Introduction: What is Wolf and WD Rescue

Most animals--dogs, cats, horses, iguanas, etc.--have rescue groups comprised of concerned individuals who, out of care and concern for the animals, volunteer to house, place, and relay unwanted or abandoned animals who, for some reason, can no longer remain in their current homes.

As anyone in rescue can attest, it is the throw-away mentality of some individuals that makes our jobs so demanding. Unfortunately, some people purchase pets and realize after a few months that it takes time, training, and dedication to raise an animal that can co-exist peacefully with humans--whether it be a dog, a cat, a pig, a horse, etc. Upon coming to the realization that the animal is just not going to work out in their homes and lives, these people dump these animals in shelters or on friends and family--hence, the need for rescue groups.

To be fair, however, there are also times when owners are forced to give up their animals for reasons they have no control over--restrictions because of laws, or home association regulations, or divorce, or death, etc.  Regardless, when owners, for some catastrophic reason, are no longer able to keep their pets, they are then forced to send these pets into rescue. There are so many animals housed in the Humane Societies and other similar shelters that euthanasia is an all too common event in an effort to control the population of these unwanted or abandoned animals.  (Over 6,000,000 canines are euthanized each year by the Humane Society.)

Thus far, I have tried keeping the focus on "animals" and not on wolfdogs. But now it is time to address the issue of wolfdogs in particular. Because these animals are more recent in their wolf heritage, most Humane Societies and Animal Control shelters refuse to accept them into their shelters or, worst case scenario, have an unofficial instant "kill" policy.

Unfortunately, many in these shelters are unable to differentiate between wolfdogs and some dog mixes, primarily the Northern breeds and Shepherd mixes. There have even been instances when AKC registered dogs have been picked up and euthanized merely for "looking" wolfy.

Wolfdogs for Adoption

Percentages and descriptions are usually reported by owners and are sometimes difficult to verify; however, rescuers do try to "guestimate" what content the animal appears to be (in looks and temperament) when the animal is an unknown. Such guestimations are guesses based upon experience and should not be taken as absolutes. Wolfdogs that are registered with a legitimate wolfdog registry are much easier to verify.

For information on animals that are currently up for adoption, please contact me (not all rescues are always uploaded to this site) and put "RESCUE" in the subject line.  All potential adoptees are screened thoroughly prior to adopting any animals.

***I NO LONGER DO WOLFDOG RESCUE***
Contact Thom Whaley for any rescues in Florida,
or go to the links section below for other parts of the U.S.

Links to Wolf and Wolfdog Rescue Sites

A Wolf and Wolfdog Rescue Map is also available. The states are outlined, and you may access the rescue people near your home to see what kind of animals they currently have in rescue.

Wolf and WD Legislation by State

Wolf and wolfdog ownership legislation in each state and in each county can vary. For example, they are legal in Florida as long as they are below 75% wolf content.  However, Orange County, Florida, has recently passed legislation banning all wolfdogs in that county.  Georgia, neighbor to Florida, has imposed a state wide ban on wolfdogs, while Oregon has legally recognized that these animals are dogs and have thus passed legislation similar to the Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations, claiming that all wolfdogs are to be considered domestic animals.

Rather than duplicate existing pages on the web, you can go to one of the sites listed below to get current information on state regulations and on pending legislation.  These sites provide statewide and federal laws; they do not provide individual county regulations.  Prior to adopting or purchasing a wolfdog, it is your responsibility to determine what the legislation is in your particular county or municipality.

Wolfdog Rescue Questionnaires & Contracts:

The following contracts are in .pdf file and may be downloaded, printed and used with my permission. If you do not have the Reader plug-in, you may download it for free from the Adobe website, http://www.adobe.com/reader/.
 

