Congratulations! This petition has now been signed by over 144,445 people from every corner of the globe! Let’s keep that momentum going and get that number up to 150,000!

A Word from the Author: I am the daughter of a Yukon trapper. I grew up wearing Mukluks but I have never trapped a day in my life. I am an animal rights advocate and I no longer wear fur. Recently I saw a picture of someone online proudly sporting a lynx fur hat. Now that science can replicate any fabric or fur no animal should ever have to suffer and die in the cruel jaws of a trap for the sake of human vanity.

The Yukon is my homeland it is 186,000 thousand square miles of some of the most pristine wilderness in the world. We are the jewel in Canada's crown and sled dogs have always been our helpmates. My own mother ran dog team but she never raced them – there is a BIG difference between mushing and racing! No sled dog should ever be run to death in a brutal 1,000-Mile race like the Yukon Quest.

THE DEATH RACE: Every year at least one sled dog dies during the Yukon Quest. On February 9th 2018 Boppy the Sled Dog was run to death when he choked to death on his own vomit in minus -55 degrees below zero temperatures. *His owner still competes in the race – in fact many of the mushers who return year after year have already run at least one sled dog to death. The following year another 5 year-old sled dog named Joker died the same way. One year four dogs died in one race.

Sled dogs are forced to run a thousand miles over some of the roughest terrain on the face of the earth hauling a musher and a heavy sleigh in temperatures as cold as minus -55 degrees below zero. Their boots often flip off during the race so that dogs are forced to run barefoot over sharp ice for hundreds of miles. *Most dogs will hold up their paws when temperatures drop below -15 below. The dogs also suffer wounds from harness burn, boots that are too tight, and die from heat stroke.

There are no laws to protect the northern sled dogs. In other words it’s legal to run sled dogs to death in the Yukon! How many more must die?

We are the stewards of the creatures with whom we share this planet and it’s up to us to honour, to respect, and to protect them. Animals do not belong in cages, in tanks, caught in the jaws of a steel trap, or run to death in cruel races. They are living breathing sentient beings that feel love, joy, pain and fear just like we do. We have no right to cause them even a second of pain.

Serving as an animal rights advocate here in the North I stand alone. Who will stand with me? A friend of mine once said, “You are on the right side of the issue as well as history. We cannot allow them to force us to cut our consciences to fit the fashionable straitjacket of the times.” He was right. The Yukon Government should NOT be funding a barbaric race that's killed over 40 sled dogs!

The next Yukon Quest starts on Feb 19th 2022. This year they’re planning to run a ‘Kid’s Quest Drawing Contest’ essentially encouraging children to get involved in a barbaric event where dogs are run to death instead of educating them about the importance of animal welfare.

What You Can Do:

·       Remember that the sled dogs are out there sitting in the dark on the end of a chain in sub-zero temperatures.

·       Honour them this Festive Season by making a donation to this petition in memory of a beloved pet or family member. Even a small donation can make a big difference! With every signature and share you help to raise awareness.

·       Continue to share this petition and shine a spotlight on their desperate plight. Tell the Yukon Government to STOP funding the Yukon Quest!

In Closing: *Facebook has banned all access to my website – likely due to false claims made against me by race supporters. Please also sign and share the petition telling Facebook to end the unsubstantiated ban on my official website. Facebook Ban

Thank You, Merci, Mahsi-cho!

"When you speak for those who have no voice your soul smiles."

pj johnson Poet Laureate of the Yukon.

Ø  *This update in memory of Boppy the Sled Dog who was run to death in minus -55 degrees below zero and over 40 other sled dogs who have died during the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. 

Links:

Ø Facebook Ban on my website

Ø Boppy the Sled Dog - Necropsy

Ø  Highlights of the 2020 Yukon Quest

Ø The Video FOOTPRINTS

Ø The Video "because i am a sled dog"

*Contact Information for Yukon Premier Sandy Silver  

Email: sandy.silver@yukon.ca

Phone: 867-393-7142

Yukon Legislative Assembly
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2C6

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Contact Information for Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley

Email: brendan.hanley@parl.gc.ca

Telephone: 867-668-6565. (Ottawa): 613-995-9368

Constituency Office Main office - Whitehorse

Telephone: 867-668-6565

204 Black Street
Suite 204
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2M9

Hill Office

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
K1A 0A6

*Mail may be sent postage-free to any member of Parliament.