In the wake of Typhoon Halong, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, is assisting Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. with ongoing recovery efforts in typhoon-stricken villages.
Humane World for Animals sent ANRV, Inc. shipments of lumber for 200 doghouses, over 100 large bales of straw and dozens of bags of dog food. ANRV, Inc. is working with community partners to construct and deliver doghouses to six remote communities in Western Alaska. The first round of 100 doghouses, straw and dozens of bags of dog food have already been delivered, with another delivery of doghouses and dog food currently underway.
“During a visit with our veterinary spay/neuter and medical team to communities impacted by the typhoon, we noticed that many of the dogs had their homes damaged or destroyed due to the flooding, as did their owners,” said Angie Fitch, executive director, Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. “An amazing doghouse building project for the typhoon-stricken area is underway, thanks to Humane World for Animals for the lumber and this wonderful partnership that will allow us to help so many people and pets. This generosity will ensure that dogs will get new warm shelters."
ANRV, Inc. has provided veterinary spay/neuter services to over 100 villages multiple times each, including to 40 villages in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta region.
These supply donations are a continuation of Humane World for Animal’s efforts to help Alaskan communities recover from Typhoon Halong. Humane World for Animals deployed Animal Rescue Team responders to assist Bethel Friends of Canines in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Halong in October.
The town of Bethel, which serves as a hub for relief and resources, is usually only accessible via the Kuskokwim River or single-engine planes, creating complexity when disaster strikes. In addition to on-the-ground assistance, Humane World for Animals provided funding for an evacuation flight of animals from Kipnuk to safety at Bethel Friends of Canines, where the dogs were cared for until they could be reunited with their families. Emergency management officials reported that most of the residents of Kipnuk evacuated from the village, where an estimated 90% of structures were destroyed. Humane World for Animals responders took small planes into Kipnuk and other villages to aid in dog evacuation for those left behind.
“Seeing the level of destruction on top of already harsh conditions was devastating, but what’s even more striking was the sense of community and how invested everyone is in helping each other out, even between villages,” said Audra Houghton, Animal Rescue Team operations director, Humane World for Animals. “It’s clear that dogs are an important part of these communities and are deeply cared for, so we were honored to be able to help Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. with their efforts to help the communities recover by providing dogs with their urgent need for safe, warm shelter following our on the ground support of Bethel Friends of Canines.”
Humane World for Animals also purchased dog food and supplies such as leashes, collars, bowls and crates, which were delivered to Bethel via air cargo.
“At the core of our disaster response work is the acknowledgement that the well-being of people is closely tied to the well-being of animals,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. “This is just as important in an emergency as it is in everyday life.”
For 10 years, Humane World’s Pets for Life program has provided funding to and partnered with Bethel Friends of Canines to bring veterinary and wellness services to the area. Humane World for Animals is committed to supporting the people and pets of the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta region of southwest Alaska beyond the typhoon recovery.
