Because the cans cannot easily be detached, they are rarely cleaned or disinfected. Injured and old, arthritic dogs are kept outside in the winter when the average daily minimum temperatures range from -24 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is painful for these dogs to be in the intense cold. Some dogs are never bathed, and nothing is done to help them cool off no matter how hot it gets. The only shade they get is inside their dirty doghouse, or under their doghouse if they are lucky enough to have one that's raised off the ground.
Some kennels have few employees, so that each dog gets little attention.
They are unhappy prisoners with no chance of parole. The sponsors of the Iditarod have a responsibility to help insure that the dogs in the race come from kennels where they are humanely treated. The standards should be established by animal welfare groups. Dogs from kennels that fail to meet these standards would not be allowed to race. Please help the dogs.