs, but the wildlife on our 81 acres as well. Sadly, we are the only licensed SHELTER in Osage County. You don't want to know what they call animal control.
Our event has always been an eclectic music and camping celebration of the dogs benefiting the AARF Sanctuary which is located on the 81 acre farm that is home to all the rescued animals and their friends and caretakers, Randy Long, Suzie Long and Kendra Olson at the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation. This is a multi-faceted, pet-friendly all ages event designed to raise awareness of crucial animal welfare issues as well as, hopefully raising much needed funds for the dogs. Dogstock has become an exciting and much anticipated community event each festival.
Everyone comments on the peaceful, happy vibe. One of the main goals of AARF is to raise community awareness of this and other rescue groups' efforts and to highlight the availability of healthy animals looking for good homes that are in shelters and rescues. Saving a life is a pretty cool thing to do.
Far more animals can be saved through education than all the hands on work put together though and the universal language of music is what we put our faith in to uplift hearts and minds. Animal lovers are always invited to bring their lucky dog to the festival, however all pets must be spayed/neutered and have a current vaccination record and all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
As an aside I would note we feed 800 lbs of premium kibble per week along with 10 gallons of freshly cooked jambalaya each day. We are currently caring for close to 80 dogs, a pony and a rescued abused parrot along with the most unique "pride" of feral kitties you've ever seen.
Though we rescue more Akitas than not, we have many mixes as well as some horribly neglected and abused dogs dropped off in the middle of the night. It warms our hearts to see how these dogs blossom under our care as we work on their rehabilitation and resocialization.
We also specialize in special needs dogs and older dogs. These are some of the most rewarding relationships we develop. We have stories that are so wonderful including an elderly Akita we adopted to a family with a seriously epileptic child. The dog started predicting his seizures and getting help! Before he succumbed to old age Jake had "cured" the boy of his seizures.
Other stories include folks who adopted a dog one day and the next were protected from intruders. Dogs give us unconditional love and when we allow 8 to ten million to be killed yearly because they were inconvenient that is unforgivable. Endless puppy mill breeding in the Midwest along with some real lunatic backyard breeders are perpetuating this situation along with owners who don't take their responsibilities seriously. Because we are rural, we have few volunteers and fewer donors, so all help is appreciated more than you can imagine. Most importantly through our efforts including Dogstock we have fought to provide a voice for the voiceless animals tortured exploited and killed every day with Kansas in the lead!
DOGSTOCK HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FEW DOG FRIENDLY EVENTS LEFT! AS LONG AS YOUR DOG IS UP TO DATE ON SHOTS, NOT AGGRESSIVE OR IN HEAT AND ON LEASH HE OR SHE IS WELCOME! JUST REMEMBER THE HEAT AND THE NOISE AND GIVE 'EM A BREAK NOW AND THEN!
Rural property - enter at your own risk ... be sure to bring your OFF!
SCENES FROM PRIOR DOGSTOCK EVENTS HERE AT THE SANCTUARY AND CAMPGROUND!
..
WE ARE FACING FORECLOSURE AS WELL AS A HOSTILE ANTI-RESCUE ENVIRONMENT!!! HELP!!!
SPONSORS, DONORS, FOSTER HOMES, CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, AND ALL KINDS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ASAP TO HELP THE FURRIES AND SAVE THE SHELTER!!! ANYONE INTERESTED IN PUTTING HIS OR HER TIME OR EFFORTS TO GREATER USE, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: 785-746-5592, OR 785-746-5601. randog@wildblue.net
VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME AT OUR SANCTUARY! DONATIONS OF TIME, DOG GROOMING, DOG WALKING, REPAIR AND RENOVATIONS, TALENT, MONEY AND SUPPLIES ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED AND NEEDED. PLEASE SEND ANY MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
AARF HUMANE SANCTUARY
6206 E. 317TH STREET
MELVERN, KANSAS 66510
You will receive a tax receipt for donations.
PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT FIRST AS THIS IS OUR HOME AS WELL, AND WE DON'T ALLOW ANYONE HERE IN OUR ABSENCE.
DIRECTIONS TO THE AARF HUMANE SANCTUARY
From KANSAS CITY
Take I-35 south on just over an hour's drive
(depending on where you start from in KC) past Olathe, Edgerton,
Gardner, Wellsville, Baldwin City, Ottawa and Homewood to the
Williamsburg / Pomona exit (170). At the end of the off ramp turn right
on John Brown Road . After the Sinclair it turns to gravel. Continue four
miles to S. Stanley Road . Just before the intersection you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn right or north on Stanley .
Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley and continue roughly a
quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
ORIGINAL KANSAS (PROTO~KAW) WITH KERRY LIVGREN DOING TWO SONGS THEY FIRST PLAYED LONG BEFORE THE NAME "KANSAS" MEANT ANYTHING MORE THAN PRAIRIE, WHEAT, ETC.
From TOPEKA
Take 75 south about forty miles to the Melvern Lake /
Melvern exit (31). Turn left toward Melvern at end of off ramp (4
miles). At stop sign continue east (forward), crossing railroad tracks
as road turns to gravel. Continue three miles to S. Shawnee Heights.
Turn south (right) on Shawnee Heights . Go one mile and turn east
(left) on 317th. Just before going a mile on 317th, you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn left or north at the Stanley
Road intersection. Ignoring that sign you will turn left or north and
proceed roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
THE COMMANDER WITH HIS HOT ROD LINCOLN!
From LAWRENCE
Take 59 south about twenty five miles to Ottawa . Turn
right on 68. Follow the signs and you will continue on 68 from Ottawa
through Pomona and into Osage County . One mile into the county 68 turns
south (left) to Quenemo. Continue forward when 68 turns back west
(right). DO NOT CONTINUE ON 68! Going forward (south) you will cross
the railroad tracks and the road turns to gravel. You are on Stubbs
Road . Continue about four miles to 317th. Turn west (right). In just
under a mile you will see a sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn
right or north on Stanley . Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley
and continue roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
From EMPORIA (and Wichita)
Take I-35 N (actually east) about 35 miles to the
Williamsburg / Pomona exit (170). At the end of the off ramp turn left
going back under I-35, past the Sinclair. The road turns to gravel. You
are on John Brown Road which turns into 317th in two miles. You will go
four miles past the Sinclair to Stanley Road . Just before the
intersection you will see a sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn
right or north on Stanley . Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley
and continue roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
DAVE PATMORE JOINS LEGENDARY TULL LEADER, IAN ANDERSON & BAND TO PERFORM A PATMORE ORIGINAL - UPTOWN THEATRE KC
From BURLINGTON
Take 75 north about 25 miles to the Melvern Lake /
Melvern exit (31). Turn left toward Melvern at end of off ramp (4
miles). At stop sign continue east (forward), crossing railroad tracks
as road turns to gravel. Continue three miles to S. Shawnee Heights.
Turn south (right) on Shawnee Heights . Go one mile and turn east
(left) on 317th. Just before going a mile on 317th, you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn left or north at the Stanley
Road intersection. Ignoring that sign you will turn left or north and
proceed roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
Influences
dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, rock, folk, blues, jam, bluegrass, progressive rock, jazz ...
About PLEASE HELP SAVE AARF VOLUNTEERING OR CONTRIBUTING
Hey Guys,
Thanks for being a part of our little community of musicians, animals, the planet and those who love them. We have enjoyed bringing you the best in local to international music along with groovy and friendly camping, and a chance to spend a long week end with your significant canine other digging the music and the eighty acres for several years now.
We hope one way or another to continue the tradition eventually, but for the moment we have a few challenges to overcome. This is your invitation to cut through the crap and really do something for those unfortunate dogs with no home and even less of a voice!
We have so far been unable to raise the money necessary to put on Dogstock Music Festival benefiting Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation plus Animal Sanctuary this year as we face foreclosure and more. We need help and donations of all kinds to keep the rescue going (and keep our home), let alone the festie.
We want to do an online auction of celebrity memorabilia, get some bands to donate a show or two to the cause, and put on a real bell ringer of a fest once our ducks are in a row. In order to pull that off we need many more donations of cool memorabilia and motivated bands that care for the cause.
Our hands are full to overflowing, so we aren't able to leave the farm except for Suzie going to work. If we had more dog care volunteers we could visit with lots of bands at their gigs about doing a series of benefits in clubs, theatres and eventually a better than ever festie here where it all began!
We deeply appreciate any and all assistance, including tax deductible monetary donations, and could sure use more volunteers to help with chores and the dogs. Lots more info is on the myspace dogstock site.
