Reportedly, nearly 20 different shelters across North America have taken part in rehabilitating and rehoming the 97 sled dogs rescued from Canada last month (see original article & case photos). On behalf of the sled dog welfare and advocacy community, I would like to extend thanks to all of the organizations that have helped these innocent souls to have a chance at a new life. This list will be updated as I acquire more contacts and pictures. If I’ve left you out, please feel free to contact me with photos and information of how these dogs are doing!
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Thank you to the SPCA of Western Quebec.
The SPCA of Western Quebec is providing shelter to three of the rescued female huskies from the Upper Laurentians in Quebec. If you would like to donate, CLICK HERE to learn how!
Shara has been spayed and is now in a foster home, receiving the love and attention she deserves.
Kiska and Nikea, both pregnant, are in foster homes as well, receiving the care they need in advance of having their pups.
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Thank you to the Westminster Pet Sanctuary of Ontario.
Amazing Grace is a two year old husky who came to our sanctuary from a horrific neglect case in Quebec. She needs a lot of help with her medical and emotional needs after surviving such trauma and neglect, but that is what we are here for! She has no fur on her back; sores on her legs; a leg injury and is very underweight.
What we can tell you: Amazing Grace has the most gentle, loving spirit and is truly one of the most grateful dogs – to know that she is loved; to have food (poor girl didn’t even know how to chew); fresh water; a comfy bed of her own; and the best of medical treatments!
If you are interested in donating online, CLICK HERE!
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Thank you to the York County SPCA of Pennsylvania.
The York County SPCA took in 6 of the 97 rescued sled dogs.
If you would like to donate online, CLICK HERE!
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Thank you to the Animal Care Sanctuary of Pennsylvania.
The Animal Care Sanctuary took in 5 of the 97 sled dogs.
If you are interested in donating, CLICK HERE to learn how!
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Thanks to the Washington Animal Rescue League of DC.
The Washington Animal Rescue League (the League) is providing refuge to 13 mixed huskies surrendered to Canadian authorities by a man who said he could no longer afford to care for the dogs. Altogether, the man had nearly 100 sled dogs, whom he used to pull sleds for tourists and kept on chains in the woods of Quebec when they weren’t working. Eleven other animal shelters in Canada and the U.S. also took in some of the dogs.
The 13 dogs at the League range in age from 1 to 8 years. One has heartworms (a parasite that inhabits dogs’ heart and is spread through mosquito bites) and many of the dogs are thin or emaciated. The largest challenge that the League faces in rehabilitating these dogs, however, may well be the job of acclimating them to life in civilization.
“These dogs are friendly, but they are not terribly well socialized,” according to Sabine Hentrich, the League’s certified dog trainer and behavior specialist. “As far as we know, except for their dog houses, many have never been inside before they arrived here. The floors, doorways, artificial lights—everything is new to them and a cause for anxiety.”
The dogs are currently being evaluated by the League’s veterinarians and behavior staff. Some may become available for adoption as early as the week of November 30. But given their past lives as outdoor sled dogs, the adoption staff cautions that these dogs are not for everyone.
“Those who are thinking of adopting one of these dogs would do well to spend some time researching huskies and sled dogs,” recommends Mary Jarvis, the League’s chief operating officer. “These dogs are very independent and their need for exercise and their ability to escape can be a challenge to anyone who lives with them.”
For more information on these dogs, please call 202-726-2556 or write to adoptions@warl.org. Also, CLICK HERE to donate online!
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Thank you to the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance of Nova Scotia.
Fallon is a sweet boy rescued from Quebec along with approximately 100 other abandoned Siberian Huskies and Husky mixes. Fallon and 31 other dogs were brought down into the United States to go into local rescues. He’s around 5 yrs of age. Fallon is the quietest dog I ever had, not a peep out of him since he came into rescue. He’s being fostered in Philadelphia along with his blind foster brother Connor.
He is a very sweet boy who never stops wagging his tail! He’s very quiet for a Siberian Husky, too!
Fallon gets along with other dogs very well. Fallon is being fostered in the Philadelphia area.
He’s totally blind in his left, and his right eye, he sees shadows.
If you want to donate to Fallon’s care, please send to :
BDRA
PO Box 63401
Philadelphia, PA 19114
or CLICK HERE to donate online!
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Thank you to the Ulster County SPCA of New York.
Saint and Agatha were named after Sainte Agathe, Quebec, the town where they were rescued. Agatha, one of 30 who were pregnant, and Saint arrived emaciated but are receiving food, water, care and vet treatment at the shelter.
