A few questions regarding adopting huskies

[Ramen]

I live in Montreal (Canada), and recently, in a small town about 35km away, 37 huskies were found abandoned in a forest. Apparently (I don't know the full details, but I'm recounting what I remember), the dogs owners wanted them disposed of, so they were left to die there, they have been left in the forest since last September. I've have heard that at least one dog had died since they were found last Wednesday.

Currently, the Canine Feline Rescue is trying to get homes for these poor dogs and I felt compelled to adopt one of these dogs because I was deeply touched by this story. The problem is that somethings are still unclear for me, though some threads in this forum have taught me a lot.

I have no previous experience with dogs, but I have raised numerous birds at my house, including a rooster. I have also raised some catfishes. (I don't currently have any pets though). I was planning on raising a Westie, but this came up. I have read the part where it says "For experienced involved dog owners".

I really want to help at least one of these dogs, so I'm afraid I won't be heeding that warning. I'm planning on adopting within the next few days, and I was wondering what would I immediately need to do once I get them, as these dogs are not just regular huskies, they've been starving for quite a while now.

Some of my questions are:

If have to transport all the way from the adoption point, what do I need (crates I assume), and what else do I have to consider?

What and how much to feed immediately? I'm aware that feeding humans that have been starving for long periods of time regular human food can kill them, perhaps the same applies for these Huskies. My father owns a restaurant, and I was wondering if I can make dog food from the ingredients we have there, instead of purchasing dog food.

How to house 1 or 2 huskies? The only two places where I can house them inside my home are on hard tile, or hard cement garage floor. The room with the hard tiles is rather small. The garage is filled to the brim with junk and equipment, and it is not well lit. I also have a moderately spacious backyard with really tall pine trees and grass. Perhaps someone can link me to dog house construction guide.

How and what should I get the dog(s) treated for immediately? They've been in the forest for a long time, and before that they were used for mushing. I guess if these dogs were owned by a company, all its necessary shots were given already? How much will this cost?

I have a sister of four years, who's very active and hyper, but she loves animals. How badly can the dog injure her, and vice versa? What other precautions should I take, and what else should I know?

I've also read that these dogs require a lot of exercise, but if the dogs I adopt are really beat up from being in the forest for so long, how do I go about rehabilitating them?

Is there any form of registration by the city or the likes that I need to have taken care of? I live in Montreal, so if someone from there, or maybe in Quebec, or Canada knows, please let me know

Thank you very much for reading through, and if you have anything else to say such as your opinions, advice, criticism, or commentary, I'd be glad to hear it.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

the problem with the fact theres 37 of them makes me wonder if they were once working dogs - if so then they are going to need ALOT more exercise then the average sibe - and the average sibes needs ALOT so a working sibe is going to need A HELLUVA LOT - they cant be let offlead - and you have no idea of these dogs backgrounds - you dont know how they were raised how they actually lived (inside or outside - abused or loved at some point) i would be concerned about the fact u have a 4 year old child in ur house around a dog that u have no history of its background - these dogs arent like ur average dog either - they pull they dig they chew the howl LOUDLY they are very intellegent but can also be very stubborn and head strong with it - i would try and find out more about these dogs and talk to the people currently looking after them and see if they think you would be a suitable owner first n then if they say you would be we can help abit more knowing some more of the dogs background , temperment ect

[Andy]

This is the News report regarding these poor dogs

http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110806/mtl_dogs_110806/20110806/?hub=MontrealHome

[Ramen]

You're right, I'll try to find out more about their background

One point though, since they've been wasting in a forest for nearly a year, wouldn't they be too weak to do much exercise? I'm a pretty active person too, don't know it that cuts it either.

[Ramen]

Thanks for the link Andy

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

forgot to mention the wanting to escape and prey drive also - another reason they cant be offlead as they love to run run n run some more n kill small animals aswell

[Andy]

EVERYONE.

Please remember, this is a NEW member asking for info.

Hoping to help some badly treated Huskies.

Be Nice.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

You're right, I'll try to find out more about their background

One point though, since they've been wasting in a forest for nearly a year, wouldn't they be too weak to do much exercise? I'm a pretty active person too, don't know it that cuts it either.

not nesicarly (cnt spell sorry) they have avery high prey drive so have probably been surviving for nearly a year on rabbits ect they have caught and killed themselves

[Sarah]

agree with nix - they are going to need a LOT of work - and i would be very worried about having a child near them, by the sounds of it they've not been socialised with children - not something i'd want to risk really.

for a first time dog owner a husky is hard work. they need a lot of attention, walks, training, you can't let them off lead as they have a very high prey drive - i think as these are real WORKING dogs, their prey drive would be higher, they would also need - ideally to go to someone who could at least work them in harness. They are also not a dog you can feed odds and sods to, they have delicate stomachs and require a good quality food / a raw diet

[Ramen]

Do they eat things like raw steak or chicken?

[Sarah]

Do they eat things like raw steak or chicken?

yes however they can't just eat these things, they also like some veggies but things like onion / garlic / grapes are poisonous oh and chocolate is a HUGE no no

[sutsibe]

There are several good threads in the Food and Diet section on feeding raw diets, as well as on various types of prepared kibble/pet foods. If you decide on a commercial kibble, one with no grains is generally best for a Siberian, although all grains are not equal. Corn, wheat, soy(beans) and brewer's rice are all poor quality grains for this breed, especially; oats, barley and brown rice are better.

