Once again, a corporation caves to political correctness and the lunatic fringe. I think my future travel plans will involve Delta Airlines when I need to escape Anchorage, closing out my Alaska Airlines Visa and using Delta's American Express.

FPETA!

https://www.ktuu.com/content/n...hw0eNZz7L9RN6hBKbsAk

After 40 years, Alaska Airlines will no longer sponsor the Iditarod

By Gilbert Cordova | Posted: Mon 10:08 AM, Mar 02, 2020 | Updated: Mon 10:16 AM, Mar 02, 2020

ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - Alaska Airlines says it will no longer sponsor the Iditarod after doing so for decades.

Alaska Airlines released the following statement:

“We have been part of the Iditarod for more than 40 years and are proud of our sponsorship, which was focused on dog health and safety. As we transition to our new corporate giving strategy, LIFT, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for young people in the communities where we fly, this is a good time to evaluate our sponsorships and make adjustments. As such, we are going to sponsor the 2020 race, giving the Iditarod Trail Committee time to secure new sponsors. We wish the best to the new Iditarod leadership team and the safe running of future races for both dogs and mushers.”

As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines presents the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award to one musher for providing exemplary dog care.

Additionally, Alaska Airlines provides air transportation and dog-care supplies for 45 Iditarod veterinarians who come to Alaska from across the United States to care for the race dogs' health and safety.

Monday People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released a press release saying “PETA is sending the company a box of delicious dog-shaped vegan chocolates” after news broke about Alaska Airlines no longer sponsoring the world-famous sled dog race.

Channel 2 reached out to the Iditarod Trail Committee, once we receive a statement this article will be updated.

Isn't it well known that dogs die, get injured, and are treated cruely by their owners/mushers/whomever. .?

I'm sure there's an argument on either side, but to me it seems cruel. It's not exactly a 2 minute horse race. .

I've watched a few documentaries on the Iditarod and the amount of required dog care during the race is astounding.

Oh and a Husky running in the snow is akin to a Brittany wanting to be in the field pheasant/dove hunting - it's what they do and they LOVE it!!

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
Isn't it well known that dogs die, get injured, and are treated cruely by their owners/mushers/whomever. .?

I'm sure there's an argument on either side, but to me it seems cruel. It's not exactly a 2 minute horse race. .

Those are some broad-stroke generalizations you just made there. You may want to get a bit more informed about dog racing/sledding, perhaps go up to Alaska and interact with the people that participate in the activity. Its about as primal an activity that humans do with dogs. The dogs enjoy running and pulling for their humans, and the humans take an inordinate about of care as they know these dogs allow them to be apart of the pack and they are dependent on each other. Do dog sledding Michael Vick's exist, sure, however, you'll find a lot more animal cruelty in the inner city than you would in the bush.

These dogs aren't the family house pet. They aren't anywhere close to acting like the family Lab, Retriever or, terrier; not to mention even a House Husky's wouldn't stand a chance socializing with regular sled dogs.

One of my Siberians once chased several antelope in flat prairie country a total of 7 miles. From the minute I lost him to driving the 7 miles to where I found him, a total of 25 minutes. He was none the worse for wear. Never had an issue.

They LOVE to run and pull.

In reading the release I have no issues with AK Air and their new Sponsorship program.

We went to the dog kennels at Denali once, the rangers put on a demonstration. The dogs are so powerful they have to hop them on their hind legs or they could drag a person. They tied up 4 or so and had them pull a wheeled sled on a circle track. They were extremely fast. They love this stuff, it is what they were built for.

There are always people involved with other living things, who should not be. In effect, punishing all the decent people for such reasons is ludicrous.

Most "sports" become self-policing by those who are decent.

I loathe emotionally manipulated and/or PC motivated action.

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
Isn't it well known that dogs die, get injured, and are treated cruely by their owners/mushers/whomever. .?

I'm sure there's an argument on either side, but to me it seems cruel. It's not exactly a 2 minute horse race. .

That's what PETA would like you to believe. The race organizers take the health of the dogs very seriously. There are very strict rules about mandatory rest periods and medical examinations of the dogs. The only recent dog death was in 2016 when a drunk native American on a snowmachine was harassing teams during the night and collided with Jeff King's team.

https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/12...w-machine/index.html

More importantly than the rules do some research on the individual mushers. They truly have a love for their dogs, why else would they be doing it? Watch some videos of the teams being harnessed up. Sled dogs truly want to run, that's their passion.

Look at the face below from the official start last year, tell me that isn't a happy dog.


From the Iditarod official website:

https://iditarod.com/leaders-in-dog-care/

- During the race, well over 10,000 veterinary examinations take place to ensure that every dog is healthy and receiving the care it needs. The Iditarod strives to set the standard for fair and generous animal-athlete care, not only during the race, but also prior to the race in an extensive program of intensive pre-race veterinary screening.

- Within 30 days of the race start, each dog receives an ECG evaluation to check for heart abnormalities. In conjunction with this, pre‐race blood tests (CBCs / Chemistry Panels) are performed. All dogs must have a microchip implant at this time.

- A complete pre‐race physical examination is performed on each dog by a licensed veterinarian within 14 days of the race start. Vaccinations must be current.

- All mushers are required to administer a broad spectrum dewormer to their racing dogs within 10 days of the Iditarod Start, using
medication provided to them by the ITC.

- Race veterinarians provide wellness checks not only for the canine athletes throughout the race, but also dogs living in the communities along the trail. Each year, these veterinarians offer vaccination clinics, and are on call to check on dogs in communities that may need veterinary care, as they travel up the trail.

- This organization provides sound guidelines for the care of this special breed of dog in the kennel environment.

