FAIRBANKS — Retired sprint dog musher Lynn Orbison is heading south today hauling a truckload of donated dog supplies to aid in the care of 156 neglected and starving dogs seized by troopers Monday from a Montana Creek breeder in the Susitna Valley.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Shelter, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of sick and dying dogs and puppies, is welcoming donations of supplies and money to care for the animals, most of which require treatment and special foods to get them well.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner is serving as a drop off point for smaller items needed by the Palmer-area shelter that will be delivered next week by local volunteers.

Items requested include metal dog bowls, blankets, towels, latex gloves and medium and large pet crates.

Orbison loaded her truck Wednesday night and another volunteer’s truck with everything from kennel bedding to bowls, dog treats, a chain link kennel and four dog houses.

“I’m take my grooming kit along. I may be able to trim toenails,” Orbison said.

Richard Stockdale, who took on the Mat-Su shelter manager position Jan. 3, is busy but unfazed with the emergency measures taken to accommodate the shelter’s new residents.

With 23 years experience handling animals, most recently in Flathead County Montana, Stockdale said learning new office procedures and computer programs is more challenging than handling the ailing dogs.

“I know that and I’m very comfortable with the animal part,” he said.

All of the 156 dogs at the shelter have been evaluated by a veterinarian and are receiving medical attention, Stockdale said.

“They are being food monitored now, and next week we will be getting daily weight reports on animal recovery.”

Only one recovered animal had to be euthanized, Stockdale said, because of an injury that could not be treated.

The Mat-Su shelter’s 66 kennels for dogs for adoption was near capacity when the malnourished, rescued dogs were brought in. In order to make room for the new arrivals, the shelter is lowering the price for dog and puppy adoptions to $79 or $17 if the dog is already spayed or neutered.

“The staff has been doing a wonderful job. And a good portion of the volunteer base is helping out where they can, and the local folks in Palmer and Wasilla are helping out,” Stockdale said. “People are taking this seriously, and the donations of money and food have been wonderful.”

Stockdale’s main concern is the time factor and long-term care that might ensue until the criminal case is concluded.

“The animals are evidence and until this is resolved sometime in the (legal) system, we have to hold them,” Stockdale said. “These things tend to drag on, and looking at the worst case scenario, the food is going to be a big issue down the road.”

The dog breeder, Frank J. Rich, now custody at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility, has pleaded not guilty to 50 counts of animal cruelty.

Information and donations

• Daily updates on the rescued dogs can found at www.matsugov.us/animalcare/news.

• Monetary donations by credit card will be taken over the phone at the Mat-Su Animal Shelter. Call 1-907-746-5500.

• Donations by check may be mailed to Animal Care & Regulation, Attn: Richard Stockdale, 350 E. Dahlia Ave, Palmer, AK 99645

• Supplies may be delivered to the Mat-Su Shelter at 9470 Chanlyut Circle, Palmer. Check Web site for updated information.

• Cash donations can be deposited in the Mat-Su Shelter Advocates Fund at Wells Fargo, account No. 9373598334.

• Donations of metal dog bowls, blankets, towels, paper towels, 30-gallon plastic bags, latex gloves and medium and large pet crates may be dropped off at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 200 N. Cushman St.

Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.