AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day is around the corner and the American Kennel Club will hold flagship events in Raleigh, N.C., and New York City on Sept. 15, 2007, to celebrate.

AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day — a nationwide initiative to educate the public about the importance of being a responsible dog owner and celebrates the bond between humans and their canine companions—will include AKC Canine Good Citizenship testing, agility demonstrations, games, free brochures and giveaways.

The AKC invites AKC-affiliated dog clubs as well as other dog-related organizations to take part by holding a community event that publicly promotes responsible dog ownership anytime during the month of September.

Last year, more than 350 dog clubs and organizations hosted AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day events.

Nature’s Recipe brand dog food has signed on as a sponsor of the fifth annual event.

“We are extremely excited to join the AKC as we participate in this very important event,” says Gabriel Nul, marketing manager for Nature’s Recipe. “Del Monte Pet Products and Nature’s Recipe believe that pets are part of our families and we promote and encourage responsible pet ownership.”

For more information, visit www.akc.org.