Tell Healthcare Organization Providence to Stop Supporting the Deadly Iditarod

This March, Alaska will again host the Iditarod, a cruel race in which dogs are forced to run across 1,000 miles of dangerous, frozen terrain. The race is so treacherous that up to half the dogs forced to begin it will never cross the finish line due to exhaustion, illness, and injuries along the trail.

During last year’s race, a dog named Faloo suffered injuries so severe she had to be airlifted to emergency surgery after her musher prioritized winning instead of seeking immediate veterinary care. Three dogs died mid-race after being forced to run well beyond their bodily limits. And five other dogs were killed before the race in two different training sessions when they were hit by snow machines, injuring eight others.

Animal abuse is prohibited by God in scripture (Proverbs 12:10), yet Providence Alaska Medical Center, part of a Catholic organization, is still sponsoring the deadly Iditarod. Their sponsorship directly violates the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which tells us, “It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly (2417)”. Please join us in reminding Providence that the Iditarod violates Christian values and ask them to cut ties with this abusive event.

Compassionate people of faith are called to be bold advocates for animals. Download our free Creation Care Toolkit for more ideas on how to help animals in your community and worldwide!