Madison Moen, leader of the Yakpack, is creating low‑budget dog igloos to keep stray and outdoor dogs warm across Yakima County. Local Yakima group providing dog igloos for strays during …

Moen and volunteers say the initiative is meant to provide immediate, affordable shelter where many animals are being left outside or abandoned, a persistent problem in the county. Animal welfare organizations often cite economic hardship and lack of affordable pet care, including vet bills and spay/neuter costs, as major drivers of pet abandonment, but a specific statement from the Yakima Humane Society matching this wording could not be confirmed. Often, the main factors contributing to the high rate of animal abandonment exacerbate these issues.

Moen described the effort as more than a stopgap. “If we’re going to continue to triage this problem, but never fix the front end of things, we’re going to be singing the same song in five years, and that’s not what I’m interested in,” she said, framing the igloo builds as a pragmatic response to a larger welfare challenge that demands not only immediate solutions but also systemic change.

Volunteers with the Yakpack construct the shelters from common materials to keep costs low and speed distribution, then place them in covered spots—under trees or beside structures—with the openings turned away from prevailing winds. Local residents can also contribute by organizing similar efforts to provide insulated shelters and ensuring dogs have access to unfrozen water and food during these colder months. How can local residents contribute to initiatives aimed at helping stray animals during these colder months? “The most important thing is that you get it in a covered spot, even if it’s just under some tree boughs, and get the opening away from the wind, so you do have to be a little bit strategic,” Moen said.

The project grew out of local concern about animal abandonment and cruelty in Yakima County; Moen has said rescuers outside the area frequently cite the county as among the worst in the state for those problems. “If you ask any rescuer outside of Yakima County, which county is the worst in the state, it will be overwhelmingly Yakima County,” she said. Animal welfare organizations in colder climates often report increased demand for shelter and veterinary care in winter, which can make local initiatives like this more important.

Organized under the volunteer group Yakpack, the effort focuses on rapid, decentralized distribution: many small shelters placed where stray and outdoor dogs already congregate rather than a few large installations. This method allows for quick response and broad coverage, which is essential as winter weather sets in. The group’s approach emphasizes accessibility and affordability so neighbors and other volunteers can replicate the builds and expand coverage across neighborhoods, creating a grassroots movement.

Design details are deliberately plain and functional. The totes used for the igloos omit flaps or doors to avoid trapping dogs or creating barriers that discourage use, a persistent concern in animal welfare. The low‑cost builds are intended to be winter‑ready while remaining light enough for volunteers to move and adjust as conditions change.

Moen said the igloos are intended to keep dogs warm and dry when temperatures drop and to provide immediate relief while longer‑term solutions are pursued. “I asked myself; how can I supplement these big igloos with something maybe a little bit smaller and more affordable?” she said, describing the thought process behind the project.

As the group continues to build and place shelters, Moen and other volunteers are encouraging simple placement strategies and community cooperation so the igloos reach dogs most at risk from winter weather. By coming together, community members can ensure that the shelters provide insulation from the harsh winter, ultimately saving the lives of dogs at risk of hypothermia and other cold-related conditions. The Yakpack describes itself as an animal welfare group working to combat abandonment and cruelty in the county.

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Original reporting: view the original article.