Kennel plans aid Willow evacuation effort

MAT-SU — In order to get a kennel license in the Mat-Su Borough, the application must include an evacuation process, according to Mat-Su Borough assemblyman and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race musher Vern Halter.

At a community meeting at Houston Middle School June 17, Halter said those kennel plans are why more mushers and their canine athletes aren’t in need of shelter presently.

Most of the 400 to 500 dogs displaced by the fire are sheltered either at Underdog Feeds in Meadow Lakes, at the Busers’ Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake, or at Janssen’s Funeral Home in Palmer.

Janssen’s Funeral Home

Scott Janssen’s business, Janssen’s Funeral Home, 6901 E. Blue Lupine Dr., just off the Parks Highway near Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is hosting one musher’s dogs, and has space for more. They also have room within the funeral home if people need a place to stay.

Janssen’s Funeral Home is working with the American Red Cross, and has enough supplies and volunteers to host their current number of dogs. Call 745-5477.

Underdog Feeds

Underdog Feeds, 750 Dandelion Circle, is housing around five dog teams, but they are not accepting food donations. They are, however, accepting monetary donations on behalf of the Willow Dog Mushers Association. The contributions will help mushers buy the food that they regularly feed their dogs. Call 373-6851 or visit bit.ly/1GkVuOn.

Happy Trails Kennel

Martin Buser’s Happy Trails Kennel, 19391 W Lakes Blvd., in Big Lake has lots of space for anyone seeking refuge from the fire. They are presently hosting a number of teams, and also have lots of Eagle Pack dog food available for anyone who needs it.

They are accepting monetary donations, but only for specific mushers. Happy Trails has requested chain-link fencing and other building supplies, so that mushers can rebuild once they return to their properties. Call 892-7899.

Alaska State Fair

Contrary to reports on social media, the France Equestrian Center at the fairgrounds is not yet open for animals displaced by the fire, according to Jesse Stubblefield with the Alaska State Fair. The center is fully prepared to accept livestock and other animals, but is coordinating with other relief agencies, and has not yet received the OK to accept displaced livestock.

The center has a good stock of animal foods, and has plenty of space and volunteers if necessary.