Siberian Husky Rescues: A Heartfelt Mission to Help the Homeless

Thinking of getting a beautiful Siberian Husky? Did you know you can help save a Husky’s life by learning all you can about the breed, and then adopting or fostering one from a rescue? 


Buddy, the Christmas Husky. Once an abandoned, abused, and starving dog living on the streets, became a happy forever foster thanks to caring individuals who saved him. To read more about this amazing Husky story, read my article in Kings River Life. (PLEASE NOTE: contest is over. If you are interested in a Buddy BOOK, contact us here at FiveSibes as there is a very limited quantity left).
Photo by Lisa Byrd.


This Article Stars Beautiful Adoptable Huskies! (Huskies may already have found their forever homes, but contact that rescue to see more beautiful Huskies looking for a loving home).

 

Meet beautiful Luna! Luna is dog friendly, kid friendly, and just became crate trained. She’s a young dog who still has a lot to learn. Luna is playful and very sweet. If you can foster Luna or would like more information on adopting her, please email MUSH Rescue of Atlanta at adopt@mushrescue.com.

 

Rescue Takes a Village 

Shari Baillargeon, also known as “Mama Shay” in the Husky rescue world, has been voluntarily helping homeless Huskies since 2003. “I never actually decided to help Siberian Huskies, they decided I needed to!” she happily says. With her Georgian door always open to help Huskies in need, Shari volunteers with MUSH Rescue of Atlanta, and is currently fostering 19 dogs (as of 1/2022). “I am so blessed to have a huge following on our Buddy, the Christmas Husky Facebook page from all over the world. We have friends from just about every country that make up a huge support system. I could never have taken care of Buddy (an abused, sick, and abandoned Husky found and saved on Christmas Day by a good Samaritan before Shari came to forever foster him), or so many others without our Buddy Family supporting us both through messages of encouragement, much needed items, dog food, and, of course, monetary donations.” 

Meet gorgeous "Big Rocky!" Big Rocky is looking for his loving forever home. He is very playful and full of energy. Please no homes with small animals or cats. Interested in adopting Big Rocky? Please visit www.huskyhouse.org today to fill out an application. 
 

Finding the Right Home for a Husky 

According to Danielle Lahmeyer, creative director and Lorraine Healy, president and founder of Husky House Siberian Husky &Fellow K9 Rescue in New Jersey, they look “for a home that is going to be able to dedicate time, energy, and love; and people who understand the Huskies’ traits. The household should be able to provide them with a high level of activity they require. A secure home should also be provided to help keep them safe. This can include escape-proof fencing, exterior doors, and gates. For Huskies under one year old, families with prior purebred Siberian Husky experience is required.” 


Meet beautiful "Reina!" She is sweet girl who deserves to be treated as the queen Free Spirit Siberian Husky Rescue knows she is. "With a face that everyone loves here at the rescue she is quickly becoming a favorite.  She is loving time with our volunteers and learning what true love is supposed to be. Now she just wants for her furever family to love and adore her for all her days to come." To adopt Reina, fill out an application at: http://www.huskyrescue.org/adoption-process/application/step-1.


Advice to New Husky Parents  

“The best piece of advice we can give to any Husky owner, new or seasoned, is to be consistent with training and allow them to have plenty of exercises!” offers Sarah Garcia, a volunteer with Free Spirit Siberian Husky Rescue in Harvard, IL, which has their own sled dog team of rescue Huskies, and is celebrating their 20th year with more than 3,000 Huskies saved! “Siberians will become mischievous when they are bored, so they need constant brain stimulation. Training is a great part of that... They need daily exercise with walks and/or runs. As many of us a say, 'a tired husky is a happy Husky.'” 

Snow Dogs in Warm Climates? Absolutely! 

 “Huskies can certainly deal with the Florida weather!” states Janet C., the social media coordinator for Siberian Husky Rescue of Florida, Inc. (SHRF), who has been working in rescue since 2005. In warm climates, keep your Husky indoors in the air condition, advises Janet, who says, “If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your Husky.” Janet mentions that Huskies born in Florida can adjust easily into a new home, and relocated ones from colder climates can also adapt well; but she emphasizes, “You cannot leave them outside.” Early mornings and when the sun goes down are the best times to go out. But, says Janet, “They adjust!” 

Huskies Are Family Members 

Advises Janet, “Read the educational section on our website. Get some books. Educate yourself on the breed. Sometimes the reasons people dump their Huskies is typical Siberian Husky behavior they should have known before making the Husky a part of their family. You have to be willing to look at your dog as a family member, and to commit to it and to training, and also if they have medical issues. Whatever you do for your child you should do for your dog. If you cannot treat your dog properly, do not have one in the first place. They deserve the love and respect you give your kids.” 


