SINCE the TV series Game of Thrones gained popularity worldwide, dog rescue organisations have noticed an increase in the number of huskies being abandoned.
The huskies featured on the show, representing “dire wolves”, apparently gave rise to a love for the breed, but when pet owners realise they are not an easy breed to maintain, they end up at dog shelters.
Husky Rescue KwaZulu-Natal has been struggling to cope with the workload as more huskies are brought in. Charnell Ruth, a full-time nurse, set up the shelter in 2009.
“I’ve always been passionate about animals, but at some point, I saw a husky, and it was simply love at first sight. Only later in life was I privileged to become the ‘parent’ of husky siblings, Reuben and Cleo,” said Ruth.
Husky Rescue KZN’s Charnell Ruth with Alan Phiri, Thandeka Hlope and dogs at the shelter.
Thus Husky Rescue KZN was born.
The organisation cares for an average of 50 huskies at any given time. Since inception, 263 have come into the shelter, and the organisation has homed 195.
Ruth said while huskies were amazing pets, they were not a simple breed.
“They are strong dogs, in physique and personality. They are as loving as they are gregarious. While they are pack-orientated, they can also be as aloof as cats. Simply put, they are high-maintenance,” said Ruth.
She said huskies needed constant grooming, regular exercise, stimulation and had to be part of a pack, human and dog.
“They are not status symbols or pretty ornaments you can throw into your back yard and forget about. They will escape, dig up your yard and chew the mud flap off your Prado if you think you don’t need to consider any of these things,” she said with a laugh.
Husky Rescue KZN’s Charnell Ruth with Alan Phiri, Thandeka Hlope and dogs at the shelter.
She started Husky Rescue KZN under the banner of Husky Rescue SA, based in Gauteng.
“Then, in 2010, we registered our own non-profit and public benefit organisation.
“While I was at a related course seminar, I met a Husky Rescue SA representative who asked me if I would start a branch in KZN. I agreed, and here we are,” said Ruth.
Juggling a full-time job and running the organisation has not been easy, but Ruth has been able to stay afloat.
“During the week, I work as a nurse. The weekends are filled with home checks, collecting and taking in rescues, re-homing huskies and events. My parents hold the fort at home, taking care of the dogs and managing feeding schedules. I work seven days a week. I always tell people I have two full-time jobs, but I only get paid for one,” she said.
Ruth said one of the misconceptions about huskies was that they were stupid and could not be trained.
WATCH: Dire predicament for husky 'wolves'
“Huskies are one of the most intelligent dogs. They can reason through situations and do things other dogs could never do. Yes, they are hard to train, not because they are stupid, but because they are stubborn and highly independent. A police officer who spent his entire career in the canine unit once told me the best dog he ever worked with was a Siberian husky,” said Ruth.
She said the breed had always been popular for the look, and ranked as a status symbol.
“But Game of Thrones had a huge impact on their popularity, resulting in back yard breeders springing up all over.”
Ruth said the financial means to take care of them was her greatest challenge.
“Our current monthly income is below what we require to keep our heads above water. We cannot rely on fund-raising events alone to carry us because they are costly to set up and not enough to sustain us. Our average annual intake of huskies is 26. It might not sound like a lot, but bear in mind this is a breed-specific rescue in one province,” she said.
Husky Rescue KZN’s Charnell Ruth with Alan Phiri, Thandeka Hlope and dogs at the shelter.
Aside from taking care of their basic needs, the dogs are sterilised, vaccinated, de-wormed and micro-chipped on arrival.
Those interested in adopting can visit Husky Rescue KZN’s website to read up about the breed on their blog page and complete an online application form.
“A home check is done. If the application succeeds, an adoption fee is payable,” she said.
Husky Rescue KZN is on a rented farm in Cato Ridge and is appealing for public assistance. “Our time is up. We need to relocate. We have five weeks to find new premises and move 50 dogs. This is no small feat. We ideally want to set up a working farm to house our rescues,” said Ruth.