Move Wolf and German Sheperd from Fenced Yard to Pen...or Rehome?
By cbantly
@cbantly (236)
United States
June 8, 2009 1:58pm CST
I have two dogs (well better say animals!)...a german shepherd and a wolf. The wolf is not a hybrid, it is a wolf pup raised from a week old when it was orphaned. The wolf has been brought up with the german shepherd and is VERY domesticated. The wolf is about 6 months old and the dog is about 1 year old.
The problem is I was forced to move, and will no longer have a backyard (fenced anyway). I do have a 10 x 10 pen, but really am hesitant to put both animals in it. Not that they would want to be apart, but it's just not enough room.
I can't chain the animals out in the new backyard (liability issues), but there is a large yard for them to exercise in while supervised. I work 24 hour shifts (EMS / FIRE), should I rehome them to a good family? Am I being selfish in wanting to keep them?
3 responses
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
8 Jun 09
Where I live in Colorado there is a place that will take domesticated wolfs and wolf hybrids. They have a huge area in the mountains where they are able to run and be free but yet come home when they need affection and food. They started the program a few years ago when they realized that there was a need for permanent housing for wolfs and wolf hybrids that there owners are no longer able to care for them. I dont know about rehoming them both as the wolf even if its been domesticated is still a wild animal. I would look into maybe a santcuary for the wolf and possibly keeping the sheppard at your house. I understand not wanting to get rid of either of them but when you consider that the wolf is really just a pup and has not fully grown into the wild animal it is. I would be scared to think of what it would be capable of doing once it gets older. Wild animals no matter what are just that. The instincts that are in them are there no matter what and no amount of domesticating can change that. I mean once a wolf always a wolf and wolfs are hunters that kill in the drop of a hat. If you care about the well being of this animal at all I would not rehome it for fear of what may happen once its grown. Find a santuary that is willing to take your wolf and provide him with the chance to live his life as close to in the wild as can be done. Here is a link to the website for the wolf sanctuary in colorado. I trully hope that you do whats right for this animal and put your feelings aside. http://www.wolfsanctuary.net/
@Autumnrose2008 (1478)
• United States
8 Jun 09
No no no no no Zoo. I cant imagine the poor thing being locked up in a cage. That is no life for such a beautiful animal. As you can tell I am not a Zoo person lol. The Sanctuary that is in Colorado is a wonderful place. I have been to see the wolfs there. Talk about a wonderful enviroment. Its the closest thing to the wild that Domesticated wolfs will ever get. I truly feel that they would be able to provide every thing that your wolf pup requires even social interaction with other wolfs. Allowing the wolf pup to become part of an actual wolf pack. They are non profit and are just wonderful. They really care about the wolfs not the money they will bring in like a zoo does. Well it is just my opinion but I would vote for a sanctuary for your wolf pup not to mention if for some reason you are to move to another location better equiped for your wolf I am sure that they would be more than willing to allow you to get him back. Not to mention the opurtunity for many people to see him or her grow up. And then I would be able to see him or her too. LOL.
@cbantly (236)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I should have been a little more specific. The wolf would absolutely not be rehomed to a private family. I have a permit that enables me to raise him, but the plan has always been that he would be placed somewhere eventually. In fact, I have even been in touch with the Wolf Sanctuary and they seem like a great place!
The other option is a zoo named Hollywild in SC, and they're pretty eager to get him. The problem is they really are not staffed enough to care for him until he is older.
@italysmom (308)
• United States
8 Jun 09
you are not being selfish, I believe a dog or what ever animal someone has becomes part of the family... so.. for me it would be like giving away one of my children. Then, as domesticated the wolf is right now.. there will always be a chance that the wild instincts will come out, and if you do choose to rehome it, you would have to make sure to put it in a family that understands and will beable to deal with that if it does happen.. (not saying it will.... but.. a good chance it will) but then there is also an option to hire someone while you are on your 24 hour shifts to come and care for them.. so they have more of the exercise time while you are not home.
@italysmom (308)
• United States
8 Jun 09
I understand that, I would say that while you were interviewing the people to take care of your dogs I would watch them with both of your dogs very closely and get references. It might cost a bit more to have a good quality walker... but.. well worth it. It seems you love them both very much and it would be a shame to see you have to be seperated from either of them... I sure do wish you luck with your search!
@thomas1987 (19)
• United States
9 Jun 09
Just read it and know more about your pets.
http://wangtf.edublogs.org/