“They’re doing great,” reported Shapiro. “They have a great disposition. They’re not fearful; they’re cautious. They enjoy contact, which isn’t surprising given their background. They show signs of submission, but they’re very friendly. They’re adjusting well.”
When not resting in her private nursery, complete with blanketed kiddy pool, Agatha and her buddy, Saint, are now enjoying simple doggy pleasures.
“They love rolling in the grass,” Shapiro said, “They love laying in the grass.”
After gaining some weight and getting neutered, Saint will be available for adoption by February, “just in time for Valentine’s Day,” Shapiro said.
Agatha and her pups will be available before spring, once the pups are old enough to be spayed or neutered.
For information on adoption, visit www.ucspca.org or call 331-5377. Donations are needed to help with the care of Saint and Agatha and can be sent to:
UCSPCA
20 Wiedy Road
Kingston 12401
or CLICK HERE to donate online!
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Thanks to Highland Animal Relief Team & Newf Friends in Ontario.
FROM HIGHLAND ANIMAL RELIEF TEAM:
Say Hello to Hera! This lovely girl is a recent addition to HART’s foster pack. Hera has come a long way from Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Que., to join us here in Bancroft.
Hera is one of the over 100 sled dogs recently rescued by SPCA Laurentides-Labelle. The SPCA found dogs chained outside without regular access to adequate food, clean water or shelter. There were numerous dead dogs discarded in heaps on site. This tragic story made headlines around the world.
Worse still, 30 of these dogs were pregnant. Hera is expecting her litter any day. Without help, these expectant moms would have given birth in mud pits. The puppies would have surely suffered and died. Thankfully, all the dogs are now safe in foster homes and shelters in Quebec, Ontario and the United States.
We at HART do everything we can to support the good work of other animal rescue groups. We offered to take in Hera to ease the burden of finding placement for so many homeless animals.
Hera arrived at her foster home feeling tired, and scared. Things have quickly changed. Her blue eyes sparkled when she met her two new canine siblings. She enjoys her warm bed, high-quality food, and gentle human companionship.
Her foster guardians are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hera’s puppies. Once the puppies are old enough, vet checked and all healthy, they will be placed for adoption. In a few months, Hera will be spayed and then will begin looking for her forever home.
Thank you for reading Hera’s story. Donations to HART to help with her care would be gladly accepted. If you are interested in donating online, CLICK HERE!
FROM NEWF FRIENDS:
Hera, the husky who was rescued along with Hudson from deplorable conditions in Quebec, is in the care of a HART foster home and expected to have her pups any day now. Details about Hera and her pups will be courtesy posted on this site and we will be facilitating her adoption.
We have a long winter ahead of us, and our funds are being depleted rapidly due to extensive veterinary care for dogs that have come through our rescue.
If you are interested in making an online donation, CLICK HERE! (click “Donate Now” and then select “Newf Friends Fund” from the pull-down menu). Also, check out our calendar, which can be purchased through our main site (follow source link below).
sources: Highland Animal Relief Team and Newf Friends
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Thank you to Siber Rescue Ontario.
We have committed so far to rescue 10 dogs including some pregnant females. The outpour of support has been wonderful and we have several new foster homes to thank for helping to make this happen. We are still in dire need of food donations and blankets as well as any donations towards our inevitable vet costs. Any question regarding the husky situation can be directed to Lisa at 905-713-1531 or email: siberrescueon@gmail.com.
If you are interested in donating, CLICK HERE to learn how!
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Thanks to the Bytown Associaton for Rescued Kanines in Ontario.
BARK has helped a group in Ste Agathe who rescued over 100 dogs hidden in the woods outside Ste Agathe PQ.
The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) were called in to help rescue these poor dogs who were used for sledding and breeding. There were dead dogs all over this property with nearly 100 dogs chained to doghouses including 30 pregnant dogs. The conditions were terrible with the dogs living in and around their dead friends.
The HSUS set up a temporary shelter nearby to house the dogs while they are being examined, vaccinated, heartworm checked, deflead and dewormed. Several rescues including BARK were called to help with the surrendered dogs.
BARK has so far taken 6 dogs including three pregnant ones.
Our single biggest need is money.
If you would like to donate to their upkeep that would be much appreciated. We expect many of these dogs will need ongoing veterinary care before they are ready for permanent homes.
