We are the Shields Family located in Alaska, and we have experienced an extremely upsetting hardship. Our home was lost in a fire. One of my fur babies is in urgent care with Pet Emergency Service, and our oldest dog was accidentally let free during all the commotion with the fire department and emergency services (TAKANI, our 6-year-old Cheeweenie).
Our 3-year-old Brindle American Pitbull Terrier was trapped in our home until the Anchorage Fire Department was able to get her out and rush her to the pet emergency veterinarian clinic. Makayla is currently being treated for smoke inhalation and injury caused by the home fire. The closest estimate for her emergency care was estimated at approx 5k-8k at her time of admittance. We can provide said estimates to anyone needing verification upon request. The fire took place in the late evening of Saturday, May 31st, 2025. We have lost not only our home and everything we owned, but were already having hard times when this occurred. Everything we owned was either destroyed by the fire, water, and foam during the blaze or damaged by the heavy smoke, with the exception of our vehicles, which are currently our only means of shelter.
My wife and I have been married for 20 years and raised 8 children over this time. Currently, we are a family of four, with my youngest still living at home, and are now homeless. Unfortunately, our only shelter at the moment is our vehicle. My daughter is still in high school and just turned 18. My youngest will be 14 on June 19th. We are desperately asking for any and all help or donations to restart our life!! Our main concern right now is making sure my baby Makayla makes it home safe and sound, along with Kani, so we can start over.
