SAVE THE SLEDDERS!

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Animal lovers mobilized food shipments to help spare canine lives in Alaska after villagers in the Yukon River area said a salmon shortage might force them to kill some of their sled dogs to prevent them from starving.

The sled dogs are traditionally fed salmon, but the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers have had failed salmon runs since 1998. Governor Tony Knowles declared a disaster for the three straight years because of the failed run in the two rivers.

The Anchorage branch of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched an aid campaign after the villagers said they might have to kill some of their dogs. The response was swift and broad, said Ethel Christensen, a director of the organization.

Companies have offered the use of their trucks, citizens from Alaska and the lower 48 have pledged food and other help, and some "very sweet" sixth-grade students in Montana planned a bake sale to raise money for the dogs, she said.

"It revives your faith in humanity," Christensen said.