Meet stunning "Morgan!"Morgan is a large and lovely lady looking for a home to call her own. According to Taysia Blue Rescue, she may have a few pandemic pounds to shed, but hey, who doesn't? Morgan is a pretty easy-going and friendly gal; she sort of goes with the flow. Look into her remarkable eyes and start your own adventure together. Apply to adopt Morgan today! https://www.taysiablue.com/morgan21


Adopt, Don’t Shop! 

Steph Konz, executive director of Taysia Blue Rescue in Nebraska states, “Adopting a dog is great, just due your homework and make sure it's the right dog. And, please, don't buy dogs! Please share with people when you adopt and why it's better than buying a puppy. Puppies are a lot of work and I can usually find a dog with the look you want that is house trained and kennel trained and doesn't chew on your shoes.” 


Buddy, the Christmas Husky's forever foster mom, Shari "Mama Shay" Baillargeon is a foster mom today to more than 16 homeless Huskies and Husky puppies saved by MUSH Rescue, Siberian Husky Rescue of Atlanta, GA. Photo by Lisa Byrd.


Fabulous Foster Families 

“Foster families are our lifeblood!” proclaims Steph. “Without fosters, we can't do any of what we do. They provide a safe, loving, low-stress environment for dogs coming from shelters. It helps the dogs to learn to live properly in a home, and it helps with… training. Sometimes people are thinking they want to add another dog or maybe they aren't sure (these) are the right breed for them, so fostering gives them a chance to try it out without making the lifelong commitment to the dog.” Jodi Klein, vice-president of Tails of the (now closed) Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue in Pennsylvania, has fostered more than 25 Huskies for over 15 years, and offers some sage advice, “Ask a lot of questions from a seasoned foster home. The most important factor is being open-minded, knowing your own household and what will fit in it, and being committed to learning while helping.” 

Notes Danielle of Husky House, “There are thousands of homeless Huskies and mixes sitting in shelters on death row right now. By fostering… you are making room in our shelter for us to help more dogs.” And who knows? Maybe the situation will even become a “foster fail” — a term of endearment that means the Husky being fostered became adopted by the foster family! 

Article by Dorothy Wills-Raftery originally published in 4Knines.com

   

How to Find a Siberian Husky Rescue 

Visit FiveSibes listings on our FiveSibes Siberian Husky & Northern Breed Rescues and Military/Law Enforcement Adoption Page! You can also check out RescueMe.org’s list of national and international Siberian Husky rescues at: http://husky.rescueshelter.com/.

#BreedEducate2Relate is a reminder to educate potential dog families on a breeds specific needs PRIOR to welcoming a dog into their home, especially the Siberian Husky breed, so the dog will be in a loving FOREVER home!    
 
“Dogs, like people, are individuals, but many breeds do frequently display some common characteristics. A high energy, young Siberian Husky might not be the best choice for a sedate senior couple living in a small apartment, but would be a great companion for an active young jogger looking for a running partner," informs Brad Johnson of Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue (NLSDR) the largest northern breed rescue in the Great Lakes region.  "Everyone wins if you adopt a dog that fits your lifestyle."
 
Our FiveSibes™ #WaitingWednesday 
Special  Feature!

Periodically, on a Wednesday we will be featuring a Siberian Husky & Northern Breed Dogs rescue and some of their beautiful adoptable dogs "waiting" for their forever homes!


 Our Badge!

Originally started in the summer of 2019 as a blog hop, #WaitingWednesday is now be an occasional feature where on a Wednesday I will be highlighting a rescue/rescues and some of their beautiful Siberian Huskies, Husky mixes, Alaskan Malamutes, and northern breed sled dogs available for adoption and fostering along with their contact information. I encourage everyone to join me in becoming “a village” by sharing 
the posts across your social media in the hopes of helping these homeless Huskies find their forever families!



I also invite Rescues of northern breed dogs (and mixes of both) to send me your info and some of your adoptables to highlight in an upcoming #WaitingWednesday feature! Feel free to Email info and photos to FiveSibes(at)gmail(dot)com and put “Waiting Wednesday Adoptable” in subject line!

And remember our special FiveSibes hashtag:
 Because we cannot do it alone; it takes a "village" to help rescues help homeless Huskies!


 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dorothy Wills-Raftery

Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in American Pet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show.

Dorothy is an 11-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2019, 2017, and 2016 for her writing, photography, and design. Her radio show/podcast "The Sibe Vibe" on Dog Works Radio episode "
 
Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by American Pet Magazine
 
An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with Purple Day® Every Day presented by The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for her #Paws4Purple Project, bot inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson.

You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, as well as on Twitter and Instagram as @FiveSibesMom. 



 

#ForeverFiveSibes
 

Comments

  1. Such beautiful dogs-hoping they all find the 'pawfect, fur-ever' homes soon. 💜

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bless those that care for these precious pups. It's what we all should do.

    Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such beauties all and so deserving of their happily ever after.

    ReplyDelete

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