We also need toys, treats, good quality food, rawhides etc.
All of the dogs have great temperaments. They will not be ready for adoption until after Christmas.
If you would like to help or wish to make a donation please call 613-738-0119 or 819-776-5090.
If you are interested in donating online, CLICK HERE!
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Thank you to the SPCA Monteregie in Quebec.
The SPCA Monteregie took in numerous dogs from the 97 rescued in Canada.
If you would like to donate online, CLICK HERE!
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Thank you to Secours Reach For The Stars Rescue in Quebec.
These two beautiful girls are from the recently publicized surrender of near 100 dogs close to Brébeouf, QC. Both came to us in heavily pregnant states. Jadzia now has 8 healthy pups of one week old. She is gentle, sweet and pretty relaxed for a husky. She loves to get attentiona and be lavished with love. Jadzia needs a safe and patient foster home where she can be with her pups until they are ready for adoption at nine weeks old and on through her vetting, vaccinations and spay surgery. This whole prcess can take 4+ months and we are looking for someone who can commit to be there for her through the entire duration. Coralie, has 9 pups who are all doing very well, but until mom feels a bit better and more confident she will be staying where she gave birth. Once that is achieved she too will be in need of a foster home where she can depend on a patient and kind family who can help her through her journey, also to last 4+ month and includes 9 puppies that will be starting to run and play and will need a safe place where they cannot get into too much mischief! For more information please contact us at info@reachforthestarsrescue.com (don’t forget to include “surrendered huskies” in the subject line).
If you wish to donate online, CLICK HERE!
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Many thanks to the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle.
Without the action of these compassionate men and women, these dogs might still be on their chains, wasting away.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS ORGANIZATION!
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Many thanks to the United Animal Nations.
We have officially demobilized, leaving our new friends in the capable hands of the Labell-Laurentides SPCA. It was difficult leaving the last few guys there, but I know they will be off to much better lives this weekend.
I keep wondering if this is healthy for me, going from emotion to emotion so quickly on each deployment. First, experiencing the excitement, anxiety, worry and anticipation of a deployment. What condition will the dogs be in? Will we be able to help them all? What are we going to find when we get there?
Then, the whirl of activity as the seizure or rescue takes place and the dogs begin arriving at the shelter when you don’t have time to think. Triaging them, finding those who need immediate care, those who need some care and those who just need a lot of TLC is phase two of the emotional roller coaster. Then the falling in love bit. Getting to know so many of them, their quirks, their personalities. Names emerge, and we begin to accidentally get favorites. Next comes the bittersweet part of sending them off to the next chapter in their lives and saying goodbye. We know things will only get better and better for them, but they blossomed so extraordinarily in our care, it’s hard to not get attached.
Like I always say, if we weren’t getting attached to them, something is wrong with us. Now I’m going through my “post deployment blues.” I’m so grateful for the opportunity to meet with and work with so many wonderful people, even more so for having helped so many dogs along one major step in improving their worlds, but sad to be saying goodbye.
One thought keeps lingering with me. I’ve heard a few comments that since they’re huskies, they don’t mind being out in the cold. Anyone who still thinks that has never given a husky a blanket. We always marvel at how much the little Chihuahuas and Maltese enjoy their blankies for the first time. Try a husky. At first it’s intense interest and curiosity. Touch it with the paw, sniff it, move it with the nose, sniff it, taste it (not so good), sniff it again. Then it usually takes about two minutes for them to get it bunched up and situated to their liking and plop, down they go, not moving again until the next meal time. I have never seen so many simultaneously, sleeping dogs before.
This was obviously yet another different type of deployment for the Emergency Animal Rescue Service. The volunteers proved their extraordinary compassion by doing the big things (walking dogs who were stronger than most of us combined and cleaning lots of poop) and the little things (covering the scared ones with blankets and giving them names). I am so proud to be part of this team, KNOWING we are making such a huge difference for so many animals who couldn’t have done it on their own.
Please consider donating to the wonderful folks at UAN by clicking HERE!
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Thanks you for a job well done.
Just wanted to thank Ashley for the wonderful update. I was a volunteer from UAN when the rescue occured. Your site is awesome and I've been forwarding to folks. Thanks again.
Laurie M in New Hampshire
Laurie – I added a quote and donation link for UAN
I have took on three rescue dogs that were deserted by their previous owners. They are the loveliest creatures I have ever known. It is painful how some individuals treat animals like property or worse. My hope is that more people will get enlightened about this matter.