PO Box 612 - Colmar, PA 18915
www.siberescue.com
(215) 412-0270

Colmar, PA, 9/20/2004 – A number of national and regional Siberian Husky rescue groups recently took advantage of the fact that Dog Fancy, a leading national publication written by experts and widely read by responsible dog owners, planned to devote a large portion of its December, 2004 issue to the Siberian Husky. By working together and collaborating, they were able to put together a full page, full color advertisement educating the American Public about the unique characteristics of this often challenging breed.

“Unfortunately, while Siberian Huskies are loyal, loving and intelligent dogs, they do have certain breed characteristics that could make them unsuitable for many families,” said Paige Bluhm, President of Tails Of The Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue (TOTTSHR), a regional Siberian Husky rescue group covering a large part of the midatlantic area. “Our rescue group realized that this upcoming issue of Dog Fancy presented us with a unique educational opportunity, but we also realized that we simply did not have the resources to do it all by ourselves. In order to take advantage of it, we would need the help and cooperation of other rescue groups. This would also give us the opportunity to take the message to a wider audience.”

Bluhm contacted a number of other regional and national Siberian Husky rescue groups, who agreed that this was a unique opportunity and that by collaborating, it would be possible to take advantage of it at a cost that would be affordable to all. After much discussion, the following rescue groups agreed to share with TOTTSHR the cost of placing an ad:

• SOS-SRF (Save Our Siberians – Siberspace Rescue Fund)
  www.sos-srf.org
  an international association with members in both the U.S. and Canada that provides financial assistance to Siberian Husky rescue groups that encounter unexpected medical expenses for dogs in foster care and available for adoption.
• Adopt-A-Husky, Inc.
  www.adoptahusky.com
  a regional Siberian Husky rescue group covering the Midwest including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio.
• Siberian Husky Rescue of Florida, Inc.
  www.siberrescue.com
  a regional Siberian Husky rescue group covering the entire state of Florida and parts of the Southeast.
• South Florida Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc.
  www.sibrescue.com
  a regional Siberian Husky rescue group specializing in the southern portion of Florida.
• Bay Area Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc.
  www.bayareasiberian.org
  a regional Siberian Husky rescue group covering the San Francisco Bay area of California.
• Siberian Husky Rescue Referral of California, Inc.
  www.shrrca.com
  a regional group that directs potential adopters to the appropriate rescue group covering their area of this very large and diverse state and parts of neighboring states.

Once all of these groups had agreed to participate in funding the placement of the ad, the next step was to create it. Bluhm, a graphic designer by profession, agreed to do this. Drawing upon her extensive experience with Siberian Huskies and their unique breed characteristics, she decided to focus the ad on some of their more undesirable characteristics. Her thought was that if people attracted by the magazine feature article adopt or purchase these dogs without being aware of the potential pitfalls, the dog might well end up being put up for adoption, which would place even more severe strains on already severely, overextended rescue groups.

For one thing, these dogs were bred to pull sleds and they love to run. They also love their freedom and, if given a chance, will try to escape. As a result, they can never be trusted off leash in a non-secure area, even for an instant. A door left open a fraction of a second too long, a table or chair near a fence, or a similar opportunity may prove irresistible to a Siberian Husky.

They also love to dig. In the severe environment of Siberia in which they were first domesticated, this was necessary for food and shelter, so it is now an instinctual behavior. People who value a lush, beautiful lawn either should definitely not consider owning a Siberian Husky or should set aside a special area for it where it can dig freely without damage to the landscaping.

The characteristic for which the Siberian Husky is probably best known is its tendency to become bored when left alone and attempt to amuse itself by destroying property. Although this can be avoided by the simple alternative of using a dog crate, many people do not realize this. In the Disney “Snow Dogs” movie, for example, one of Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s lines is, “They’re eating the house!”

They also shed---a lot, and constantly. The amount of fur they can generate is almost unbelievable. This breed characteristic is one major reason that people give for surrendering their dogs to shelters or rescue groups.

Also, in spite of their wolf-like appearance, Siberian Huskies are not guard dogs. They are very loyal to their humans, and will in many cases happily risk their own lives to protect them, but “valuables” are of absolutely no value to them, and they simply will not protect property.

Of course, they do have their good points or no one would want to own one. They are highly intelligent and very affectionate, yet sufficiently independent that they are not “clingy.” They are generally very good with young children, and some of their antics can be hilarious.

Like any breed of dog, they can be a perfect fit for one family and a total mismatch for another. Also, like all breed rescue groups, the Siberian Husky rescue groups that participated in this effort (all of which are 501(c)3 organizations), are severely strapped for funds and welcome tax-deductible contributions. If you would like to contribute to any of the groups that participated in this educational effort, you may do so by contacting them through their website. To learn more about Siberian Huskies and TOTTSHR, or to offer a contribution, go to the group’s website at www.siberescue.com.

Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc.
www.siberescue.com