News/Events

Over 150 Malamutes seized in Montana, 10/13/11 - Breeder charged with cruelty and neglect -
Local Humane Society is asking for donations for "Project Malamute"

Mike Chilinski, of Jefferson City, MT. has been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals in what is being termed a "puppy mill" seizure and also with production of dangerous drugs. Chilinski operated Aluk Kennels. All the dogs have been transported to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society (LCHS) in Helena, MT. and they have established "Malamute Village".

The shelter primarily needs donations of money and people can make donations from the shelter's web site here: http://www.mtlchs.org/pages/donate.htm Please specify the donation is for Project Malamute. They estimate it is costing $2400 per day to care for all the Malamutes. Donations can also be mailed to:

Project Malamute
c/o Lewis & Clark Humane Society
PO Box 4455
Helena, MT 59604

The shelter is also looking for donations of 6 ft. plastic folding tables, plastic garden carts, Science Diet Adult and Puppy dog food, Kong Toys, and gift certificates for Murdoch's or Petco in Helena, MT.

People can also call into Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply in Helena and pay for a bag(s) of dog food and they will deliver to the shelter. Murdoch's number is: 406-457-1700. Science Diet Large Breed is $37.99 a bag and the Puppy food is $31.99 a bag. They are discounting each bag $5 for the shelter. Make sure to say your purchase is for the LCHS and you need them to deliver to the shelter. Hint: If you mention Bob Sutherland's name, they will place your order on his loyalty program card and for every 10th bag ordered they will provide another 1 free!

Monetary donations can also be made to AMAL by clicking HERE. Please specify the donation is for "Montana Malamutes". You can also mail donations to AMAL at this address:

Alaskan Malamute Assistance League
c/o Diane Prator
PO Box 54
Concord, NC 28026

AMAL has already purchased nearly a 1/2 ton of dog food for the shelter from donations they have been receiving. Fundraising t-shirts are available to help with this effort. See the AMAL home page on how to order!

You can also email AMAL if you are interested in helping with transport, fostering or adopting any of the dogs once they are released. The email address is: montanamalamuteseizure@gmail.com

There is no way of knowing just when the dogs will be released or how many will be released to rescue. The dogs released to rescue will be fostered under the auspices of the various AMAL rescue affiliates throughout the country. Please contact the nearest AMAL rescue affiliate near you to get approved for fostering and/or adopting. The rescue affiliate list is here.

If you are located within our assistance area - Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada - and you are interested in helping to transport, foster or adopt any of these dogs, or help in other ways, you can email us at: rescue@moonsongmals.org

There are 161 total dogs - 140 adults and the rest puppies. There are pregnant females, so they estimate the total number will be close to 200 when the puppies are all born.

Many of the dogs had very low body condition scores, and all are getting medical attention and care. The dogs won't be available for adoption or release to rescue until the criminal investigation is complete.

Please visit the Project Malamute web page on the shelter's web site. This will be updated and there is information on how to volunteer, donate and links to more news stories and video. You can also visit the shelter's Facebook page.

Thank you for your help. A little bit will go a long way for the malamutes and those helping them at the shelter.

More links:

• AMAL Facebook Page
• Moonsong Malamute Rescue Facebook Page
• Lewis and Clark Humane Society Facebook Page
• Malamutes will stay at shelter until trial, 1/27
• Malamutes in limbo as lawyers argue over judge’s intent, 1/21
• Link to Oct. 18th, 2011 affidavit of State of Montana v. Mike Chilinski, 12/21
• Humane Society of the US covers malamute costs, 12/16
• County Attorney Files Motion for Reconsideration or Further Clarification. 12/16
• Humane society unhappy with dogs ruling, 12/1
• Animal Shelter Director “Very Disappointed” With Ruling on Malamutes, 12/1
• At least 70 dogs to be placed in homes, 12/1
• Mike Chilinski takes the stand, 11/30
• Seized dogs may get new homes soon, 11/30
• Decision on malamutes postponed, 11/23
• Jefferson County hearing addresses Malamute care, 11/10
• Animal cruelty hearing delayed, 11/10
• Prosecuting Malamute case could be costly, says attorney, 11/9
• Future of Malamutes Could be Determined Soon, 11/9
• Court hearing addresses Malamute care, 11/9
• Hearing on dog cruelty case today, 11/9
• Malamute groups offer aid, potential homes, 11/8
• Rescued dogs move indoors at secret location, 11/2
• Malamute Munchies On Sale to Benefit 161 Malamutes at Humane Society, 11/1
• Malamutes moved to off-campus location, 11/1
• 161 malamutes moved from Lewis & Clark Humane Society, 11/1
• Malamutes moved from Humane Society to undisclosed location, 11/1
• Donations roll in to help care for 161 seized dogs, 10/30
• Rescued Malamutes Getting Help From Across the Globe, 10/30
• More donations of food come in and Chilinski has posted bond and is released from jail. Also included are more pics and "exclusive" interview with one of the Mals, 10/27
• Man pleads not guilty to animal cruelty, drug charges, 10/20
• Defendant speaks out, says he is respected breeder, 10/19
• Chilinski pleads not guilty to charges, 10/19
• Story on felony charges, 10/18
• Bozeman Man Owns Malamute From Alleged Puppy Mill, Shocked By Allegations, 10/17
• Story on evaluating and treating the Mals, 10/15
• Story and video of rescued Mals, 10/14
• Video of court proceedings, 10/14
• Story on Vets donating to evaluate the dogs, 10/14
• More images of the seizure, 10/14
• News Article from the Helena Independent Record, 10/14
• Video from the HSUS of the seizure, 10/13
• Video showing "Malamute Village" at the shelter and short interview with the shelter director, Gina Wiest, 10/13
• Short news article, 10/13
• Another news story, video and images, 10/13
  

The old saying "it takes a village" is never truer than it is in rescue. Without all of our volunteers and supporters, many more Malamutes would suffer and even die needlessly due to unforseen circumstances, poorly educated owners, just plain cruelty, and overcrowded shelters. Along that vein, Moonsong would like to share with you a recent rescue story, and Disney's "8 Below" doesn't have anything on us. It began with a phone call from an estranged son whose father had died unexpectedly, leaving behind 8 senior dogs in a difficult situation, on a remote and difficult to access Montana hillside. They were about to become Moonsong's 8 Above....

Read the Eight Above story and see pictures from the rescue.