Wolf Dogs

Wolf Dog Companion Animals

The North American Gray Wolf is classified as Canis Lupus. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties.

Improperly referenced as Wolf Hybrids, Wolf Dogs are more correctly referenced as a dog breed Canis Lupus Familiaris. , just as any other dog breed. Of course any breed of dog could be considered a hybrid if the wolf/dog is considered a hybrid.

While they may be considered a intra-specific hybrids or cross. We typically use the term "hybrid" to refer to Hybrids between different species within the same genus (such as between lions and tigers) sometimes known as interspecific hybrids or crosses.

Such a cross would be a Canis Lupus with a Canis Rufus. Or the Liger, a hybrid cross between a male Panthera leo (lion), and a female Panthera tigris (tiger) .

In such an order it would appear that same species "hybrids" would basically stabilize after the F1 progeny.

The desire of humans to bring wildlife into their homes has led to many different definable changes in the way that we view wildlife and companion animals.

Over the past two decades, people have bred dogs to captive wolves and sold the progeny as companion animals on a scale that is escalating every year.

The Wolf/Dog issue is one that is very difficult to deal with. The “wolf” on the front of that name instills fear in the hearts of many instantly. When in fact, these animals can actually be wonderful companions in the hands of the right owners, the problem is, who is the right owner? And as long as the owner understand that they are the companion not the Wolf/Dog.

People buy these very adorable animals when they are infants and extremely cuddly because of their pack instincts. They bond strongly and quickly. The pack instinct means that they are a 24/7 responsibility and most people simply are not willing to dedicate the amount of time to them that they would dedicate to a family member.

Unfortunately to the infant wolf/dog that is exactly the situation. The human family becomes their pack.

Once these cuddly little fur balls start to grow, they start vying for their position in the pack and often times will even challenge the humans. It takes a great understanding of pack behavior to be prepared for the changes in attitudes.

Most people at this point start to become frightened by the challenges and start to look for alternatives. This usually means another home.

Placing these animals in Animal Control shelters is an instant death penalty. They are not considered adoptable. This means that many beautiful,loving animals are put to death simply because of a lack of education and preparedness.

For almost fifteen years we have been adopting these animals and giving them a forever home. Many people would love to adopt, but the re-home rate ( Animals that have to be re-homed after being placed.) is so high that it is better for the animals if they simply stay where they are loved and cared for. They do not deal with separation anxiety well and this leads to them being extremely shy and aloof in many cases.

This is one of the reasons that we prefer to be a forever home for the animals that come to live with us.

Unfortunately in the funding areas, they are neither viewed as companion animals nor wild animals. The void leaves thousands of animals alone in the dark waiting for their death sentence to be carried out.

Due to no fault of their own, many will be sold, abandoned and killed because of the lack of education on the part of humans.

A great deal of our program deals with education. We believe that only in instances where it is the only hope to prevent the extinction of a species should wild animals be brought into captivity. In those cases, it should be done by professionals who know what they are doing and in a way that will help to restore the species, not create an entirely new breed. A practice that still leads to extinction of a species by it's own merits.

We appeal to all funders who love and care about animals to consider these beautiful animals that are currently lost on a vacuum of not belonging, to consider the majestic beauty of both appearance and spirit of the incredible creatures.

We urge you to consider adding our organization to your compassion list and help us to help these who are so often not helped by anyone.

Rescues like ours are always under funded, under staffed and over populated. The demand is so high that it is impossible to keep up with the need for rescue assistance for these animals.

We believe that through education we can change the mind set of most people who would buy these animals as pets and companion animals. If we can prevent people from buying, then perhaps we can at the same time reduce the number of breeders due to a lack of marketability.

The irresponsibility of many breeders is a great deal of the propblem as well.
In order to correct the imbalance that is created by those who choose not to work towards the balance of Nature, then we must increase awareness and education.

In the mean time, we still have the normal issues. We have to feed and care for the animals that live with us, we have to house them and spend time with them to make sure that they are constantly socialized and remain manageable.

We encourage you to consider us in your funding cycle, Currently we are hone to sixty two animals and  must feed and care for them. To do this we expend $8,880.00 in feed and another $600.00 annually for basic health maintenance. In cases where an animal may come to us sick or become sick and require Veterinary care or hospitalization, medical expenses can be even greater.

Imagine how many lives we can change together and the difference in attitudes that can be affected about both companion animals and wildlife by bringing educational awareness to these misunderstood and neglected animals.