Keeping Huskies is not a Game..

Rehoming centre’s warning

THE number of Huskies being surrendered by owners who cannot cope has increased by more than 400% in the UK with at least three breed-specific rescues in Ulster at full capacity.

Their popularity appears to have been influenced by HBO’S fantasy TV show Game of Thrones, filmed in Northern Ireland, and movies such as Eight Below, based on a true story of an Antarctic expedition.

Experts say as companions, these dogs are incredible but so too are the levels of care, exercise and careful containment needed to enable them to live well in society.

Game of Thrones had a global audience of 40 million viewers per episode creating fans of the Northern Inuit dog stars, who to the untrained eye had a wolf-like appearance.

RESCUES

While there are few Northern Inuits in rescues, their cousins, the Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Akitas and other Spitztype dogs are long-term guests of rehoming groups across the country.

In Northern Ireland within the last two years, almost every animal rescue has taken in northern-breed dogs.

The local Husky-dedicated rehabilitation and rehoming groups are now full to breaking point with dogs on lists waiting to be admitted.

At Hayley Doak’s Tyrone Husky Rescue she said their cute appearance as puppies and the draw of their blue eyes many of the dogs have, is enough for people to make a life-changing addition to their home.

She explained: “They’re a beautiful breed.

“But these dogs are a challenge as a household companion.

“Many people manage very well with them but many sadly don’t and that’s when rescuers end up picking up the pieces.

“Huskies are really not your regular domesticated dog. They have energy that seems never ending, bred to run all day in the harshest of conditions – and they actually need to run. It’s in their DNA.

“And if that’s not enough to contend with, their beautiful coats shed twice a year, and not just for a day or two.

“The amount they moult is mind blowing.”

Hayley has created a safe haven for rescue Huskies in Co Tyrone with all the security of a military operation.

She has spent more than £48,000 building a secure retreat, £22,000 of it on fencing alone.

She said: “I would rather people worked out that Huskies were not for them, than see a rehoming go wrong.”

Tyrone Husky Rescue is trying to protect their work after Mid Ulster District Council rejected a planning application for their new location.

Hayley added: “We want to stay here for the sake of the dogs in the safe space we have created with the concerns and needs of the community and the Huskies in mind. “Because sadly the need to rescue Huskies is not going to stop in the next few weeks.”