Peace,
Randy and Susie Long
AARF Animal Sanctuary
Dogstock Music and Camping Festival
785-746-5592
31562 S. Stanley RD
Melvern, KS 66510
A DOG SHELTER CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, BUT WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS, AND NEW FRIENDS ON THE HORIZON WE BELIEVE WE CAN OVERCOME OUR OBSTACLES, GET THE MORTGAGE AND LIENS PAID OFF VERY SOON AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR THE ANIMALS WHOSE VOICES AREN'T UNDERSTOOD BY THE MASSES. IF NOT, WE WILL LOSE OUR LAND AND HOME BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE EVEN IF IT REQUIRES WE MOVE OUT OF STATE! WE REMAIN STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF ANIMAL RESCUE BUT ARE DISABLED AND UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE FLIM FLAM CON ARTISTS TARGETING ANIMALS AND THEIR HUMAN FRIENDS.
IF YOU CAN SPARE A DOLLAR OR TWO TO HELP US WITH THE CAUSE AND THESE WONDERFUL ANIMALS PLEASE FEEL FREE. IF YOU CAN'T SPARE THE MONEY, BUT CAN SPARE SOME TIME COME HELP US WITH SOME CHORES! We started out 14 years ago adopting a puppy, then fostering a dog or two, then all hell broke loose as we helped with saving animals from a USDA shut down of one of the worst puppymills ever.
BLESS YOU.
Our jukebox and videos feature a tiny percentage of our top favorites that have performed here over the years ... Many thanks and blessings.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM RANDY LONG REVISED AND DATED January, 2009 ...
IF YOU CAN FIND IT IN YOUR CONSCIENCE PLEASE HELP US FIGHT TO SAVE THIS SANCTUARY AND THE ANIMALS WE PROTECT WHILE BRINGING DOWN THE UNETHICAL "SUPERVISION" OF THE "PET INDUSTRY" BY THE STATE LIVESTOCK COMMISSION!!! DOGS ARE NOT LIVESTOCK, THEY ARE SURROGATE CHILDREN, BUT MOST IN THIS STATE ARE CONSIGNED TO A LIVING HELL FOR PROFIT OF PET FARMERS AND THEIR SHILLS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY THE STATE. THE OSAGE HERALD CHRONICLE PUBLISHED A FRONT PAGE STORY TODAY ABOUT OUR DEBACLE WITH THE STATE THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:
A TV REPORT WAS ALSO FILED BY CHANNEL 27 IN TOPEKA LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO:
http://www.ksnt.com/home/ticker/27036114.html
My wife Suzie and I are a couple of disabled old children of the sixties and early seventies trying to do the right thing by the animals and the music, despite being persecuted, prosecuted and in my case jailed for our trouble. As an aside I plead no contest two days ago to one felony and one misdemeanor that are totally unrelated to our mission or any of the animals.
Before all this our Dogstock Festies have been hits with most everyone here and merchants in the surrounding area for years. Our need is greater than ever, particularly in view of some "co-promoters" and a jackleg agent or two who robbed the animals and us blind leading up to and during the July show last year.
We and our other foundation members and volunteers have been responsible for many hundreds; well over a thousand of adoptions the thirteen + years we've been involved doing animal rescue full time. We are currently caring for over sixty rescued dogs, many feral cats, an elderly pony and a rescued parrot along with our personal assortment of dogs and cats. Much more info on our mission is available on our shelter Petfinder site:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS16.html
However, we can never save hands on what simple knowledge of this situation and a bit of pet owner education can accomplish. We are NOT speaking against responsible breeders, but in the big picture and with "commercial breeders" and "backyard breeders" thrown in with the responsible ones the ratio of good to bad is weighted heavily to the bad.
This places innocent, often sick and always unsocialized pets in that pet store window for the children to fantasize and harangue their parents about. Then when problems develop usually the dog is abused, passed around, dumped or killed (they like to call it euthenized but killing is what it is).
Let's not forget that Kansas is the number one or two producer of dogs for pet stores, laboratories, and Greyhound racing year in and year out. This with the attendant "lobbying" of legislators and administrators, to blatant encouragement of dog farming by the state livestock commission which "regulates" read that encourages and facilitates this "business" with maximum profit for the producers and brokers and minimum care for the innocent victims who never asked to be born into such a hell.
These state employed shills for the pet (and laboratory) biz also "regulate" and inspect animal shelters and rescuers with a far different attitude and outcome. Needless to say we speak out against such corporate welfare including huge grants by state and federal government to dog farmers and brokers already making astronomical profits along with similar mortality and illness rates of their victims.
