More than a hundred dogs at Krabloonik Dog Sledding are awaiting adoption after the operation’s final season, as Aspen Times reports. One of these dogs is Ben, an Alaskan Husky who is 14 or 15 years old. Krabloonik owner Dan Philips wants Ben and 30 other senior dogs like him to find a loving home soon.
Following a settlement with the town of Snowmass Village approved in July 2023, Krabloonik received an order to rehome all their dogs. As per the settlement, the 2023-24 season must be the final run of the dog sledding operation.
Phillips shared nine dogs have already found new homes since the final season began on Dec. 20. One dog was adopted by a Wyoming resident named Jackson Hole, and eight senior Huskies were relocated to a New Hampshire sled dog sanctuary.
Krabloonik dog sledding operation has 130 dogs
Despite operating with a team of 100 dogs, Krabloonik actually houses around 130 canines. Of these, most are senior dogs, according to Phillips. Despite considerable interest from potential adopters, not many have acted upon their word.
Phillips shared, “A lot of the touring businesses would like to have a shot at getting some of our dogs in the spring.” Continuing, he added, “We’ve had a lot of people coming in and hanging out with the dogs but not a lot of full-on commitments.”
As a result, Phillips is exploring alternative avenues to rehome the dogs. He is now reaching out to dog sledding kennels throughout the country.
Moreover, he contacts local animal shelters weekly. However, many of them are at full capacity and cannot accommodate the Krabloonik dogs. Collaborating with POSO Dog Rescue, Phillips has arranged for the organization to accept some canines and actively seek foster homes for others.
Krabloonik premises need to be vacated by June 1
The settlement stipulates Krabloonik’s operation, along with the dogs, must evacuate its Snomass premises by June 1. Phillips expressed his commitment to the dogs, stating, if needed, he would personally take in the remaining animals.
He said, “I have a commitment to the dogs … whatever ones are left will find a home with me.”
Snowmass Town Council began discussions in Nov. 2023 regarding potential uses for the Krabloonik land after the closure of the dog sledding operation. They talked about exploring the development of affordable housing or establishing “a restaurant and dog park.”
However, any talks about repurposing the land must involve the Snowmass Divide Homeowners Association. In particular, the HOA holds authority over the land use of the 2.44 acres currently occupied by Krabloonik. Shifting towards affordable housing would necessitate an alteration to the planned unit development (PUD) for the land, presently restricted to a dog sledding facility, running a restaurant, or a home for a single family.
Snowmass Town Manager Clint Kinney emphasized their first priority is getting the Huskies a new home. Following this, they would think about repurposing the Krabloonik land.