Adoption Contract: Medical Treatment & Care Stipulations
Rescue Questionnaire: Informational Form on Incoming Rescue
Wolfdog Adoption Form (Not to be used alone, but in conjunction with interview)
Waiver & Release of Liability: Legal Document Stipulating that the Adopter is Responsible for the Animal upon Possession of said Animal

Standard Questions A Rescuer Will Ask

There are numerous questions to ask of people wanting to send their animals into rescue. Though I have provided many of them below--in random order--I have probably still neglected a couple of them.

1. Why is this wolfdog (wd) going into rescue?
2. Who is the breeder? Have you contacted the breeder to ask if he/she will take the animal back? If so, what was the response?
3. How old is the animal?
4. What wolf content is the animal? What kind of dog (i.e., Husky, Malamute, German Shepherd, etc.) is the animal?
5. What generation removed from pure (F#) is the animal?
6. Was the animal pulled from its mother and bottle fed?
7. How old was the animal when you got it?
8. Is the wd registered? With whom/which registry?
9. Is the wd socialized to people? To children? Or is it very timid?
10. Is the wd dog aggressive or friendly to other dogs? If so, is it aggressive to same sex canines only? Or is it aggressive to both sexes?
11. Is the wd aggressive to or accepting of cats?
12. Is the wd spayed, neutered, or intact?
13. Is the animal current on all vaccinations, including rabies? If not, please explain.
14. Is the animal on heart worm preventive medication? If so, what kind?
15. Are there any medical problems or conditions that we should be made aware of (e.g., hip dysplasia, eye problems, skin problems, etc.)?
16. When did the animal come into its first heat if a female? Or when did the testicles descend if a male?
17. List any problems you have had with the animal.
18. Does the animal dig?
19. Does the animal jump? If so, what is it jumping? How high does it jump?
20. Does the animal climb? If so, what is it climbing? How high does it climb?

The primary concerns are that the animal, owner and foster owner are covered. It is unfair for an animal to linger in limbo at a strange home for an undetermined amount of time--just as it is unfair for a foster owner to be "stuck" with an animal for an undetermined amount of time.  These are some of the points you should include in a foster contract:

• Both the owner and the foster owner must set a deadline for the animal to be removed back into the custody of its real owner. If that deadline is broken by the real owner and the foster owner is "stuck" with an unclaimed animal, then the foster owner assumes ownership of that animal. The animal then becomes a rescue and permanent placement is sought. This is to protect by the animal and the rescuer/foster owner.
• The real owner should be willing to pay the foster owner for food and medical expenses while the animal is being boarded.
• If the foster owner is limited in the amount of space available to house another canine, the real owners will frequently offer to purchase a kennel or to pay for the materials to build a kennel to contain their animals while they are being fostered.

The owner guarantees that the animal is not contagious, infected, flea-ridden, tick-infested, etc.  Foster owners are opening their homes and putting their own animals at risk when accepting an animal to foster; they want a guarantee that a new animal will not spread something to their own animals or to other animals being fostered there.

Poem: Dog on Euthanasia Table

A DOG ON A EUTHANASIA TABLE
Anonymous

I'm trembling and so worried, for I know I misbehaved.
I chewed Dad's brand new slippers and saw just how he raged.
I did not mean to wreck them, but my teeth were very sore,
and chewing them relieved the pain and made me feel less bored

And when mom came to smack me, I piddled on the floor,
For I had held my pee all day and could not get out the door.
They said that I was "wicked", a menace at first glance,
and when they tied me up outside, I howled for one more chance

Rolled over and sat pretty, and did all those tricks they loved
But they could not forget the wrong and said they had enough
So they took me to a clinic where the smell alone put fear
Into my trembling body, but my cries they did not hear.

For they turned and walked out through the door, without a hug or pat.
I wonder if they will forget, and forgive me, when they come back?
But why do I feel so frightened, as though they've gone for good.
They said they'd love me till I died, they really said they would.

I'm strapped onto a table and they're shaving my front leg
I think I'm getting a needle now, I feel it in my vein...
And why do I feel so lonely? without them comforting me?
And why do I feel so sleepy?
Oh please God, let them forgive me.