AHA, PETsMART, and PETsMART Charities Come to the Aid of Alaskan Sled Dogs

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 29 November 2000

This week, the American Humane Association (AHA) helped PETsMART and PETsMART Charities - which joined with vendors – send tons of dog food to the remote area of Tanana, Alaska, in an effort to help stop the killing of Alaskan sled dogs. For three years, Alaska's salmon runs have been the worst in recorded history, and residents there are killing the dogs, rather than watching them starve to death.

Approximately 38 tons of PETsMART's Premierâ Brand dog food are being shipped from Ogden, Utah, with the assistance of the American Humane Association, Gordon Trucking, Inc., C.R. England, Inc. and Lynden Transport. To date, Ralston Purina, Kal Kan and Hill's have shipped a total of 73 tons of dog food to Alaska. It is reported that the Tanana residents will then have enough dog food for the rest of the winter.

"This unfortunate situation has received a great deal of media attention in recent months, and while there are no PETsMART stores in Alaska, we wanted to do something to help these poor dogs," said Joyce Briggs, executive director of PETsMART Charities. "The difficulty has been trying to find ways to transport the products. Thanks to the American Humane Association, our shipment should arrive soon."

Alaskan sled dogs are a necessary part of every day life there – part of the work force – providing transportation. People and their dogs rely on salmon for nourishment. The salmon supply has been depleted for three years, so while the donated food will help temporarily, long-term solutions need to be studied.

"It's very heartening that PETsMART and PETsMART Charities are donating this food to help the Alaskan sled dogs," said Nicholas Gilman, the American Humane Association's Director of Animal Programs. "We're glad that we've been able to assist in getting the food to where it is needed most. The American Humane Association's goal is to not only help these dogs make it through the winter, but to continue to find long-term solutions so that we don't see a repeat of this situation next year."

The Tanana Chiefs Conference is currently accepting donations in its effort to help feed the starving sled dogs. Donations can be mailed to: Key Bank, Attn: Laura Gillen, Tanana Chiefs Conference Fish Disaster Fund, P.O. Box 71230, Fairbanks, AK 99707.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org