The Iditarod is Killing Dogs. End It.

Right now, dogs are being pushed across Alaska in the 2026 Iditarod—forced to run nearly 1,000 miles through blizzards, ice, and subzero temperatures while pulling heavy sleds for human entertainment.

This isn’t a harmless tradition. It’s a race built on suffering.

Every year, dogs collapse on the trail from exhaustion, illness, or injury. Some never make it back. More than 150 dogs have died in the Iditarod since the race began, with causes ranging from aspiration pneumonia to heart failure and being worked until their bodies break down. 

In recent races, dogs have collapsed and died mid-race. Others have been injured or killed during training runs before the event even begins.

The physical toll is staggering. Studies show dogs forced to compete in extreme endurance races suffer lung damage, stomach ulcers, muscle breakdown, and chronic stress. Some are pushed to keep running even when they’re sick or injured. 

And for many sled dogs, the suffering doesn’t end when the race does. Critics say dogs are often kept chained outdoors in harsh weather for most of their lives, treated as tools or equipment rather than companions.

This is the reality behind the spectacle.

Thankfully, public opinion is shifting. Over the years, major corporations—including Alaska Airlines, Coca-Cola, Chrysler, ExxonMobil, and Wells Fargo—have already cut ties with the Iditarod after learning about the cruelty behind the race. 

But some sponsors still lend their names—and their money—to this outdated event.

As the race unfolds right now, dogs are being pushed past their limits for the sake of a spectacle that belongs in the past.

Dogs are loyal, sensitive animals. They are not machines. They are not equipment. And they should not be run to exhaustion—or death—for sport.

We call on the remaining sponsors of the Iditarod to withdraw their support immediately and help bring this cruel race to an end.

The suffering is happening right now.

Please sign the petition and demand an end to support for the Iditarod dog race.​​

The petition to sponsors of the Iditarod dog race reads: As the 2026 Iditarod is underway, dogs are being forced to run nearly 1,000 miles through brutal weather and dangerous terrain—pushed to exhaustion for the sake of entertainment. With more than 150 dogs having died in the race’s history and many more suffering injuries and collapse, we call on your company or organization to withdraw your support immediately and help bring this cruel event to an end. Dogs deserve care and compassion—not to be run until their bodies break down for sport.
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Sources:

Sentient Media | The Iditarod Dog Sled Race Is Facing Growing Criticism | https://sentientmedia.org/iditarod/

The Dodo | The Iditarod Is Worse Than A Nightmare For Dogs | https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/iditarod-race-sled-dog-cruelty-allegations](https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/iditarod-race-sled-dog-cruelty-allegations

PETA | Iditarod Damned in New White Paper Detailing Health Dangers for Dogs in Sled Race | https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/iditarod-damned-in-new-white-paper-detailing-health-dangers-for-dogs-in-sled-race/

The Washington Post | The Iditarod Isn’t Worth the Suffering of Dogs | https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/03/14/iditarod-moose-dogs-animal-cruelty/

PETA | The Iditarod Is Killing Dogs | https://www.peta.org/action/the-iditarod-is-killing-dogs/

PETA | Companies Cut Ties With the Iditarod Dog Race | https://www.peta.org/features/companies-cut-ties-with-dog-race/