A Krabloonik dog in summer

A Krabloonik dog in summer

Krabloonik mushers call for change at dog-sledding kennel

by Andrew Travers, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Voices for the Sled Dogs Mission and Vision Statements

Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs Mission: To raise the standard of care for Colorado sled dogs, inclusive of changing the current laws and regulations to represent responsible tethering of working dogs.

Voices for the Sled Dogs Vision: A respect for working dogs in Colorado, which includes consistent clean food and water, safe shelter and adequate, year-round socialization and exercise that is fit and ethical for a working dog.



Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs is now on Facebook and Twitter

Like our page on Facebook: Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs

Follow us on Twitter @VoicesSledDogs

Krabloonik dogs in summer.

Krabloonik dogs in summer.

MARCH 12, 2010 ACTION ALERT!

To: Kate.anderson@ag.state.co.us, Keith.roehr@ag.state.co.us John.stulp@ag.state.co.us 

Title suggestion: Please amend the current tethering waiver

Dear Drs. Anderson, Roehr, and Stulp, 

I have concern for dogs who can be tethered indefinitely. I ask The Colorado Department of Agriculture to amend the current tethering waiver so these dogs exercise and socialize on a daily basis. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely, 

YOUR NAME

Call to Action!

You can use copy the letter below to send to the representatives listed below. We want PACFA, city and town representatives to know how many people are counting on them to help Colorado sled dogs.




Title suggestion: Please modify the tethering waiver language for Colorado sled dogs

Dear Colorado Representatives,

I am concerned about the current Colorado tethering laws that permit Colorado sled dogs to be tethered 24 hours per day.

Please amend the current tethering waiver per the suggestions made by Voices for Sled Dogs, making it mandatory for the dogs to be off of the chains for at least 60 minutes every day.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME

The letter should go to the following (you can copy and paste entire list):

Kate.anderson@ag.state.co.us, Keith.roehr@ag.state.co.us John.stulp@ag.state.co.us, butlermrky@aol.com, johnwilk@bikerider.com, mordkin@rof.net, snowmassreed@gmail.com, billb@rof.net, rforrest@tosv.com, asmythe@tosv.com, gail.schwartz.senate@gmail.com, repcurry@gmail.com

You can also call:

Dr. Kate Anderson, PACFA Administrator: 303.239.4100 x4168

Dr. Keith Roehr, Assistant State Veterinarian:303.239.4100 x4166

Dr. John Stulp, Commissioner of the Dept. of Ag: (303) 239-4100

Two Critical Violations Reported in Krabloonik Inspection Report

Two critical violations reported in The Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) inspection report for Krabloonik dated 1/11/10. The Krabloonik 1/11/10 violations include animal care ("Primary enclosures...shall be constructed and maintained to enable the animals to remain dry and clean...") and storage ("...food storage... area is heavily soiled with rodent droppings").

The PACFA program is a licensing and inspection program under the umbrella of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of those animals in pet c...are facilities throughout Colorado.

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1167928256523See More

January 13, 2010 Update

From the members of Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs:

It has been more than a year and a half since the inception of our group. We would like to thank the thousands of individuals who have reached out to us and offered support. Your voices have been heard and all of your comments and concerns have been read. Please continue to follow our progress.

We will be posting updates and calls to action for the many concerned citizens of our community, state of Colorado, and interested media and animal rights groups around the country and world.




Winter Conditions

Winter Conditions

Winter Conditions

Winter Conditions

Winter Conditions

Winter Conditions
Krabloonik Kennels is a dog-sledding operation and restaurant located in Snowmass Village, Colorado. The standard of care for the 220+ sled dogs has been under public scrutiny for many years. Krabloonik has been cited by the Colorado Department of Agriculture on several occasions over the past several years for noncompliance with state regulations.

Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs is working to rectify current violations and to raise the minimum standard of care to a higher level.

Please see below for updates, how to get involved, and to get informed about sled dog operation standards.
PLEASE HELP US GIVE THESE DOGS A VOICE.

CONTACT INFORMATION

TO REACH VOICES FOR THE KRABLOONIK DOGS, EMAIL:

VOICESFORTHEKRABLOONIKDOGS@GMAIL.COM



Goals: Ten Standards of Care

The objective of Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs is to expediently improve the quality of life and significantly raise the standard of care for the Krabloonik sled dogs year round.

The following are the list of changes we deem imperative to improve:

1. Rectify all Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) violations cited against Krabloonik from the Colorado Department of Agriculture immediately.

2. Improve shelter, water, and feeding conditions.

3. Implement a regular exercise regime year-round, resulting in time off the chains.

4. Document and control the population and breeding of the dogs.

5. Implement a spay/neuter program.

6. Ensure proper and timely veterinary care for injured and ill dogs.

7. Provide socialization for the dogs.

8. Additional, year-round, educated staff for the care of the dogs and their surroundings.

9. Create a Retirement/Rescue program for old or non sled dogs.

10. Establish an Advisory Committee to monitor year round care and conditions of the dogs and their environment.


VIEW SLIDESHOW: Conditions of Krabloonik Sled Dogs

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE DOGS OF KRABLOONIK:
1. MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION: Improve the Conditions for Colorado sled dogs: To donate funds, please make your check payable to Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter (or FAAS).
P.O. Box 985
Aspen, CO 81612
*Please note "Voices for the Krabloonik Dogs" on the memo portion of your check.

