improving the lives of pets outdoors

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Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsFebruary 7, 2026 1:39pm
Some more puppies with their new insulated dog houses!

We have been sending out as many houses as we can as fast as we can and we still have a pretty sizeable list.

Please be patient if you are waiting for a house and PLEASE DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO KEEP YOUR DOGS SAFE AND COMFORTABLE WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR HOUSE TO ARRIVE.

Once we get them built and dropped at the airport it can still take WEEKS to get them to where they are going...They are big, heavy and the weather is always a factor that slows things down.

Thank you to all of these doggy families for sending us photos to share....We appreciate all of you!

Thank you to Lynden Air Cargo, Everts Air, Ryan Air, INC. Northern Air Cargo, Alaska Airlines, Grant Aviation, Desert Air Transport, ACE AIR CARGO, and BERING AIR who continue to support us in our mission to help the dogs living outside in Alaska.

THESE AIR CARRIERS ARE THE REAL HEROES! WITHOUT THEIR HELP WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP AS MANY DOGS AS WE ARE HELPING! Freight is so expensive and these houses are HEAVY, BULKY, and take up a lot of precious cargo space....and yet every time we ask for help, they DO NOT EVEN HESITATE! They just say "YES WE WILL GET THEM OUT FOR YOU!" 💞

If you know a dog who lives outside in Alaska and needs and insulated dog house and straw OR if you would like to donate to support our mission please go to www.strawfordogs.org

Thank you!🙏
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsFebruary 2, 2026 2:39pm
7 more little doggies in Shishmaref with their new insulated dog houses and straw! Thank you again to P.A.s Anita and Scott who spend their free time helping the people and dogs in Shishmaref to make their lives a little better! Anita and Scott help build and distribute the houses and they have eyebolts and 20 ft. tie outs if people need them.

Thank you to Lynden Air Cargo, Ryan Air, INC., and BERING AIR for helping us get these houses out to the dogs who needed them!

If you know a dog who lives outside and needs an insulated dog house and straw OR if you would like to donate to support our mission to help dogs living outside in Alaska....
please go to www.strawfordogs.org

We are SWAMPED so it will take some time to get your house. In the meantime please do what you need to do to keep your dog safe and comfortable. Please don't leave them out in the cold with no shelter.

Thank you!
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsFebruary 1, 2026 8:54am
Thank you Rep Will Stapp for sponsoring HB258, (the Statewide Spay and Neuter program) we appreciate all of the time and attention you have given to this very real statewide problem. Thank you to Rep. Maxine Dibert, and Rep. Elexie Moore who are co-sponsoring HB258. Straw For Dogs president Nick LaJiness was in Juneau last Thursday and Friday to meet with House Representatives and promote HB258. Things are moving in the right direction.

Thank you to everyone who sent emails in support of this program, it really makes a difference. We will continue to update as progress is made.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BN5kji6LS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJanuary 28, 2026 11:34am
HAPPY UPDATE 1-30-26! BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BISCUIT HAS FOUND A HOME! Biscuit is being adopted by a traveling nurse who already knows her....and loves her. The people in Biscuit's community all approve and feel like they are a good match for each other! Adding some new pictures of Biscuit below....ISN'T SHE JUST THE CUTEST! Thank you to everyone who reached out to help this sweet girl! 🙏

RESCUE FRIENDS! SWEET BISCUIT'S OWNER PASSED AWAY. We received this email last night. Can anyone take her? We can help with logistics..... update from Rachel....Biscuit is being fed regularly and no one in her village can adopt her because they have small pets already....

My name is Rachel. I live in Dutch Harbor AK. I know Starw for Dogs provides insulated dog homes, but I am asking for help for a dog in Akutan that really needs a new home, Biscuit in Akutan, Ak.

Biscuit's paw parent died a few months back and she is now homeless, lonely, hungry some days and in need of help.

