Bringing Hope to Davis Park: An Alaska SPCA Outreach
- Alaska SPCA
- Apr 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 4
It’s a sunny Thursday in the middle of March, and spring is in the air. The trees are sparse, offering little coverage to the woods that border the heavily trafficked Mt. View Drive, where cars and pedestrians move constantly. Bright blue tarps stretch over makeshift frames, standing out against the bare trees and old RVs are lined up on both sides of the parking lot. Just beyond, a small crowd gathers at the back of a van, where a woman is serving soup. As we scan the area, we spot a small open space to pull the Alaska SPCA Mutt Mobile in. We quickly get out and begin unloading the packed van full of pet supplies. The people visiting the nearby van slowly walk over, many eyeing the large plastic totes overflowing with blankets.
“Can I take one?” someone asks.
“Sure, take what you need!” Greg responds in his friendly Massachusetts accent. Greg, a kennel tech at the Alaska SPCA, has been part of every outreach event at Davis Park since it began in late fall.
Two tables are set up beside the blankets, covered with gallon-sized bags of cat and dog food, jugs of water, pet toys, dishes, harnesses, leashes, and dog jackets. Tia, the Alaska SPCA’s customer service representative supervisor, hands out bags to the ever-growing crowd, their arms quickly filling with much-needed pet supplies. Meanwhile, Margaret, the volunteer and outreach coordinator, sorts through a tote full of harnesses, searching for the right size for a big brindle dog named Titan. His owner, Rara, watches with appreciation, commenting on how nice the pet supplies are.
A Mother Dog in Need
A short while later, a soft-spoken woman approaches our table and asks if we can check on her dogs. Her dog, Nala, who is nine years old, had two puppies one week ago. As the staff walks over to her camp, Melanie tells us that Nala is her emotional support dog and that she’s had her since she was five weeks old. They have been through a lot together, and now she is worried about Nala and the puppies’ health.
When we arrive at her camp, Melanie ducks inside her makeshift tent and soon comes out with two puppies and a senior momma Nala trailing behind her. She hands one puppy to Greg, named Onyx, and the second to Margaret, named Princess Beauty. As they both gently cradle the puppies, Melanie explains how someone had recently stolen her propane tank, leaving her without heat. The blankets she has are used to keep her dogs warm at night, while she sleeps with only the cover of her jacket.
While the puppies cuddle in the arms of the staff, nine-year-old Nala eats a bit of snow, clearly suffering from dehydration. Many of the dogs and cats at Davis Park are dehydrated due to the lack of access to clean water for the houseless community in the area. This is one reason our street outreach is so important. Melanie tears up as she explains that she didn’t think Nala could get pregnant anymore due to her age. Sharing knowledge and access to care is another invaluable part of this outreach. Many pet owners want the best for their beloved animals but lack access to pet education and veterinary care.
Alaska SPCA’s Role in Street Outreach
That’s where the Alaska SPCA steps in. Dr. Iacobucci, a veterinarian at the Alaska SPCA, often attends these outreaches, providing vaccinations and educating owners on pet health and safety. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make it this Thursday, so we assure Melanie that the vet will be here in two weeks when the puppies are three weeks old. Hopefully, by then, the Alaska SPCA staff will have gained Melanie’s trust, and Dr. Iacobucci will be able to encourage her to allow us to spay Nala.
Before we say our goodbyes, the staff brings over three gallon-sized bags of dog food, two garbage bags filled with blankets, six gallons of water, and two dog bowls, hoping the dehydrated Nala will regain some strength. By the time we return to the van, the crowd has dispersed, and it’s time to load up and head back to the office.
Compassion in Action
Care, Compassion, and Community—that’s Alaska SPCA’s tagline. But you don’t have to see it written in our logo to know that’s what we stand for. You can see it in our 70 year history of serving communities across Alaska. You can hear it when you speak with any of our staff, whether it’s on the phone scheduling a pet’s appointment, surrendering a pet to our Adoption Center, or receiving supplies at an outreach. And you can feel it each time a pet's life is changed for the better.
Care, compassion, and community is not just what we do—it’s who we are.
But more importantly, fellow animal advocate, it’s who you are too. Making a gift to Alaska SPCA is an impactful way to care for Alaska’s pets and ensure our programs and outreaches continue to reach the pets and people of Alaska.
Alaska SPCA is an independent, Alaskan nonprofit. We are not affiliated with the national ASPCA. Our vital work is made possible through the generosity of individual community members, businesses, and grant funders.
In 2025, we are celebrating 70 years of care, compassion, and community.
Thank you, our fellow Alaskans, for your unwavering support in making this milestone possible.
Join us in building the next 70 years of service—make a gift today!
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