2. CALL AND EMAIL: The Town of Snowmass and The Town Council Members:

A PHONE NUMBER AND LIST OF EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE TOWN OF SNOWMASS:

The Town of Snowmass: (970) 923-3777
Sally Sparhawk: sally@sparhawkconsulting.com
John Wilkinson: johnwilk@bikerider.com
Arnie Mordikin: mordkin@rof.net
Reed Lewis: snowmassreed@gmail.com
Aspen Daily News: letters@aspendailynews.com
Aspen Times: cabraham@aspentimes.com
Snowmass Sun: mosberger@snowmasssun.com
Mayor Douglas Mercatoris: dmerc@rof.net

Aspen Daily News: Locals Hope to Reform Krabloonik


Zach Ornitz/Aspen Daily News
From left: Activists Lee Ann Vold and Bill Fabrocini have made it their goal to create change in the manner in which the Krabloonik sled dogs are cared for during the summer months. They would like to see more human interaction with the dogs and scheduled walks off their 6-foot-long tethers.

Two longtime locals are organizing an effort to change how the Krabloonik dog-sledding kennel and restaurant treats its dogs. And the operation’s longtime owner is apparently willing to listen.

The Snowmass Village-based sledding operation keeps its 260-plus dogs outdoors, chained to raised wooden planks, from May to November while their mushers are gone. Cries for reform at the kennel — which was cited for 10 violations of state law for dog breeders in May — are nothing new for Krabloonik. It has long been a source of consternation for some in the animal-friendly Aspen area, and public outcry crescendoed in 2005 when it was publicized that owner/operator Dan MacEachen was shooting dogs that were too old or weak to pull sleds. He has since disavowed the practice.

This latest effort to change Krabloonik is led by Bill Fabrocini and Lee Ann Vold. They’re organizing residents concerned about Krabloonik, and they’ve spoken to mushers across North America, along with state officials, about the dog-sledding business and how sled-dogs are treated elsewhere. They say they’ve found that standards at Krabloonik, the largest commercial sledding operation in the lower 48 states, fall below those of other mushing operations.

Their immediate goal, they say, is to get the dogs off their chains for daily exercise during the off-season, and to get more staff to care for the dogs at the kennel.

“The goal is not to get his license revoked or to run him out of town,” said Fabrocini, an orthopedist and trainer at the Aspen Club. “We want to raise the standard of care for the Krabloonik dogs year-round.”

Vold, a longtime Snowmass Village resident, said she decided to start devoting time to reforming Krabloonik after she passed the tethered dogs on her regular hike down the Ditch Trail.

“There are so many people that have expressed their passion about this issue,” she said. “And so many people who have ended up turning their heads, so nothing ever happens. But I can’t even bring myself to go to the Ditch Trail anymore and see these dogs. We need to stop turning our heads and change this business.”

Zach Ornitz/Aspen Daily News
From left: Activists Lee Ann Vold and Bill Fabrocini have made it their goal to create change in the manner in which the Krabloonik sled dogs are cared for during the summer months. They would like to see more human interaction with the dogs and scheduled walks off their 6-foot-long tethers.

The two locals are not animal rights activists or alarmists; basically, they’re just average citizens. And that’s what will make them effective, says Aspen/Pitkin County Animal Shelter owner/operator Seth Sachson.

“They’re covered because they’re nice Aspen community people,” Sachson said. “It’s not just another crazy tourist writing a letter to the papers.”

Sachson, a former musher at Krabloonik who left early in his first winter there, contacted Krabloonik’s MacEachen this week and asked if he would meet with Fabrocini and Vold about their concerns. MacEachen, who has not returned calls from this newspaper since the 2005 scandal, agreed to meet them in coming weeks.

“I told Dan that these people are not going away,” Sachson said. “I told him, ‘They’ll work with you or they will work against you. It’s your choice.’”

Sachson himself has developed a program that socializes and rehabilitates retired Krabloonik dogs at his shelter, a partnership with MacEachen in which the shelter takes dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. Leaving Krabloonik, the huskies and mixed-breeds generally cannot walk in straight lines, house train, or interact with humans the way a domesticated dog would. The working animals, who pull sleds in the winter and are tethered during the off-season, usually require several months to stand comfortably upright, Sachson said. He has adopted out 27 of them in the last three years and has seven living at the shelter.

Fabrocini and Vold launched their campaign in a letter to the editor to the Aspen Times Weekly on Aug. 10. After meeting with MacEachen, the pair plan to address Snowmass Village Town Council during public comment on Sept. 8.

The town of Snowmass Village bought the Krabloonik land and leased it to MacEachen in 2006 for $200 a month, giving the town leverage to impose higher standards of care on the dog-sled kennel, if they so choose. One term of the lease, Fabrocini points out, is that Krabloonik abide by all state laws and regulations, which it is not doing.

