In the aftermath of former Typhoon Halong, Western Alaska is grappling with a crisis that goes beyond damaged homes and battered infrastructure. The powerful storm, which prompted the evacuation of hundreds of residents to Anchorage, left behind not only devastated communities but also a heart-wrenching challenge: the fate of more than a hundred beloved dogs, separated from their owners in the chaos of escape.
As reported by KTUU, the evacuation effort was swift and necessary, but many families were forced to make an agonizing decision—leave their pets behind or risk their own safety. Now, a remarkable rescue and reunification operation is underway, drawing together local volunteers, animal welfare organizations, and even national attention as senior administration officials prepare to visit the region.
Jenna Stewart, Director of Development for Bethel Friends of Canines, described the scale and urgency of the effort: "It’s taking everybody. And the outpouring of support from everybody everywhere has been amazing. We have taken in 180 dogs. Last year we took in around 500, so we have done a third of our annual number in just a week. So yeah, it has been all hands on deck. People are tired, but it’s worth it. We’re proud of what we’re doing and we’re glad that the community trusts us."
The numbers are staggering. Approximately 180 dogs have been transported to Bethel, with many already reunited with their families. About 40 dogs have arrived in Anchorage, 11 in the Mat-Su, and more are still on their way, according to KTUU. For an organization that typically handles 500 dogs in an entire year, managing a third of that number in just one week is nothing short of extraordinary.
The primary focus, Stewart emphasized, is reunification. While hundreds of Alaskans have stepped forward to foster these displaced pets, the goal remains to return every dog to its rightful home. The emotional stakes are high. "If you look at these evacuees, they have lost their homes. They have lost all their personal belongings, and they might have lost their whole village," Stewart reflected. "And so the fact that we can come in and we can save their loved pets and reunite them with their loved pets, that feeling alone makes us feel so good and so proud of what we’re doing. And it’s worth the late nights and the early mornings and the tears and the sweat. It’s worth all of that."
Amidst the whirlwind of rescue, rumors began to circulate about desperate owners being forced to euthanize their dogs rather than leave them behind to starve. Stewart addressed these reports directly, saying, "We’ve heard about it, of course. In Kipnuk, we have not had any reports of any deceased bodies or anything like that, but you know how social media is, you take one thing, and it can roll. So we have no verification that that was said or done." The lack of verified cases brings some relief, but the anxiety for missing pets lingers for many families.
Local residents and volunteers have played a crucial role, particularly in the early stages of the rescue. In Kipnuk, several teachers volunteered to stay behind and round up as many dogs as possible, making the initial rescues possible. Their dedication has been matched by the efforts of The Humane World for Animals—formerly known as the Humane Society—which has long partnered with Bethel Friends of Canines. Stewart explained, "We’ve partnered with them for many, many years. They help us a lot with information and grants. So they flew up to help because they have experience after natural disasters, gathering up pets. And so they’re flying out there [Friday]. They’re supposed to be bringing a previous resident of Kipnuk who volunteered her time because she knows the area and she’d be able to help."
The results of these collaborative efforts are beginning to show. "So far, we have sent about 60 of them out to their owners, or to friends or families of the owners who can take them," Stewart reported. "We’ve sent them to a bunch of different villages." For those who have been reunited with their pets, the joy is palpable—a rare bright spot in an otherwise uncertain and traumatic time.
Meanwhile, the broader response to the disaster is ramping up. According to KTUU, senior administration officials from Washington D.C. are set to visit the hardest hit communities in Western Alaska over the coming weekend. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, confirmed the visit, telling Alaska’s News Source, "Boots on the ground is the way D.C. can be the most responsive." Following the trip, Senator Sullivan will be hosting a community listening session to hear directly from affected residents.
The federal government has already begun delivering aid to the 52 communities impacted by Halong, following a major disaster declaration by the president. This declaration unlocked $25 million in immediate assistance and authorized a 100% federal cost share for all categories of relief for the next 90 days. However, as Bryan Fisher, Director of Alaska’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told KTUU, the exact start date for the 90-day assistance period is still being coordinated with FEMA.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, highlighted the early involvement of FEMA in the response, even before the disaster declaration was formalized. "You have Alaska FEMA here, and when I was talking to the acting administrator, David Richardson, you have people from Region 10 that are here already," Murkowski said at an Alaska Federation of Natives press conference. "They are totally on the ground."
The scale of the disaster and the response has brought together a diverse coalition of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individual volunteers. Each is playing a part in addressing both the immediate needs—such as shelter, food, and medical care—and the longer-term challenges of rebuilding and recovery. The rescue and reunification of pets may seem, at first glance, like a small piece of the puzzle, but for many families, it represents a vital source of hope and comfort.
As the days unfold, the focus remains on bringing families and their pets back together, supporting those who have lost so much, and ensuring that the recovery process is as compassionate and comprehensive as possible. In the words of Jenna Stewart, the effort is "worth all of that"—and for the people and pets of Western Alaska, it’s a testament to the enduring bonds of community and love.
