improving the lives of pets outdoors

UPDATE ON SPONSORED DOG HOUSE!

We have an update on another sponsored house that was sent out to KIMBER!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored this house for her. Look at the difference your donations made for this sweet girl!

FUNDS RAISED! THANK YOU EVERYONE!

This GOODEST BOY needs sponsors please!

FUNDS RAISED! THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Sponsors needed for Miss Luna! Please Share!

UPDATE ON SPONORSHIP DOG HOUSE FOR GINGER!

This pretty girl is Ginger! Ginger is a 2 year old girl who lives outside in a rural community in northwest Alaska and she was one of the dogs who had a sponsorship fundraiser for her insulated house and straw.

Her house has been set up and her person says she LOVES IT. You can see in all of the pictures the little ice bowls she was making in the snow where she would curl up to try to stay warm. She will not have to do that anymore. I wish we could see her fuzzy little face in the after pictures but I think her person was trying to get the house in the photo too so she is too far away.

Thank you to everyone who donated to get Ginger an insulated house of her own. Thank you to BERING AIR and Everts Air for helping us get this house out to Ginger.

We at Straw For Dogs dream of the day our organization is no longer needed and all dogs live inside as part of the family (at least when they want to) but for now this is what we can do to provide these "outside dogs" a little comfort. It is not ideal, we know that.

Changes in cultural norms take time, and a multifaceted approach involving education, community engagement, and addressing systemic issues. It also takes patience and persistence.

Instead of posting here how unacceptable this is please think about helping with one of the areas listed above. What can you do to educate, engage the communities, or help fix the "system."

Straw For Dogs cannot do it alone. We need EVERYONE to think about what they can do to make a difference. Talk to a neighbor about how they treat their dog, reach out to legislators, law enforcement, city or tribal leaders. Each community needs to set a higher standard of care and help provide the resources/education to meet that standard. Some of you have friends in high places, please reach out to those people you know who can help make this happen!

Thank you everyone, we appreciate all the love and support!

UPDATE ON SPONSORSHIP DOGHOUSE FOR PEARL!

This cute little face belongs to Miss Pearl. Pearl is 9 years old, she is one of the senior dogs who had a dog house sponsorship fundraiser.

Pearl lives in an interior village in Alaska and she did have a house but it was not insulated, there was no straw, and it was down on the ground. The snow surrounding the old house can act as an insulator (like a little den) but a lady Pearls age definitely needs something more comfortable. Hopefully having legs on the house will make it easier for Pearl to access and a fluffy layer of straw will offer some cushion for her 9 year old body.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored this house for Pearl! You can see your donations made a big difference in the life of this sweet lady.

Just a reminder for everyone who is going to comment about dogs belonging inside. YES, WE AGREE 100% but we CANNOT MAKE PEOPLE do this. All we can do is have a discussion and ask if there is anything we can provide to help Pearl spend more time with her family. Every situation is unique, sometimes we can help and sometimes we can't. BUT just providing this insulated house and straw has already made a difference in Pearl's life.

Most of the time all we can do is make things a little better, it's not perfect, it's not ideal, but it's better... and that is a small step in the right direction.

Thank you everyone for your support! We feel the love from all of you and we are so grateful. MOST IMPORTANTLY thank you from all the dogs who are getting some much needed relief because of your donations.

This Sweetie Pie named Woozer is about 7 years old. Woozer has been living in a car in a rural community in Northwest Alaska. While this might be better than nothing, and could provide some shelter from the wind, it does not provide any way to retain heat and the seats will freeze solid.

A good Samaritan told Woozer's people about Straw For Dogs and even submitted an application on their behalf. We sent a house out right away and now this handsome boy has an insulated dog house and straw which should be much more comfortable than the frozen interior of a car.

Woozer's family was very grateful for the help and happily sent after pictures of him with his house. Apparently Woozer "claimed" every side of his house and then went right inside.

Thank you to Alaska Airlines for helping us get this house out to Woozer. Thank you to everyone who donates to help us in our mission to provide some comfort to dogs living outside in Alaska.

We wish all dogs could live inside with their families at least part time. Unfortunately many of them never live inside. Giving them an insulated house and straw is just something we can do to make things better right now. It’s not a total fix, it’s only a bandaid. But for the dogs we are able to help it makes a big difference.

IF you would like to help you can donate at www.strawfordogs.org

Thank you!