Shelters for animals across the state have recently seen an increase of abandoned and stray animals. This has been a particularly difficult year for a particular organization that provides services to in the Norton Sound region.
PAWS of Nome is a non-profit animal rescue and advocacy group which provides free animal-related support for pet owners. The group claims it has helped thousands of animals since it was established in 2013.
Emily Stotts is the president of PAWS of Nome. She stated that this year’s rescue was a huge success and the rescue program has been at capacity several times.
“Probably close to 700-750 animals who were helped this year by us,” she said.
Animal Care and Control (AC&C) in Anchorage has recently endured several weeks of closings due to dogs coming positive for the extremely contagious parvovirus. All services were shut down until the animals were all healthy except for adoptions of pets.
In the time of the closures Stotts stated that rescues across the state were contacted by desperate owners seeking to return their pets. She explained that the PAWS of Nome was at capacity, it was necessary to decline surrender requests.
She added that the amount of abandoned and abandoned animals has become far too many for animal rescue groups to manage on their own, particularly in rural Alaska in which there isn’t a large animal control force.
“It’s only me, and I’m in a the space” she explained. “They’re within my backyard, they’re at three places that I manage They’re also at a friends’ homes being fosters.”
PAWS of Nome is run by volunteers. It is funded by gifts and contributions.
Stotts stated that rural Alaska requires more government support. Without support from the government she fears about the PAWS in Nome will not continue. She points to North Slope Veterinary Clinic in Utqiagvik which gets funding from corporations and offers animals control as well as a few vet services.
“If we don’t stop doing what we’re doing now it will ruin what’s happening within Anchorage along with Fairbanks and all over the country,” she said. “Everywhere has to be re-arranged.”
PAWS of Nome invites people to contact and send letters to state and local government officials, asking them to help with animal rescue.
