As many of you  know, Ed and I have been very interested in the Save the Cheetah program that Dr. Laurie Marker operates in Africa .  We became very interested in the program many years ago when we were breeding Anatolian Shepherds and one of them, Karli, was a niece to Fintis.  Lise on our list has a daughter from her (Cengi).  Many of you will recall that Cengi and Serdar were featured in the Ontario SPCA 2010 Super Pet Calendar.

For those of you who are not familiar with this program, years ago Livestock Guardian Dogs were beginning to be utilized by Dr. Marker to guard flocks from local predators such as cheetahs thus preventing farmers from killing the cheetah to protect their livelihood.  Flintis was THE turning point in Dr. Marker's program.  Dr. Marker was not getting much cooperation from the farmers regarding using alternative methods to keep the Cheetahs away from their livestock.  When Flintis killed two baboons which were attacking the farmers goats, word quickly spread and he was a hero.  From then on, the farmers began to take the dogs seriously and look to them as an alternative method for guarding their livestock instead of killing off the Cheetahs.

Approximately a year ago (early March, 2009 ) Ed & I received a phone call from the Indianapolis Zoo advising us that they were planning a program to assist Dr. Marker with her Cheetah conservation project.  They spoke with me for some time on the phone and said that they had attended a board meeting and that one of their Vice Presidents on the board knew of us, had heard good things about us, and therefore suggested to the field team that they contact Ed & I at Misty Acres and see if we were interested in participating in a program  they were working on for the Zoo.  Thus began the first, exciting step in the interview process for Misty Acres to be involved in the Cheetah Conservation project. 

The project being started at the Indy Zoo is a Cheetah conservation program.  They have been working with Dr. Marker and fully support her program to save the Cheetahs.  They had several meetings with Dr. Marker over a year ago and the details of the program were set in motion.  The Zoo has been working diligently on this project and the Cheetahs are to arrive at the Indianapolis Zoo this spring.

We were asked and enthusiastically accepted to be screened for the opportunity to provide Kangal puppies for this new, innovative venture for the Indianapolis Zoo.  The process of screening for the perfect Turkish Kangal Dog puppies was a very long and involved one.  The Indianapolis Zoo has an excellent reputation for superior animal care and is VERY PARTICULAR about where their animals come from.  There were four personal, detailed, phone interviews, four on site visits, many, many forms to fill out as well as multiple detailed references to be checked.  We needed to introduce the Zoo to every aspect of our daily life at Misty Acres, the animals' daily life at Misty Acres, as well as details about ourselves and our interest in the Cheetah program. 

Misty Acres Kangal Dogs were NOT the only dogs screened.  Other excellent breeders in all of the surrounding states were contacted and interviewed and on-site visits were conducted as well:  including breeders of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs.  These on-site visits were extensive and included touring the facilities, animal inspection, and a close look at animal husbandry practices.

The Indianapolis Zoo's field team visited Misty Acres for most of a day.  They toured the farm and saw for themselves how we manage and care for our livestock as we have since our inception.  They interviewed us in person and we spoke at length for hours.  They examined each dog individually and observed how each dog interacted with the livestock they were with.   We spoke extensively about the Turkish Kangal Dog breed.  We discussed the differences between the Turkish Kangal Dog and the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.   We talked about the temperament and what to expect from the Kangal Dog. 

At the end of their on site visit, the field team told us that they liked us "hands down".  They said Misty Acres was undoubtedly the best they had seen and loved everything about us, our animals,  and our farm.  But, it was not up to them to make the decision.  They would present their facts on all the farms they saw and the breeders they had met to their board of directors.  The board would review everything and make their own decision based on all the information collected and how it best fit their program. 

A month later, we were honored to be notified that the Indianapolis Zoo had chosen Misty Acres to represent the Turkish Kangal Dog in the new Cheetah program and that the pups they wanted for their program would be from Maverick and Lokum.  

