04/17/2026
As many of you know, the situation with the 25 Willow dogs that all perished due to starvation is upsetting, to say the least. We are all, actually, horrified
Here is a copy of our letter sent to borough managers this morning:
My name is Lisa Hoxworth and I am writing on behalf of AK Cat & Dog Rescue and Animalitos Veterinary Clinic.
Obviously, my concern is the 25 deceased Willow dogs. I am not jumping to conclusions, as I am a large supporter of the Mat-Su Shelter, but what happened to these 25 dogs is unacceptable.
Because the Mat-Su is actually a very small community, even though we are separated by mileage, many of us know the perpetrators and good samaritans involved. So many of these people called and begged for help but were told they couldn’t assist without fear of legal repercussions.
I am asking for full transparency here regarding what happened. I’m certain there were mistakes made along the way and discussing those openly and honestly with the community feels like the best place to start.
What any government agency needs to realize is that red tape, legal matters and human conflict should not ever play a role in saving a life. Those dogs deserved better and this is really upsetting.
Please start your public letters with a lot more than “we are holding an independent investigation.” Tell us you are as horrified as we are. Tell us this is a tragedy and you will get to the bottom of it. Tell us this was unacceptable. Why? Because your letter makes you sound insincere, uncaring and like you are holding an investigation that will likely cover up facts to protect the borough from liability.
We all make mistakes. Every one of us has both over and under reacted to a situation. I support 100% what the shelter does on a daily basis. I admire them greatly and it is an honor to work with them as a rescue partner. That being said, please do these dogs better in death than you did during their life.
If there were any survivors that may need rescue or medical assistance, we are here. Thank you for your time and thank you for all you do.
Lisa Hoxworth