EDGAR WINTER BAND
All this plus legislated immunity from clear criminal abuse and neglect as well as very questionable vet care, breeding, weaning and transportation issues regarding their voiceless, suffering "crop" of living sentient beings. Our attitude that we are voices for the voiceless makes us less than popular with some, but loved by those we can save.
Dogstock '08 Volume II was held at our animal sanctuary and campground Aug. 14-17 this year. Sound and lights were donated as well as all the talent. About the only perks these talented folks who come from everywhere amid rising gas prices on their own dimes for a good cause get are beautiful if rustic shaded camping, good grub plus a tax receipt from our nationally recognized non profit foundation for expenses and talent fees. These receipts for donated talent and expenses are tax deductible in many cases just as any charitable donations are, but we understand in this day and age cash talks a lot louder.
FAREED SOLO WITH GARAJ MAHAL
We are very different from any for profit festie as we have no money for the frills many bands and concert goers sometimes expect. Just 81 acres of beautiful shady Osage County Kansas rolling land with a small stream and pond and a happy, peaceful vibe along of course with the animals themselves and their as well as our deep and undying appreciation.
Of course we had tours of the dogs as always plus some vendors, but we encourage folks to camp out in all ways including grilling their own grub in a safe manner and saving a fortune while adding to their experience. As at the May event we did not have any alcohol for sale though it is allowed in folks' coolers and safe containers.
Another big savings for the public along with the fact the admission donation is always far lower than one would pay for an ordinary fund raising dinner for their favorite shelter or cause lasting no more than a few hours at most, and probably with some old tired boring politician as the "entertainment", yet we also include rustic beautiful camping for four or five days, parking, and the diverse but always superb entertainment. Folks attending our fests always get more bands than the number of dollars requested for the event donation. Most music festies aren't even pet friendly. After all as I always say music is the universal language, even with critters.
The eclectic group of national and regional up and coming talent along with the occasional surprise is a big attraction. The quality of our talent tends to be second to none, often superior to many "big stars", but that gets into another discussion entirely of the ultimate oxymoron: monolithic, monopolized corporate creativity. We'll save that for another time.
At this point we need to find help placing over sixty wonderful dogs some of which are old and special needs. We need donations, volunteers and public outcry to save our rescue sanctuary! Unless a miracle occurs VERY SOON we are finished. Please help us help the animals.
Peace,
Randy Long
AARF Humane Sanctuary
Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation
The Musical Celebration of the DOGS!
6206 E. 317th ST
Melvern, KS 66510
randog@wildblue.net
785-746-5592
www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS16.html
www.myspace.com/dogstockmusicfest
AS A NON PROFIT FOUNDATION YOUR DONATIONS TO THE DOGS (beyond the admission donation) MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. ASK YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR DETAILS. MANY THANKS FROM THE DOGGIES!!!
NRPS AT DOGSTOCK '07 WITH SOULSHINE
Here is the trailer for Dr. Ben Meade's ground breaking film AMERICAN MUSIC: OFF THE RECORD, part of which was filmed here at Dogstock two years ago Labor Day. The DVD with extra features is available thru his site at: http://www.myspace.com/vakvagany
Hey we just wanted to stop in and say, Have a great Summer. Thank you for all your support this year. We cannot begin to explain how much it has helped our careers. If it was not for people like you we dont know where we would be. Cheers Makeshift Innocence
Hey there PLEASE HELP SAVE AARF VOLUNTEERING OR CONTRIBUTING,
We are proud to announce this year’s annual Camp Bisco widget contest, which offers a chance to win a pair of All Access VIP tickets!
The contest is simple: grab the widget and post it on any of your social networking sites or websites ie: Facebook, Myspace, Friendstar, etc. Each time you post the widget in a new place, you are automatically entered into the contest. There are an unlimited amount of entries per person. Every time someone grabs the widget from one of your postings, it automatically enters you again. Be sure to get ALL of your friends to grab it from one of your postings and both of you will be entered into this amazing contest.
Check out the critically-acclaimed debut album from Kyle Turck & Patrick Henz, available exclusively through CDBaby.com, the hottest independent music website on the planet!!!
Just droppin in to make sure your keepin it BRUTAL! If you haven't checked our page out recently, give our songs a listen and tell us what you think. We appreciate your time, Horns UP HIGH!!!
Online Now!
