Purina Donates 45,000 Pounds of Dog Food to Support Rural Communities in Western Alaska Recovering from Typhoon Halong

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Apr 01, 2026, 14:31 ET

ST. LOUIS, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestlé Purina PetCare Company is helping support pets and people in rural Western Alaska by donating 45,000 pounds of Purina dog food to communities still recovering from Typhoon Halong.

The storm struck Alaska in October 2025 and brought hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding, heavily impacting nearly 50 rural and native communities. In many of these regions, dogs play a critical role in daily life, providing not only companionship, but transportation and safety—making access to nutrient dense pet food essential.

Purina is helping support pets and people in rural Western Alaska by donating 45,000 pounds of Purina dog food to communities still recovering from Typhoon Halong. Supporting communities in times of crisis is a core part of Purina’s commitment to keeping pets and people together. Purina works closely with Greater Good Charities to provide timely assistance—combining pet food donations, emergency funding, and operational expertise to help pet owners care for their animals during recovery.

To support rural Western Alaska communities recovering from Typhoon Halong, Purina produced and donated a 45,000 pounds of dog food, partnering with Greater Good Charities to coordinate transport from Purina's Eden, North Carolina, factory to Tacoma, Washington. An emergency grant from the Purina Foundation covered shipping costs to get the pet food to Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc., who is working with a network of transportation partners to deliver the dog food to impacted communities.

Purina learned about the ongoing need in Western Alaska from Dr. Arleigh Reynolds, DVM, PhD, D.A.C.V.N., a retired Purina veterinarian, scientist and current medical advisor working with Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc., an organization dedicated to improving animal health in remote Alaska communities. "Purina has a long and dedicated history of helping pets and their owners when they need it most. Dogs play a huge role in the emotional and mental health resilience and recovery responses to traumatic events like this typhoon. We are so very grateful for this lifesaving support," said Dr Reynolds.

"Dogs are essential to daily life in many of Alaska's rural communities, and access to food can be a real challenge long after a disaster makes headlines," said Angie Fitch, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. "Purina's generosity—and the commitment of so many transportation partners—will make a meaningful difference for dog owners in communities that are still working to recover months after Typhoon Halong. This support helps ensure families can continue caring for the dogs they love and depend on."

Moved by the scale and persistent challenges facing pet owners months after the storm, Purina mobilized a plan to send help. In addition to producing and donating a full truckload of dog food, Purina partnered with Greater Good Charities to coordinate the logistics required to transport the donation from the Purina factory in Eden, North Carolina, to a port in Tacoma, Washington. An emergency grant from the Purina Foundation covered the more than $6,000 in shipping costs, ensuring the food could make the long journey from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest and continue on to Western Alaska.

Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. is now working with a network of transportation partners to deliver the donated dog food directly to pet owners in remote communities. These partners include TOTE Maritime, Carlile Transportation, Alaska Air Transit, Resolve Aviation, Aleutian Airways, NAC Alaska, Ryan Air, Warbelows Air Ventures and Everts Air —each playing a critical role in reaching communities that are often accessible only by air or sea.

"Recovery doesn't end when the storm passes, especially in rural and remote communities," said Kim Beardslee, Director of Community Affairs at Purina. "We're proud to work alongside trusted partners to help ensure pets and people have the resources they need as these communities continue to rebuild."

Supporting communities in times of crisis is a core part of Purina's commitment to keeping pets and people together. In the wake of a natural disaster, Purina works closely with Greater Good Charities to provide timely assistance—combining pet food donations, emergency funding, and operational expertise to help pet owners care for their animals during recovery. From immediate response to long‑term rebuilding, Purina focuses on meeting critical needs where access to resources may be limited, ensuring pets continue to receive the care they deserve as communities heal.

About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

SOURCE Purina