_Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue and the  "OHANA MEDIA GROUP" along with our Premier Sponsors Chugach Anesthesia and Mark E. Keller, MD; Gold Sponsors Lynn D. Mitchell, CPA and MakeAScene; Green Sponsor AK Foot and Ankle is revving up for the 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Bow-Wow Ball on Saturday, March 10, 2012.  Q99.7 will again be sponsoring a contest with a limo ride and a table for 8 to the ball. So listen in to the Q and enter for a night of fun.  This year's event will be at the Lions Club in Eagle River. This is a "no paws event" but benefits the dogs and puppies in our care.  Keep checking the site for more details and feel free to scroll down for photos from last years event.

We are very excited about this fundraising event.  It will be an opportunity for the community to join together for some fun and to support a cause very close to many Alaskan hearts.  This is an event that we plan on having on yearly basis.  Our fundraising focus for this year is to enhance our ability to provide for the medical needs of our dogs and puppies.  Last year we spent $85,000 in medical expenses for abandoned dogs and almost $10,000 helping families in the community with care so they could keep their pets.  We want to continue this mission, but we need your help. Just call Angie at 745-7030 if you would like to help by donating an item for the Silent Auction like Chafing Dishes OR if you would like to help with getting items donated from businesses.  We really need help with the Eagle River and Anchorage areas. Thank you Christynne Villa for designing this poster for us! Tickets can be bought here as well as Alaskan Crafters Gift Shop at Creekside Plaza in Wasilla .

_ A few weeks ago, many dog lovers stood in protest at the Palmer Court House.  We were there to represent and advocate for the 160 dogs that were slowly starved at the hands of Frank Rich.  Many of these dogs died because of the neglect and abuse resulting from the lack of care given to them by Mr. Rich.  The others, that survived, bear emotional and psychological scars that may never heal.

Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue (ADPR) took approximately 60 of these puppies and 20 of the adults.  One of these adult dogs was just returned by the adopters, who stated that this dog was just too damaged emotionally to ever trust in a human being again.  We won’t give up!  ADPR will continue our support for this poor animal. 

Recently, Frank Rich called Channel 2 News for a press conference at his home, in order to defend and explain his actions toward his dogs.  What he told them was that these dogs were “like members of his family” and that he “loved” them.  Oh my, suffice it to say, that I am glad not to be loved by Mr. Rich or to be a member of his family.  How does he treat beings that he doesn’t love or consider a family member?  He also stated that he didn’t want Animal Control involved, because he didn’t want his dogs to be euthanized.  Much better, I suppose, to watch them slowly die of thirst and hunger. In fact, in 2007, Mr. Rich asked Animal Control to euthanize many of his dogs because he could not feed them.

Unfortunately, justice is not always swift or fair.  That afternoon in court, Frank Rich backed out of a plea agreement and plans on going to trial.  The pre-trial conference hearing will be held on January 12, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.  Soon it will be a full year since this horror was brought to the public’s attention. 

ADPR asks that you, the public, show your outrage at Frank Rich’s behavior and the damage that he has inflicted on these helpless victims.  Join ADPR in demanding that Mr. Rich serve time in jail, pay any required fines, and NEVER be permitted to own an animal again.  It was YOU, the public, that rose up in defense of these dogs and donated money, food, and other materials to nurture their damaged bodies and emotional state.  Stand up for them again! Come to the Court House on January 12th and give Frank Rich a message that his behavior will not be tolerated. 

Thank you for your support of these helpless dogs.  If you have any questions about protesting at the Court House or other issues regarding this case, please call Angie or Holly at 745-7030.

The date for the hearing has been postponed. The current date is supposed to be either the 23rd or the 30th and it will be at the Palmer Courthouse.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — 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.

"They are not supposed to be eating themselves from the inside out," Zwolinski said.

At least 20 other dogs were euthanized, before some of the seized animals were adopted out.

Rich had appealed the dogs’ seizure, even discussing the case with local media last month. He declined to comment following his sentencing, but during the hearing he told the judge he loved his dogs and they were like family.

Looking back, he said he now understands he had too many dogs and needed help. He testified he spent up to $36,000 a year on dog food.

"Happiness is a large pile of dog food," Rich said.

_ In January of this year, Frank Rich starved over 160 of his dogs and as a result 22 dogs died a slow and horrible death. The others, although they survived physically, suffered emotional and psychological abuse. This was not the first time that Mr. Rich caused his dogs to suffer and eventually die.  He has historically demonstrated that he has no regard for their welfare and sees these poor creatures only as a source of monetary gain. 

The laws need to change and reflect what we now know about animals – dogs, like other animals, are capable of love, loyalty, and experience fear and pain.  It is time that Alaska respect these creatures and make animal abuse a felony, punishable by large fines and prison sentences.  At Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue, we are hoping to help facilitate that change, but we need your help.  If you want to become involved, or have already taken steps to make this change happen, please contact us and let us work together to punish animal abusers.

Since July 22nd, Mr. Rich’s change of plea dates have been rescheduled on a monthly basis.  The latest date scheduled is for December 7th, at 2:30pm.  Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue plans on being a presence at the court house.  We are asking that you come and show your continued support of Alaskan dogs as well.  Contact the Assistant District Attorney, Lindsay Burton, and let her know that we are spreading the seeds of change and will not tolerate animal abuse in Alaska any longer. Call her at 761-5648 and meet us at the court house.

_"The City of Dillingham wishes to express its sincere thanks and gratitude to Renata Hoskins and the other volunteers at ADPR for assisting the Dillingham Animal Control services with animal rescue and making it possible to place many homeless pets in good homes."
Keep up the good work everyone!! You can download the official statement below.

Stryker and Sierra both had their picture taken with Santa. They told him they would really love a forever home for Christmas.
He was able to make their wish come true! We hope to see you next year Santa!