Biscuit:
About 3.5 years old
Female
Fixed/Altered
Shots UTD
Malamute- maybe
Does not get along with small animals like cats, rabbits, little dogs
Has a past history of attacking small dogs
It is reported that Biscuit gets along with the other large dogs in town
I cannot confirm this information about getting along with large dogs.
I was told Biscuit used to be an inside at night and out during the day kind of dog and the neighbors say she likes her outside time.
Currently Biscuit is staying outside day and night in the open arctic entry way of her deceased paw parent.
Someone in Akutan is getting some food to Biscuit, but not enough and not on a regular basis.
Biscuit had only been fed people food when her paw parent was around. She has never had commercial/regular dry dog food.

I have checked around and no one in the community of Akutan or Dutch Harbor wants to adopt Biscuit.

I am contacting Anchorage ASPCA to see if they will put Biscuit on the intake list, but I know that they may not add her to the intake list, since she has issues with small pets, and has been eating table food and even if she gets on the intake list, it could be months before they can take her in.
I realize this is not a good situation, but I am trying to find a rescue or home for Biscuit, that understands Biscuit's needs, will work with Biscuit, and would love to have her in their home furever.

Please let me know if you have any ideas on who I should contact or what I can do to help this dog find a home.

People in Akutan have reached out to me for help for Biscuit.
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJanuary 24, 2026 8:30pm
Please send a quick email in support of a statewide spay and neuter program. So we can stop finding puppies in dumpsters!
Straw For Dogs
Straw For DogsJanuary 23, 2026 7:49pm
Straw for warmth… not blankets….this is why.

Please share this information with your friends and family. We know there are dogs outside with blankets in their houses. They need STRAW!

support straw for dogs

how you can help

We encourage concerned citizens to work with caretakers in order to improve the life of a dog outdoors. Talk to your neighbors, offer support (not judgement) and do what you can, where you are. 

Together we can make a difference!

Straw For Dogs is a 501(c)3 organization that depends on individual donations to support our mission of providing supplies and resources for pets outdoors.

Your donation is tax deductible, meaningful and accounted for.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

how we help

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Straw For Dog assists caretakers and concerned citizens with pets outdoors in Alaska.

Do you know a dog who needs a warm, sturdy shelter? Does your own pet spend time outdoors?

We offer free supplies such as doghouses, straw, food, toys, and treats as well as resources including spay/neuter services and training advice to Alaskan residents.

Please fill out our easy, online application form found on our Application for Assistance page.

success stories

HOW WE HELP

As of November 2025, Straw For Dogs has distributed 973 doghouses and 1392 bales of straw.

Together, we can make a difference!

DOG HOUSES

BALES OF STRAW

See Where We’ve Made a Difference: 900+ Dog Houses Donated Across 65 Alaskan Villages!

Kenai

Kenai was adopted from the Mat Su Animal Shelter. As he had previously been kept outdoors, his caretaker contacted us right away for help setting up a cable run and requested a doghouse to help make him comfortable while transitioning him to time in the home.  Kenai...

Niho

Niho's family contacted us for a doghouse, citing a disability in the family. Our volunteer visited and built an insulated house for her along with providing toys, straw and treats. What a cutie!

Buddy

Buddy was found by a Good Samaritan with a badly broken leg. We offered extensive veterinary care and support to this sweet boy and his rescue angel. He has healed up well and is a happy, healthy boy, living with his personal rescue angel and another dog.

Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse came to us from Anchorage Animal Care and Control. He was brought there as a young puppy with a broken leg.  Pit bull type dogs like him have limited options for rescue, so we were happy to be able to help, thanks to his long term foster...

Dozer

Dozer is a lovable lug who was in need of a safe place outdoors. Luckily, his family was open to receiving assistance and in addition to care packages with toys, treats, bowls and a new collar, volunteers were also able to build him a kennel and a warm, insulated...

Butterball and Charlie

Butterball and Charlie enjoy spending time outdoors exploring but were without a shelter. Straw For Dogs worked with their family to provide a shelter with a porch so that these sweet boys have options. We provide care takers with information about using straw instead...