Husky rescue centre overwhelmed
Michelle Attwood desperately needs a new facility for the abandoned huskies she rehomes.
Falcon, Harley, Shilo, Chang, Maui, Aoife, Tofu, Ranger, Robdog, Teeco, Kipper, Shilo, Indie and Benji are among 24 Christchurchbased dogs cared for by Husky Rescue NZ volunteers.
The charitable organisation takes in the high-energy, wolf-like dogs, checks their health, suitability for rehoming and arranges for them to be de-sexed and vaccinated. It has been overrun as the breed’s popularity soars thanks to TV shows like Game of Thrones – and buyers underestimate how much attention the breed needs.
Five huskies have been handed over in the past fortnight and five others are on the waiting list.
Backyard breeders, Facebook and Instagram sellers added to the already-saturated market, Attwood said.
‘‘Instead of having to sit on a waiting list for a year with a registered breeder, [people are] jumping online and can buy today. That’s what we’re fighting.’’
Attwood is searching for a bigger, purpose-built facility – ideally a kennel or a large flat piece of land – to house the dogs.
‘‘We need a different set up and we need it yesterday … All of our stuff is portable, we’re more than happy to set up everything right from the ground up, but we just need a place we can actually do it.’’
The small rescue centre started nearly a decade ago when Attwood got a husky off Trade Me and noticed the same huskies being listed and relisted with different owners.
This year, the organisation’s West Melton premises is bursting with animals ready to be adopted, growing from two dogs to nearly 50 Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes and various crossbreeds.
Attwood hoped by finding a secure facility, over time they could open the rescue centre up to the public and potential buyers, who currently must jump through several legal hoops to adopt.