Groups Send 8000 lbs. of Dog Food to Rural Alaska

The coronavirus pandemic has lasted for much longer than we expected, and our pockets are no longer full, with businesses having been shut down. Although governments are doing their best to ensure the citizens are not badly off, the stimulant packages are barely enough to support families. The fact that most people adopted pets to help ease their emotional baggage has not made things easier since animals come with expenses too. Luckily, some organizations have seen the plights of families, and hence some groups sent 5000 lbs. of dog food to rural Alaska. Let’s tell you more about how such acts of kindness have gone a long way in ensuring pets remain healthy during this pandemic.

It has been a consistent effort

In times of need, unity will always be strength; hence The Humane Society of the United States and The American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals collaborated to supply dog food in Alaska. Once the pandemic hit the entire world, these two groups also noticed that rural Alaska was in dire need of supplies; hence in April 2020, the group joined hands to send 5000 lbs. of dog food to Bethel. The need for dog food arose from the now limited transportation options as well as limited supplies, according to the Seattle Times.

While the amount of the dog food supplied was quite substantial, the two groups did not tire of lending a helping hand when the 5000 lbs. were no longer enough to cater for the pets in rural Alaska. Therefore on June 10, 2020, they replenished the supply with the same amount of 5000 lbs. The food was delivered as five pallets, and Bethel Friends of Canines will be charged with ensuring that even those in the rural villages, specifically the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, will get their share.

Other local organizations that have been supplying dog food during the pandemic

By the end of March 2020, The Kentucky Humane Society had seen the plight of families when it came to feeding their pets. Therefore they started distributing foods for different breeds of dogs and cats, but as much as they wanted to help, special diets were unavailable. The Vice President of the organization, Karen Koenig, said that they are committed to providing food for as long as it is readily available. However, even when it runs out, they will still do their best to offer assistance.

Other organizations understood that regardless of how much pet owners loved their fur babies, if it ever came down to choosing between their children and their pets, kids will be prioritized. Therefore as Cindy Mabardy, the co-founder of Pitbull Second Chance Rescue, told WVVA, they are devoted to giving families the peace of mind of knowing that they do not have to make that difficult decision. However, those in need have to speak up for them to be assisted, be it with dry dog food, treats, or cat food. Another organization, The Floyd County Animal Rescue League, prefers to give the struggling families $25 gift cards to Feeders Supply.

You can chip in through other ways

If the suffering of animals moves you to want to do something about it, there are many ways you can help. First of all, while some animals are lucky to be getting all the love and attention they need from humans, some are in animal shelters wondering who can give them the same unconditional love they are ready to offer. Therefore as One Green Planet discloses, you can either adopt or foster a pet. If you have more than enough to cater to an animal, then bringing one home could make a huge difference not just in the pet’s life but in yours too.

On the other hand, you may not be ready to have a four-legged friend in your home for varied reasons. Still, the humanity in you is calling out for you to do something to ease their suffering the pandemic. Consequently, many shelters are requesting for donations, both in monetary form and in kind. Supplies are running low since foster parents have to be given the necessities. Therefore if you have a crate lying around, or maybe gloves and hand sanitizer for those handling dogs, you can take them to your nearest animal shelter. As for monetary donations, we all have been forced to tighten our belts due to the reduced income, but you can share the little you have.

Finally, if you neither have supplies nor money, then being a social media crusader could still be very useful in helping animals during this pandemic. The Conversation enlightens us that some people only want pets for comfort during this challenging season, then most probably give them away as gifts once the pandemic is over. You can, therefore, lend your voice on the social media platforms by encouraging pet owners to adopt during the pandemic but only if they are financially and emotionally committed to the long term care of the animals. Besides, since many animal rights activist groups have petitions online, you can sign one online and help to influence decisions regarding our furry friends.

It is not just pet owners who need our support

Although most organizations are doing everything they can to ensure the pets at home are well taken care of, wild animals could also use our support in this challenging season. According to Dan Ashe, the president of the Association of Zoos and aquariums who spoke to WCTI, animals need to be taken care of since the zoos can’t shut down. Unfortunately, without people visiting, the amount of their primary source of revenue has dramatically reduced. For instance, the Phoenix Zoo has been losing $80,000 every day since March 18, 2020.

However, they have been forced to be creative in ensuring that they have enough money to cater for the wildlife. Through social media, zoos and aquariums are keeping the people at home entertained, and it has become their new way of earning some money to keep the facilities running. The popularity of a sloth at The Phoenix Zoo has resulted in personalized clips of the animal going from $25 to $50 since demand kept growing. The Oakland Zoo has an online subscription program offering behind-the-scenes videos that have a monthly cost of $9.95 for zoo members and $14.95 for non-members. Therefore if you have a little money to spare, you can ensure the wild animals are kept in ideal conditions through such subscriptions.

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