- All mushers who enter the 2020 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race must review and certify that their kennel (or the kennel their dogs are housed) meets the ITC Kennel Standards as set out by MUSH with P.R.I.D.E. in their 2009 Kennel Inspection Document.

- Over the past two decades, the ITC has been involved with veterinary research studies at Oregon State University, Oklahoma State University, Ohio State University, University of Illinois, Colorado State University and Cornell University. The information from these studies, focusing on cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal and gastrointestinal health and overall nutrition of sled dogs, have benefited pets around the world.

The vet we use for our critters has been treating the dogs at the Iditarod for at least 10 years that I am aware of.
In fact, he is leaving in a couple of days to go up there.

From what I understand, these sled dogs are monitored and evaluated throughout the race.

I didn't see where AA said they did it because of PETA, only that PETA was sending cookies to AA, I'd imagine that PETA would be pounding the drums a lot harder if it was because of them

Looking at their LIFT program details from the link it does appear they are changing the whole rewards system and it appears they are focused on helping kids in disadvantaged situations vs dog sledding.

It is also labeled under Social responsibility on their web page, so its more a reaction to the social engineering side of the market.

It's been a 40 year run for the Iditerod and AA is still going to sponsor this year not leaving the race unfunded for 2020.

Not sure it's something to get upset with AA over, they are a larger airline now,

Perhaps it will be sponsored by a large dog food conglomerate in the future.

Nascar has gone from Winston, to Sprint, Xfinity, and it will change again...

Such is the life of sponsored events...

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Alaska Airlines released the following statement:

“We have been part of the Iditarod for more than 40 years and are proud of our sponsorship, which was focused on dog health and safety. As we transition to our new corporate giving strategy, LIFT, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for young people in the communities where we fly, this is a good time to evaluate our sponsorships and make adjustments. As such, we are going to sponsor the 2020 race, giving the Iditarod Trail Committee time to secure new sponsors. We wish the best to the new Iditarod leadership team and the safe running of future races for both dogs and mushers.”

As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines presents the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award to one musher for providing exemplary dog care.

Additionally, Alaska Airlines provides air transportation and dog-care supplies for 45 Iditarod veterinarians who come to Alaska from across the United States to care for the race dogs' health and safety.

Monday People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released a press release saying “PETA is sending the company a box of delicious dog-shaped vegan chocolates” after news broke about Alaska Airlines no longer sponsoring the world-famous sled dog race.

Channel 2 reached out to the Iditarod Trail Committee, once we receive a statement this article will be updated.

By their own statement Alaska Airlines seems to acknowledge that their donations have been focused on the care of the dogs, which implies that race dogs are treated humanely and with a focus on safety.

If AA, after 40 years of involvement with the race, decides to divert their contributions and efforts to another cause then, while I find it disappointing, it is their money to donate as they see fit...if, however, PETA has been pressuring AA to stop their charitable involvement with the race, a race intrinsic to the identity and heritage of Alaska, then I find that both even more disappointing and infuriating.

Apparently, from the pic posted, the mushers care enough about the dogs to provide dog boots to protect their paws.

We have several sled dog events here in the Yoop. I have never seen any evidence that it is anything but a labor of love for both dogs and people. And locally, it has to be, since the cash winnings are not all that great.
One of our local Vets goes up to the Iditarod every year on his own dime.

You get the most out of an animal by treating them with respect and care, being consistent, and making sure they know what you want from them. It isn’t really all that different from a child or an employee. To get high level performance, you have to provide high level care and instruction.

The wankers at PETA are much like the urban environmentalists that want to tell farmers how to take care of their land - they have little, if any, clue what they are talking about and the world would likely be a better place if they would all FOAD.

quote:

...The wankers at PETA are much like the urban environmentalists that want to tell farmers how to take care of their land - they have little, if any, clue what they are talking about and the world would likely be a better place if they would all FOAD.

In all the years of motorcycling, I've never seen a Leather clad biker being hassled by PETA,
which leads me to believe they're nothing more than a bunch of Left leaning Pussies.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
There are always people involved with other living things, who should not be. In effect, punishing all the decent people for such reasons is ludicrous.

Most "sports" become self-policing by those who are decent.

I loathe emotionally manipulated and/or PC motivated action.

This includes a certain percentage of the population that should not be involved in any way with the parenting of tiny humans either...

This happens regardless of who drops a sponsorship, other large name companies have also dropped their sponsorship of the Iditarod over the years. Alaska Airlines has probably been one of the larger money contributors..

The companies may want to sponsor other sporting events, and get stretched thin and have to cut ties. It is always a struggle for each year's Iditarod and Yukon Quest race committees to come up with the funds to provide logistics, medical, housing and dog transports. Plus, most of all provide purse money for the mushers.

Each year it seems the purses get larger, coupled with rising expenses to undertake such a large Event.

This is what happens when events grow to the magnitude the Iditarod has. The challenge to be the fastest, means racing teams need top of the line eqpt, food and supplies, and this comes from sponsors. Many mushers , however depend on kind hearted people donating instead of companies for a lot of their support.

The expenses some of the top mushing teams incur during a racing season, including training would stagger your mind if your weren't familar with sledding.

This makes me think of the greyhounds in FL. It is sad that that the airline would pull their sponsorship to such an event. Being a cvt, I’ve been invited to assist in monitoring sled dogs at check points, and while I never took on the task, I had a good vet friend who came from states away every year to vet the sled dog events we had in our area. I can assure you, these dogs are checked over throughly and regularly at checkpoints throughout the race, and pulled if there’s even a question. The competitors love their dogs and feed them better than they eat themselves. They regulate themselves.

My neighbor is a vet and is leaving Thursday for Alaska. She has been a vet of this race for several years and is a champion for the dogs. She says the dogs get excellent care and are closely monitored for any injuries. I don't see a problem with the race.