County of Orange issued the following announcement on Jan. 27.
Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has found appropriate sanctuary placement for two of the wolfdogs housed at the shelter.
Two wolfdogs (Taalai and Taa, 11-month-old littermates) left for their new home in Colorado on Sunday, Jan. 30. OCAS worked directly with WolfWood Refuge for several months, which culminated in this successful transfer.
We are grateful to WolfWood Refuge for providing safe and appropriate placement for these wolfdogs. WolfWood is a licensed, non-profit refuge for wolves and wolfdogs.
OCAS continues to work on placement for the remaining six wolfdogs and is networking with licensed sanctuaries.
Since these animals arrived at the shelter in July and August 2021, OCAS has worked diligently to find proper placement for them. The Orange County Animal Services Director, Dr. Sandra Strong, reached out to experts regarding the phenotype and behavior of the wolfdogs. On Aug. 10, 2021, a veterinarian board certified in zoo medicine assessed these animals and confirmed that their phenotype and behavior is consistent with wolfdog cross breeding. This expert has extensive experience working with wolves, and agreed with the placement plan for these wolfdogs. OCAS will not adopt the wolfdogs out to individuals because it would be a public danger to place these types of animals with anyone other than an experienced or licensed professional/sanctuary.
OCAS has spoken with numerous organizations and experts from all over the United States. Multiple sanctuaries have contacted OCAS to check on the wolfdogs, but most have not been able to assist with placement due to being full. OCAS has also reached out to many appropriate rescues, but none of those organizations have been able to take on large-breed animals that need extensive socialization.
On Dec. 8, 2021, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist evaluated the wolfdogs and confirmed that long-term shelter confinement is stressful and not a humane solution. OCAS is still seeking appropriate placement for all of the wolfdogs, but humane euthanasia will likely be considered the best option for them if no placement can be obtained.
“Sadly, these dogs were never properly socialized as pets,” said Dr. Strong. “They are not able to be safely walked on a leash, and they cannot easily be handled for care or effective social interaction. We are trying to keep them as comfortable as possible during their stay with us, and we are providing them with enrichment that they will accept. The unfortunate reality is that the remaining wolfdogs cannot continue to stay in the shelter. Shelter housing, especially for larger unsocialized animals like these wolfdogs, does not provide an acceptable long-term quality of life and is not in line with good animal welfare practices.”
Wolfdogs are not legal to own in Orange County and many other jurisdictions. There is no approved rabies vaccination for these animals, which reiterates the need for placement with experienced professionals.
More information about Orange County Animal Services can be found at www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices or by calling 919-942-7387.
Original source can be found here.
Source: County of Orange