You might be able to keep one of these dogs if you are a runner, or have the time and ability to do a lot of walking, given that they were true working dogs. I would guess that they have never been inside a house, so you would have to start totally from scratch, teaching them everything they'd need to know about living in a house and close to humans - never heard a vacuum cleaner, TV, or any of the other devices we take so much for granted, not house trained, likely not crate trained, although they may have been used to riding in a dog box on a truck, which might make crate training a bit easier.

For your sake and the dog's, read carefully, and follow your head, rather than your heart. There will always be Siberians (and other dogs) that need good, caring homes - in a high-profile case like this one, it is easier to find good homes than it normally is, so if the timing isn't optimal, continue your research, and wait until a better candidate for you and your home comes along - there will always be a need!

[Kirbysowner]

we can assume a couple of things. they are probably used to being in kennels, they are good with other dogs as they have survived by themselves in a pack, would do better in a raw diet since that is what they have been eating (i hear most mushers feed raw). Also, these dogs are probably somewhat older.

I would personally get two of them If possible, and if they do require a lot of exercise you can use two for light mushing. But if they are indeed old, they will need as much exercise as a regular husky. The most important thing medically, would be deworming, possible fleas and ticks, heartworms, rabies vaccinations as well as all the other regular vacs dogs need.

As far as how they will react with a toddler, it is impossible to tell. that is a risk you would be taking.

If they are huskies, and not mixes, then you can expect very difficult dogs to have for first time owners. they require attention, special diets, lots of structure, they howl loud and for as long as they need to, they will probably have separation anxiety so they shouldnt be left alone for long periods of time. they will be destructive if not exercise enough. If they accept you as part of the pack you will have to battle for leadership as they can be stubborn and impossible to deal with if they dont respect you. blah blah blah. I'm sure you have read all this info already.

[Tan J P]

i'm really sorry but i do think you need to walk away from this one.

i really feel for these poor dogs but i think the fact that they have actually stated that experienced owners to apply is a warning you should heed.

i understand your urge to help,i'd probably be right behind you,but i seriously think you will be biting off more than you can chew!

i know we all started somewhere,but for your 1st husky i personally think you should try and find one that at least you can know some of their background

especially since you have a small child in the house.

these dogs have been wild for almost a year and i would imagine even an experienced person will have a hard time rehabilitating them.

good luck in whatever you do decide

[Laine]

Like you I want to help; my first thought was to adopt... but after taking a breath I realized that my better option would be to donate money to one of the shelters that's taking the dogs in.

As much as I want a husky, I am not currently set up to house a full grown possibly problematic sleddog. They're probably used to being outside all the time, and would take so much time to train that really, someone with better abilities/skills than I would be best for that dog. Plus, where I hope to get a pup this fall, having a dog like this beforehand I'd have to put that plan on hold for the good of both older dog and pup and in the end, I'd rather have the pup where I know the background and so on.

But I will still help where I can, and hope that the dogs are taken into homes where the people have the ability and time to do right by them. I agree with Tan; while your heart might be in the right place, from the sounds of it I don't think this would be a good idea for you to do. If however your heart is set on it, good luck to you and your new friend and remember to share pictures!

[mydiamond]

I'm really sorry, but I think I agree with the other posters above. Huskies are NOT recommended for people that doesn't have any experience with dogs before especially the huskies in the news--which is previously used as a sled dog. I know how you feel, I really feel like helping too but these dogs need a professional's care. I believe there are still countless dogs out there that is waiting for your help, it's just not this one keep searching, I know you'll be a good dog owner.. But I'm afraid these huskies are just not for you

[Biggles]

As @sutsibe said "go with your head and not your heart". You have a 4 year old sister who is active and hyper. Maybe it you want a husky it would be better to get one from a rescue/rehome centre where the dog has been assessed as to whether they are compatible with younger children. Again as @sdutsibe and other say, and I agree with her, maybe it would be better to wait until a better match comes along. There is nothing to say that if you want to, and can afford to, make a donation to the centre to help feed and care for these dogs.

[saikocat]

I'd agree with some of the others, even though it's a tough call, those poor doggies

Sibes aren't an easy breed, especially for a beginner, then mix in the fact these were working dogs AND neglected, you'd have a lot of work cut out for you even if you were very experienced. I'm not sure I think it'd be a great idea either

I'm inclined to agree with others that if you do want a Sibe, there is never a shortage of them looking for homes. That in itself can an indicator of the work you need to put in, people buy them because they're cute and find they just don't have the time or energy to put in. My gut says stick around on the forum and check out the rescues, and if you really want a Sibe and have done your research, you wouldn't have to look far to find one that really needs a home.

[Ramen]

I decided to donate money instead, thanks for the opinions though

[Sarah]

I decided to donate money instead, thanks for the opinions though

That's a great thing to do

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

thats so nice good on you

[Tan J P]

@Ramen what a fabulous thing to do

well done

please dont give up in your search for the right husky though when the time is right for you and your family!

[Removed #1]

Good on you for donating money...better on you for thinking things through.

It looks like there are a couple of rescues in your area...and you may want to consider looking at your local shelters if you still want to pursue finding your own furbaby. There are tons of people here who have experience with rescues and if you ask around you can get a general idea of what the adoption process should be like

[Removed #5]

This is the News report regarding these poor dogs

http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110806/mtl_dogs_110806/20110806/?hub=MontrealHome

Not found ...

[Ramen]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/08/08/huskies-found-hungry.html

Alternate source, I think theyre taking it down because there's more and more to the story emerging.