Snowmass Village Mayor Douglas Mercatoris said yesterday that he has no opinion of the current state of the kennel, but that he would be happy to listen to the Krabloonik crusaders at the meeting.

“The council may not act on its own, and Dan is not going to act on his own,” Fabrocini said of their prospects for changing Krabloonik, “but if enough people stand up and get behind us, there will be a change there.”
andrew@aspendailynews.com

(Left to Right) Holly Tarry, Colorado Director of The Humane Society of The United States and Voices co-founder Bill Fabrocini.

A MESSAGE FROM VOICES FOR THE SLED DOGS:

VOICES FOR THE SLED DOGS A VOICE IS MADE UP OF PITKIN COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO THE VALUES AND VISIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF COLORADO SLED DOGS, AND TO WORK WITH LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO HELP BRING ABOUT THE NECESSARY CHANGES NEEDED TO PROTECT THESE ANIMALS. WE KINDLY ASK THAT SUPPORTERS ABIDE BY ALL STATE LAWS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT OUR EFFORTS TO HELP THE SLED DOGS WILL BE QUICK AND EFFECTIVE. PLEASE FOLLOW THE "HOW YOU CAN HELP" STEPS LISTED ABOVE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN, SUPPORT AND INTEREST.

MORE THAN 260 SLED DOGS AT KRABLOONIK KENNELS IN SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLORADO THAT ARE IN NEED OF OUR HELP. PLEASE SUPPORT US IN HELPING THEM
.

PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL AT VOICESFORTHEKRABLOONIKDOGS@GMAIL.COM.

Attend the Nov. 3rd Town of Snowmass Village Council Meeting



KRABLOONIK SLED DOG ISSUE OVERVIEW
Town of Snowmass Village Council Meeting
Monday, November 3rd 4:00 pm

Speakers: Lee Ann Vold & Bill Fabroccini


I. History of How Voices for Krabloonik & Krabloonik Advisory Committee Formed

II. Voices For Krabloonik Mission Statement
To improve the living conditions for the Krabloonik dogs and ensure they are provided a higher standard of care on a daily/year-round basis. To establish a healthy, safe, and stable environment for the sled dogs.

III. Krabloonik Advisory Committee Mission Statement
To expand upon the “Voices” mission by identifying the challenges and implementing solutions to uphold the standards of care and to oversee the continued and regulated care of the Krabloonik sled dogs.

IV. Review the Ten Standards of Care Needing Improvement Outlined in the September Town Council Mtg.
1. Rectify all Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) violations cited against Krabloonik from the Colorado Department of Agriculture immediately.
2. Improve shelter, water, and feeding conditions.
3. Implement a regular exercise regime year-round, resulting in time off the chains.
4. Document and control the population and breeding of the dogs.
5. Implement a spay/neuter program.
6. Ensure proper and timely veterinary care for injured and ill dogs.
7. Provide socialization for the dogs.
8. Additional, year-round, educated staff for the care of the dogs and their surroundings.
9. Create a Retirement/Rescue program for old or non sled dogs.
10. Establish an Advisory Committee to monitor year round care and conditions of the dogs and their environment
V. Current Accomplishments/Successes
a. Advisory Group
b. Vet Day
c. Adoptions

VI. Continuing Challenges
a. Lack of Exercise
b. Consistent Watering Daily
c. Population/Size 290 dogs

d. Adequate Staffing Year-round
e. Educating the Public
f. Flawed Business model

VII. Future Plan of Action
a. Continue Bi-monthly Advisory Committee Mtgs
b. Establish Deadlines/Time Frames for Appropriate Funding Needed for Challenges (ie:fencing, staffing)
c. Improve Public Awareness/Education on Current Status of Krabloonik Dogs
d. Expand Committees Knowledge on How Dogs Cared for at Other Dog Sled Operations
e. Continue Adoptions
f. SM Town Council Remains Active in Process via Town Manager, Animal Control, Police, Concerned Citizens
g. Schedule Future Town Council Mtg to Review Progress/Challenges

CONTACT AUTHORITIES IF YOU HAVE WITNESSED NEGLECT OR ABUSE OF SLED DOGS OR ANY OTHER ANIMALS:

1. CALL SNOWMASS VILLAGE ANIMAL CONTROL-Laurie Smith and/or Tina White at (970) 923-4794

*Please make sure you request they document your complaint

2. CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S PET ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES PROGRAMS (PACFA)-PACFA licenses and inspects pet animal facilities throughout Colorado. First-hand animal care complaints should be filed with PACFA online at:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1183672553130&pagename=Agriculture-Main%2FCDAGLayout


A general one-time complaint regarding the way PACFA has handled Krabloonik can be made to:

Dr. Kate Anderson, PACFA Administrator: Kate.anderson@ag.state.co.us  

Dr. Keith Roehr, Assistant State Veterinarian: Keith.roehr@ag.state.co.us 

Dr. John Stulp, Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture: John.stulp@ag.state.co.us 

3. CONTACT STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR: Each person has one of each based on the address where they are registered to vote. You can look them up at 

http://www.votesmart.org/

4. CONTACT THE GOVERNOR OF COLORADO about concerns through his online comment form at: