ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – As efforts continue to evacuate residents from Western Alaska, Bethel Friends of Canines is working to rescue dozens of dogs which families were forced to leave behind in the aftermath of ex-Typhoon Halong.

“At first, we kind of thought we were just going to be more of a supportive role for the villages,” said Jesselyn Elliott, executive director of Bethel Friends of Canines. “We had posted if anybody needed dog food, and then we kind of realized like the magnitude of the devastation that has happened.”

In the days since evacuations first began, Elliot told Alaska’s News Source that around 70 dogs have been taken in by the shelter, many of them transported by plane.

“We’ve had one, two, three, three flights so far that have come in with dogs and there’s still maybe a dozen or so there,” she said.

According to Elliot, this is the largest number of dogs the shelter has ever taken in at once.

“We’re used to volume, just not at one time,” she said.

“We’re a really tiny shelter, you know, there’s one to two of us usually doing like the daily work, and then at times when it is busy, there’s maybe a handful of us, so this is this has been huge compared to anything we’ve ever done.”

Despite the increased volume, Elliot said many of the rescued dogs have been settling into their new environment quickly.

“They’re confused, they’re a little stressed, but I mean, honestly, the village dogs are so resilient and they’re great with everything and everybody.”

“They bounce back really quickly from things that are, you know, thrown their way.”

Along with housing dogs at the shelter, Bethel Friends of Canines are working with local organizations and families to help foster rescued animals.

Community members are also working with Bethel Friends of Canines to help get evacuated families in contact with the shelters in the hopes of reuniting them with their pets.

“Thankfully, the communities are small, so everybody kind of knows everybody,” she said.

“I’m hoping a large percentage of these guys will go back home.”

As families continue to evacuate from western Alaska, Elliot wanted to reassure them that there are organizations working to care for their beloved pets.

“They’re fed, they’re watered, they’re walked, they’re loved, and I would like to get them home to you guys as soon as we can.”

Those hoping to identify a dog they had to leave behind, or those looking to donate or volunteer with the shelter, can find more information at Bethel Friends of Canine’s website.

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