Orange County Animal Services Finds Homes For Three More Wolf-Dogs

Five down, just three to go.

On Monday, Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) announced that they have found permanent homes for three of the eight wolf-dog hybrids who have been living in the animal shelter since last summer.

The wolf-dogs left the shelter on Friday for a Wisconsin sanctuary called Mattersville. Two other dogs had already gone to a sanctuary in Colorado, leaving only three who are still at the shelter.

“This has been a long journey and we are elated to find appropriate placement for these animals,” said OCAS director Dr. Sandra Strong. “These types of transfers take an enormous amount of effort from everyone involved. We are so grateful to these amazing organizations that were able to give these wolf-dogs the type of safe environment and enrichment they require. After caring for them daily for many months and working so hard to find placement, it means everything for us to see them move on to a wonderful new chapter in their lives.”

The wolf-dogs were part of a group of ten that got out of an enclosure in Cedar Grove last July. (Reports conflict over whether the dogs escaped or were released.) One of the animals was fatally struck by a vehicle, but OCAS was able to trap the other nine and they’ve been living in the Orange County animal shelter ever since.

Two of the wolf-dog hybrids found a permanent home at a sanctuary in Colorado. Orange County Animal Services said the nonprofit was chosen by a thorough vetting process. (Photo via WolfWood Refuge.)

A veterinarian determined that one of the nine dogs was a German Shepherd, but the other eight were wolf-dog hybrids, likely bred illegally and illegal to own in Orange County. OCAS officials said it would be a “public danger” to place the animals with anyone besides a licensed professional or sanctuary — but with very few such sanctuaries in existence, and limited space at each one, it has been challenging to find homes for the dogs.

Compounding the problem, a veterinary behaviorist in December determined it would be stressful and inhumane for the dogs to remain in the shelter long-term. That sparked widespread concerns among local residents that the dogs were in danger of being euthanized. A spokesperson for OCAS said that might happen if no sanctuary can be found, but there is no deadline to find one.

Now, three of the dogs are headed to Mattersville, an organization that provides housing, job training, and mental health resources for veterans. Mattersville runs a program called “Heroes and Hybrids,” providing sanctuary for wolf-dogs while also offering veterans an opportunity to care for the animals.

“Working with animals can be extremely healing,” Mattersville says on its website. “The [Heroes and Hybrids] program is designed to integrate the lives of our veterans and our wolf-dogs to drive their mutual relationships toward something we call Pack Healing.”

Orange County officials say they are still working to find placement for the three remaining dogs.

Photo via Orange County Animal Services.

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Orange County Animal Services Finds Homes For Three More Wolf-Dogs

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