Update on the Status of the Sitka Animal Shelter 

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The Sitka Animal Shelter has been a vital part of our community since 1993, providing care and compassion to animals in need. For over 30 years, it has been one of the many essential services the City and Borough of Sitka has supported.

 

As many of you know, 2024 brought significant challenges and changes to the operations of the Sitka Animal Shelter and our partnership with the City. This included barring volunteers from the shelter, a decision to stop providing basic medical care for shelter animals, and a lack of transparency regarding shelter policies and practices.

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FOSAS shared these concerns with the Sitka Police Department and City Leadership in August, September and October 2024. Our concerns largely went ignored. On October 7th, 2024, FOSAS and the SAS volunteers wrote a Letter to the Editor, making our concerns public and inviting the community to attend the October 8th Assembly Meeting in support of the shelter, the animals and FOSAS. 

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During the meeting, Assembly Members gave three directives

 

Following the October 8th Assembly Meeting, FOSAS are actively working with the City to address these concerns and find a sustainable path forward for the well-being of Sitka's animals.

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We share your frustration that the negotiations have not yet produced a new agreement and a shelter returned to operating status. But we are taking great care to ensure whatever agreement results from these talks leads to a sustainable shelter operation in which exclusion of volunteers, unacceptable standards of care and unjustifiable euthanasia can never happen again.

 

While these challenges tested us as an organization and as a community, they also highlighted the values that make Sitka an extraordinary place to live. At the heart of Sitka’s strength are its people—kind, compassionate, and community-minded individuals who reflect a strong commitment to the spirit of our City’s motto: Service, Integrity, Teamwork, Kindness, and Accountability. These values inspire our vision for the future of

the Sitka Animal Shelter:

 

• Service: Operating a humane animal shelter is a critical service our City and community members support, ensuring that Sitka’s animals are cared for and protected as they await their forever homes. 

• Integrity: Upholding the highest standards in animal welfare reflects our community’s commitment to doing what is right for every animal that enters the shelter’s doors.

• Teamwork: The shelter thrives on the dedication and collaboration of its incredible volunteers and community members. Together, we provide high-quality care and create a safe, nurturing environment for Sitka’s animals.

• Kindness: Many animals that come to the shelter are frightened or confused. Treating them with kindness and compassion eases their transition and makes their stay as stress-free as possible.

• Accountability: We envision a shelter that operates with transparency and responsibility, prioritizing the welfare of its animals while fostering trust within the community.

 

These values and vision remind us of the strength and compassion that define Sitka and its people. The Sitka Animal Shelter is no exception. 

 

Thank you for standing by us through the highs and lows. Together, we’re making a difference—one wagging tail, one purring friend, and one successful adoption at a time. As we enter a new year, let us embrace the spirit of compassion and collaboration that defines FOSAS and our community. Stay tuned for updates, opportunities to get involved, and ways to share your vision for the future of the Sitka Animal Shelter.