The York County Kennel Club of Maine, Inc. founded in the 1980’s, as the York County Kennel Club of Maine. Started as a not for profit organization of dog enthusiasts, breeders, exhibitors and pet owners, committed to protecting and advancing the interest of all breeds of purebred dogs. With just a hand full of members, the meetings in the beginning were being held at the Lions Club on Eldridge Rd. and then moved to the Wells Firehouse on Shore Road, Wells, Maine.
Barbara Keenan a renowned dog show judge and first President of the club, Dr. David Spahn D.V.M, David Hughes now a show judge, and Charlotte and Maria Micheliche were instrumental in the starting of the club. With the main purpose for starting the club being there were no dog clubs in the Southern Maine or New Hampshire areas, the goal of the club was to get involved in showing, obedience and handling dogs. Charlotte Micheliche, with 20 plus years experience in breeding and handling dogs, held handling classes at the Wells Firehouse. The club was in existence for 1 year before it held its first match show, it then held one show a year for the next 6 years.
Due to lack of membership, the club deteriorated. For approximately 8 years, they endured with only five members in the club. In 1997, the American Kennel Club contacted one of the club’s members, regarding another club who wanted to merge with the York County Kennel Club. The two groups got together and the York County Kennel Club of Maine was reborn.
YCKC is licensed by the American Kennel Club and is governed by its rules and regulations. The club has been working to establish good relationships between dog owners and the non-dog owning public, to promote sportsman like behavior and other dog clubs through community education activities, and to promote the welfare of dogs in general.
The YCKC sponsors All Breed dog shows and Obedience trials annually, as well as breed and obedience matches in the spring and fall. These matches enable puppy owners to gain ring experience before shows. In addition, YCKC in the past has sponsored screening clinics to detect certain canine health problems, workshops on training draft dogs and even a dog fair where the public could go to find out more about dog shows.
YCKC offers education programs on dog related topics, engages in community work with visits to elementary schools to educate children about the responsibilities of pet ownership (American Kennel Club Best Friends Program), and Adult Education for Dog Ownership Responsibilities and Safety. YCKC also participates in parades and has booths at community festivals.
In November 2001, the York County Kennel Club of Maine became incorporated.
In May 2002, YCKC held its very first and second annual point show at the Biddeford Ice Arena. The show was such a tremendous success, that YCKC had to move its 2003 shows to Howard’s Sport Center Saco, Maine. That site, too, proved too small for our shows. In 2004, YCKC decided to go outside at the Acton Fairgrounds in Acton, Maine. With plenty of parking and 26 acres of space, the club could hold breed and obedience as well as canine-related demonstrations. The Acton Fairgrounds may finally be YCKC's permanent show home.
YCKC welcomes all dog enthusiasts, breeders, exhibitors, and companion dog owners who ascribe to the purpose of the club and are in good standing with AKC as members. Residence in York County, Maine is desirable but not a prerequisite for joining. YCKC offers four membership options, Regular, Household, Associate, and Junior. The YCKC holds its monthly business meetings at the Animal Welfare Society on Old Holland Road in West Kennebunk, Maine the last Monday of every month at 7p.m., with no meetings in June and July. We extend an invitation to all past and future members to come and see how much we have grown and consider joining.
REGULAR -- Welcomed at the club's monthly business meetings and encouraged to be a working participant in at least one club activity and function per year. Entitled to vote, hold office and receive club awards. Current dues are $15 per year.
HOUSEHOLD -- Available to households consisting of two adults, with or without children under 18, residing under one roof. Welcomed at all meetings and club functions. Entitled to one vote per adult over 18, may hold office and receive club awards. Current dues are $20 per year.
ASSOCIATE -- Two types of associate membership -- individual and family (2 adults and children under 18, residing under the same roof) -- are available. Welcomed at meetings and club functions. Encouraged to be a working participant in a club activity. Cannot vote or hold office and are not eligible to receive club awards. Current dues are $20 per year irrespective of type of associate membership.
JUNIOR -- Open to individuals who are 17 years of age or younger. At the end of the calendar year in which they attain their 18th birthday, junior members must apply for membership as active or associate members. Current dues are $10 per year.
NOTE -- all membership applicants must be sponsored by two members. If applying for active membership status, you must attend two regular meetings or one membership meeting and assist at at least one club-sponsored event after the time of submitting the application before the application can be acted upon. All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $5 processing fee when filed.
Below you will find a link to our current interactive membership application. You can open the file using Adobe Acrobat Reader, print it out and fill in the fields. Bring the completed application to our next regular meeting along with the appropriate fees and signatures.
