
AugustFund for AK Racing Dogs in NEED of new base
The August Foundation for Alaska Racing Dogs took a BIG hit yesterday when our co-founder Julie St. Louis was told that she and the dogs need to be out of the current August Fund Headquarters by April when the lease is up. She has been there for the last five years and was given no warning or option to buy the place. With all the hard work that has gone into setting up this property as a safe space for the dogs, this is a crushing blow. And it's very inconsiderate that she was not at least given the chance to be the person to purchase the property. Julie is the blood, sweat and tears of the August Fund. We have come so far...so close to the tipping point. Our adoption numbers are up. The current headquarters was finally a safe space for the dogs - foster failures, forever fosters because of circumstances and new fosters, a good location between the valley and Anchorage. Mushers nearby. It felt right for once and now this. Julie can have anywhere from 5 to 15 dogs (imagine the dog food bill alone) at a time depending on how many are in need of fostering while forever homes are found. So it's not like she can up and move to any old place. And the idea of having to move in Alaska in April is crazy. There are so many sections of fence, etc that will still be frozen to the ground at that point. This whole situation is just so unfair and so overwhelming for Julie. I can't imagine what she must be going through mentally having this bomb dropped on her out of nowhere, especially as we head into winter.
The August Fund needs a permanent headquarters. One where Julie can continue to foster dogs in a safe space, as they transition from the trail to the couch and eventually their forever home. One where she doesn't have to answer to a landlord or worry about the place being ripped out from under her with little notice. So ideally, it would be best to purchase something, but at this point we are open to any and all ideas. Anyone with land (we could put up a tiny home) or home in Chugiak willing to let us rent, lease to own, maybe buy depending, for quiet human and amazing dogs and purpose. HELP! Also consider Anchorage, Eagle River too. But really not farther than Chugiak.
The money I am raising will go to help Julie move the entire August Fund Headquarters. And it would be incredible to raise enough money to go towards a down payment to help purchase a spot to be the official home base and never have to worry about renting/dealing with landlords again. I wasn't even sure what to set the goal for this fundraiser at. So I picked $15,000 but hoping we can blow the doors off of that goal and help Julie who does so much for Alaskan sled dogs! Please help by donating and sharing this campaign folks!
https://www.facebook.com/TheAugustFoundationforAlaskaRacingDogs
The August Foundation for Alaska Racing Dogs. Helping rehome/provide vet care for retired Iditarod, Yukon Quest and competitive sprint sled dogs.
This is why we do what we do. Check out these amazing dogs finding their amazing forever homes!