Animals

The Alaska Zoo is a halfway house for many injured and orphaned animals that will move to new dens and habitats across the country. But before they get there they have to get better, which is why the zoo is opening a new animal clinic next month. Drawing out a wild animal is no easy task, but it seems some simple things learned in childhood work better than expected. An orphaned deer strangely mimics visitors Karla Nash and Marlene Myers' deer call. Down the path, there's another curious exhibit where visitors look and call, wondering if they missed something: an infirmary for sick and orphaned animals.

by The Associated Press Saturday, June 19, 2010 FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Bail has been set at $10,000 for a man accused of abandoning 13 sled dogs and seven chickens he had been paid to watch at a Fairbanks home. One of the sled dogs and two chickens were found dead from neglect when the homeowner returned May 30. Blair Lawless, originally from the village of Gakona, was arraigned in Fairbanks District Court on charges of theft, vehicle theft, animal cruelty and criminal mischief.

She's been called a cat hoarder, but an Anchorage woman convicted on several counts of animal cruelty says she tried to give stray animals a better life. District Court Judge Alex Swiderski sentenced 54-year-old Deborah Allen Thursday for mistreating several dozen cats and dogs. Allen won't be spending any time in jail, but will be on probation for 10 years. Animal-rights activists say Allen's good intentions to adopt strays almost killed her animals. The city removed 32 animals from Allen’s home last October.

Frank Rich, the Willow man who had more than 150 abused dogs taken from his property last year, was sentenced Monday to six months in jail and 10 years on probation. Rich pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. During his probation period he cannot own or care for any animals. In January 2011, Alaska State Troopers seized 168 dogs from Rich's property. Nineteen dogs were found dead, according to veterinarian Katrina Zwolinski. In court Zwolinski testified the animals were emaciated, and many had parasites, cancer and wounds.

In Big Lake Thursday evening, neighbors rushed to a burning house in an effort to save several animals trapped inside. The fire happened just after 6:30 p.m. on the corner of Freeman Way and Rochella Place. An entire side of the two-level home was badly burned. Bystanders were able to pull at least three cats, two dogs and some chickens to safety. A turtle, a frog and some horses in nearby pens also survived. The homeowner, Ingrid McClelland, who lives in the home with her three kids, says she lost two cats and a dog in the blaze.

by Rebecca Palsha Friday, February 5, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Palmer veterinarian Teresa Beck has written a letter to Houston Mayor Roger Purcell, saying the way eight stray animals were shot at the Houston animal shelter Tuesday is inexcusable. For Beck, it's the small victories that make coming to work at the North Star Animal Clinic worth it. "This was Zena. She was brought in very weak, very thin," Beck said. "This dog, she was moments from death -- you can see how thin she is. She's actually gained about a pound a day. " It's also why when Beck heard that four cats and four dogs who had lived at the shelter since November were shot by the Houston Police Department, she knew she had to act. "Using a firearm is to me more instantaneous and humane, but it's obviously less liked by the public," said police Sgt. Charlie Seidl.

Animal Care and Control celebrated "Pet New Year" with the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in an event that promotes pet vaccinations and microchipping. Held at the Alaska Mill and Feed warehouse, the Pet New Year offered discounted rabies vaccinations and microchip clinics.  The AACCC and SPCA emphasized the importance of licensing and tagging pets and gave the first 30 spayed or neutered animals free microchips. The AACCC says that in 2011 only 35% of animals brought to them were returned to their owners.  They say many of the thousands of pets they received showed signs of coming from homes where they were cared for, trained and loved.  However, because the animals have no form of identification they are never returned home.

by Channel 2 News staff Sunday, February 14, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center made some happy couples on Valentine's Day at a pet adoption fair. There were lots of fun things to do like the dog kissing booth, a Valentine-making station, dog fortune-telling and door prizes. The center says it was a successful day, and many pets were adopted. "We do have an excess of animals in the community, but there are a lot of really great animals here," said volunteer Mary O'Connor.

 Repulsive yet attractive: that contradiction in reaction has stirred up quite the buzz at University of Alaska Fairbanks student John Morton's art exhibit, "Unbecoming. " "I'm interested in objects that can have the ability to make a human respond in such a way that they have to look at it, even if they don't want to," Morton said. Stripping away the surface and contemplating what lies beneath: that's what "Unbecoming" is all about. Morton's collection of ceramic creatures on display at UAF has become more than just a part of his thesis project -- it has become controversial.

The Anchorage Fire Department was awarded the "Compassionate Fire Department Award" by the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals after saving the lives of 10 pets from an apartment fire on Government Hill, January 10. The fire department said its top priority is saving human lives but they do rescue animals when they can. "Our top concern is [human] life safety," said AFD engineer Patrick O'Shea, "The first thing we do when we get on scene is to go search the structure and make sure nobody is in it and if while searching we do find pets we will grab them and bring them out.” AFD said all firefighters are trained to use specially designed resuscitation masks for small animals. PETA will be sending the AFD additional resuscitation masks to the department.