10 wolfdogs, 3 huskies rescued by Alberta sanctuary during ongoing cruelty investigation

Ten wolfdogs and three husky sled dogsare settling in to their new home at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, west of Calgary.

The dogs were facing possible euthanasia, and were rescued from a situation that is the focus of an ongoing animal cruelty investigation.

Sanctuary operations manager Alyx Harris said as the dogs' previous living circumstances are still under investigation, they can't share too many details.

"They definitely weren't in great conditions which is why we were really wanting to step in and bring these animals to a place where they would be in much better conditions. Definitely less than ideal, not big enough spaces," she said.

Harris said the rescue is the largest they've ever done. With the new additions, the sanctuary will now be home to 37 wolfdogs.The sled dogs will be heading to a new home with Garcia Rescue.

Rescued wolfdog Meeka enjoys a hearty meal

4 years ago

Duration 0:32

Meeka is one of 10 wolfdogs and three huskies rescued from a situation that is the subject of an ongoing animal cruelty investigation. The wolfdogs are settling in to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, west of Calgary.

The team spent more than $1,800 totravel more than3,500 kilometres to transport the dogs to their new home.

That's not the end of the expenses. After more than $8,600 in veterinary bills, the sanctuary will still need to build three $50,000 enclosures to house the 10 new members of the wolfdog pack.

"The enclosures are around one to two acres in size, the goal is to give them as much space as possible," Harris said.

Fundraising coordinator Jessica Hynessaid with 10 new animals, it means more manpower and resources are needed.

"We definitely make it a priority to give them the best space we possibly can to call home," Hynes said.

The wolfdogs are all more wolf than dogand are quite timid, Harris said.

"One of the really big challenges with wolfdogs is they don't make very good pets without having any places for them to be placed, it really leaves them with nowhere else to go," Harris said.