Once this monumental decision was made, the process became even more involved and in depth interviews were conducted.  There were references given and each reference was interviewed extensively.  They contacted and interviewed our vet regarding the health and the care of our animals over the years.  We have used the same vet for almost 15 years for all our livestock including sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, cats, horses, and dogs.  She was certainly able to give a very good rendering on the care we give to each of our animals and shared the stellar reputation that Misty Acres has earned. 

The Indianapolis Zoo literally looked at Misty Acres through a high powered microscope.  The Zoo checked to see if we had been indicted, convicted, or fined by ANY government agency for ANY violation of ANY animal welfare legislation.  We also had to describe in great detail our facility and care of our animals as well as our qualifications, background, experience, and areas of expertise with Turkish Kangal Dogs. 

When I was in Florida visiting my father, the director of the Zoo called our home in Michigan and McKinsey answered.   He asked her a lot of questions and she gave her answers based on her experiences of living and working side by side with us on the farm 24/7 for an entire month.  She knows the true and honest way we deal with and care for our animals each and every day.  She knows how much we love and care for our animals even above our own comforts.  She knows our plans and intentions and how very much we love the Kangal breed as well as our efforts to protect the breed by preserving the breed in it's working state. 

Once Lokum's litter was born, three more on site visits were made.  The staff looked the entire litter over literally from front to back and top to bottom.  Photos were taken and notes were made.  Later the staff would review their notes and photos once back at the Zoo.  Several weeks later, they came back and temperament tested the entire litter.  They observed the pups and played with the pups while others observed the play. They were particularly interested in the type of mother that Lokum was and how she interacted with and cared for her puppies.  Then, on their third visit to the litter, and based on their programs' needs, they chose the male and female pups they felt would best fulfill the needs and plans for the Indianapolis Zoo's Cheetah and Kangal Dog educational program.

The Indianapolis Zoo's Misty Acres puppies will be part of their public educational program.  The pups will demonstrate the roll of these dogs in Dr. Marker's Save the Cheetah program.  Audience participation will be encouraged by allowing the pups to be petted and loved on.  I have personally always felt that what we understand and love, we will protect and preserve against all odds.

The pups will be extensively socialized and will be trained by positive reinforcement methods.  These pups will go through a lot and we know they can handle it.

During one site visit last April 2009 the field staff met and spoke with Bobby.  Bobby is & has been available to the Zoo as a person to contact for any questions that may come up about training the dogs for the public exhibition.  Bobby may be asked to bring Buddy down to the Zoo as well.

I also gave Glenn as a reference with the Zoo.  They are interested in his positive reinforcement training that he is using and the head trainer is interested in teaching the dogs to pull a cart as well.  This man has trained dogs as well as elephants for over 12 years but is open to the fact that the Turkish Kangal Dog is a very different dog from other dog breeds he has dealt with in the past.

Lise was also contacted as a reference for an extensive interview as she has Flintis's nice (Cengi), an Anatolian Shepherd AND a Kangal, both from Misty Acres.  Lise has also known us for many years.  Nikki also graciously spoke with Zoo officials as a long time Misty Acres Kangal owner.  Thanks to both of you for all of your help, encouragement, and support.  You are wonderful ladies as well as honest and true friends.

I also spoke with the Zoo about Bob as he is realizing success with non-verbal commands based on hand signals with one of his Kangal puppies from Misty Acres.  Bob gave his consent and his contact information has been given to the Zoo as well since they mentioned an interest in hand signals.  So there are great folks that can help out with questions if needed.

Naturally, Ed and I will be in constant touch with the Indianapolis Zoo.  We will answer any and all questions that come up and that the Zoo may have in regards to the Turkish Kangal Dog.  Needless to say, we are pleased, honored, and proud that we were chosen from a pool of many great breeders  for our pups to represent the Kangal breed at the Indianapolis Zoo.  We have worked tirelessly for almost a decade to preserve the treasure that is the Turkish Kangal Dog.   What a real plus for the Kangal breed and education to the public as to what a Kangal is and the role they play in saving the Cheetahs.

 Thank you,

     Misty Acres Kennel  

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