The Krabloonik dog sledding company, located in Snowmass Village, will be forced to close its doors by the end of the month after decades of criticism surrounding the treatment of their many dogs, according to the Aspen Times.
The company, formed in 1976 by Dan MacEachen, was sold to Gina and Danny Phillips in 2014, and an outside committee designed to review the business’s practices was formed in 2015. In June of 2022, the committee presented details to the Snowmass Village town council showing that the company was not following the best practices, prompting the town council to notify Krabloonik that they were in default of their lease. Specifically, a lack in both record keeping and time off-tether sparked the concern of town council members.
“The members of the Town of Snowmass Village Town Council have established that this business has not met the standards of care for the dogs outlined in the lease between Krabloonik and the Town. The big question is: What will happen to the dogs now? Will dogs be sold or given to other businesses? Will any be euthanized? Members of this community and beyond have expressed that they are prepared to step up at a moment’s notice to help. All of these dogs deserve to released from chains immediately and be adopted in to homes, where they will get the care and respect they have always deserved.” – Leigh Vogel, one of the founders for Voice for Krabloonik, according to the Aspen Times
Currently, the status of the property in the future is unknown. The Phillips’ have been given the opportunity to purchase the property for $2.3 million when the current lease (the family has reportedly been paying $10 a year in rent as a part of the agreement) expires in 2026.
Image Credit: Krabloonik via Instagram
