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| The many faces of wolfdogs. Photos courtesy of Full Moon Farm. |
April is Prevention of Cruelty Month sponsored by ASPCA. In honor of their effort to stop animal abuse I am dedicating this post to our neighbors at Full Moon Farm who rescue wolfdogs.
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| A small cemetery for the wolfdogs sits at the entrance to the farm. |
This is a repost from two years ago but this wonderful place is having a tough time financially and could use some support. They rescue wolfdogs - dogs bred with wolves that have been given up or taken from their owners. Please do read and share!
Last weekend I attended my first Howl-In at Full Moon Wolfdog Sanctuary (they have Howl-ins several times during the warmer months). Tours of the farm are given during the afternoon and then everyone gathers for a potluck supper under the shelter.
Volunteers, supporters and people interested in wolfdogs bring picnic foods and visit with each other surrounded by the wolfdog habitats. Later after dark the fire pit is glowing and music and tales are shared.
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| Banjo and Yeddy pacing in anticipation of visitors. |
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| Banjo enthusiastically greeting Nancy who has taken care of him since he was a tiny puppy. |
When I arrived, things were still getting set up. I wandered into the gift shop perusing the t-shirts, photos, cards and other items sold to support the farm. Nancy arrived and the tour began - she took us from wolfdog to wolfdog habitat explaining about wolfdogs in general and about each one in particular.
What is a Wolfdog - it's a dog with recent wolf heritage - a pure wolf ancestor within the last five generations. All dogs are actually viewed by taxonomists as a domestic variant of the gray wolf - even your tiny Chihuahua.
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| Zodiac, a German Shepherd wolf mix, sleeping through it all. His pen mate was a coyote dog mix and she let me pet her. Very soft fur and kind eyes. |
Most wolfdogs are mixed with German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky but here they have some strange variations - wolves mixed with Border Collie and Great Pyrenees - not breeds that would work well with wolves since they are bred to protect livestock from wolves! People do strange things.
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| The one in front is a Border Collie wolf mix. Both were very vocal and friendly |
People actually breed wolfdogs to sell as an exotic breed. The ethical ones keep accurate records, take care in breeding good lines and evaluate and educate potential buyers. Most breeders ar not like this and wolfdogs end up abandoned, abused or worse.
Wolfdogs are not wild animals - they are domestic animals with special needs. They were created by humans and depend on humans for food, care and companionship. They are not aggressive - most wolves are timid around humans and so is your typical wolfdog. They will be hiding when an intruder breaks in. Wolfdogs have a very high prey drive and should not be around small animals and children unless they have been raised with them.
I was able to pet this guy - he was very gentle and sweet. One of the wolfdogs began howling and they all took to letting it rip - what a sound - very eerie and wild to hear this many wolfdogs howling. Not all dogs can howl so some sounded like they were yodeling rather than howling. Pretty impressive!
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| This wolfdog had lost her mate recently and was alone in her pen. |
Full Moon Farm is non profit rescue and sanctuary for wolfdogs (wolf hybrid). They rely solely on donations for survival - money, time or supplies. They rescue wolfdogs in peril, educate the public about wolfdogs and provide a safe healthy and loving environment in which to live out their lives if they are not adoptable.
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| Aries - photo courtesy of Full Moon Farm. |
The farm has 76 wolfdogs at the moment - some are kept away from the public due to severe abuse before they were rescued and their fear of humans. No wolfdogs are bred at the farm - there are too many already in the world and not enough good homes for all.
If you would like more information about wolfdogs, wish to donate or volunteer or even adopt - please contact Nancy at
Full Moon Farm in Black Mountain, NC. They also have a
Facebook page hosted by River the official Amasssadog to Full Moon Farm and an overall
Facebook page - follow their activites and Like them!
