The number of Huskies being surrendered by owners who can’t cope with them has increased by more than 400% in the UK with at least three breed-specific rescues in Northern Ireland at full capacity.
Much of the blame for the buy-and-surrender issue around Huskies is placed on their association with popular TV shows and movies plus the undeniable primal appearance of these dogs, many of them with startling blue eyes.
Tragically their popularity has been boosted by the apparently irresistible influence of HBO’s fantasy TV show Game of Thrones, much of it filmed in Northern Ireland, and movies such as Eight Below, based on a true story of an Antarctic expedition.
Experts say as companions, the dogs are incredible but so too are the levels of care, exercise and careful containment needed to enable them to live well in society.
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Game of Thrones had an average global audience of 40 million viewers per episode creating many fans of the Northern Inuit dog stars, who to the untrained eye had a wolf-like appearance.
And while there are very few Northern Inuits in rescues, their close cousins, the Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Akitas and other Spitz-type dogs are frequent and often long-term guests of rehoming groups across the country.
In Northern Ireland almost every animal rescue group has taken in numerous northern-breed dogs and the local Husky-dedicated rehabilitation and rehoming groups are now full to breaking point with dogs on lists waiting to be admitted.
Hayley Doak who runs Tyrone Husky Rescue says their cute, fluffy appearance as puppies and the draw of the clear blue eyes many of the dogs have, is enough for some people to make a life changing addition to their home - but not always one they can handle.
And she agrees the Game of Thrones and several movies exposed these beautiful dogs to the wider world, creating a temptation that the public seems unable to resist.
She explained: “There’s no doubt, they're a beautiful breed. Most people looking for a Siberian Husky want one with blue eyes - and you can see why. They're stunning. But blue eyes or not, these dogs are a challenge as a household pet.
"Many people manage very well with them but many sadly don't think that that’s where we in rescue end up picking up the pieces.
“Huskies are really not your regular domesticated dog. They have a huge prey drive which triggers the escape artist in them they'll try to find a way to get to prey unless they're properly contained.
"They have energy that seems never ending, bred to run all day in the harshest of conditions - and they actually need to run. It's in their DNA.
"They’re not an aggressive breed but get bored easily and tend to be destructive, destroying furniture, walls, doors, skirting boards, kitchens, anything really because their bodies are powerful and their brains need stimulation.
"These dogs need to be worked or properly exercised and for most of them, a walk or two a day just isn’t enough.
“Their recall can be questionable because they’re single minded, instinctive, independent and determined no matter what recall training they've had.
“And if that's is not enough to contend with, their beautiful coats shed twice a year, and not just for a day or two. The shedding can last weeks and sometimes months. The amount they moult is mind blowing.
"If you can handle all of that, then maybe you could consider them as a companion. If not, you'd be better to look at another breed."
In the past few years the numbers of lost, abandoned or surrendered northern breeds, Huskies in particular, have been climbing fast and are still ahead of a drop-off in popularity.
In 2010, a year before the first series of Game of Thrones aired, just 79 Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Akitas were being cared for by Dogs Trust UK, compared to 411 the following year - an increase of 420%.
And in Northern Ireland the problem has continued from 2010 to today with no sing of letting up yet.
At Tyrone Husky Rescue, Hayley has rescued and rehabilitated nearly 400 Huskies from circumstances of neglect and abuse, but mostly from surrender.
She said: “In general, people don’t really understand the Husky character and many of them end up in rescue. We may be at our peak now and I hope it will drop off soon, but I'm working at capacity with 18 Huskies.
"Husky Salvation is also incredibly busy and Alaskan Malamute Rescue is packed too, everyone working incredibly hard to rehabilitate and look after these dogs.
"All dog rescues are under huge pressure across Northern Ireland but Huskies must be one the most challenging breeds to rehome successfully because of all the requirements around keeping them engaged, healthy and secure.”
Hayley has created a safe haven for rescue Huskies in Co Tyrone with all the security of a military operation, six foot fences above ground keep the dogs enclosed, with two feet below ground and the perimeter covered with concrete or paving slabs.
Having left her home with the hope of living on site to care for the dogs, she has spent more than £48,000 building a secure retreat for the Huskies that no one else wanted, £22,000 of it on fencing alone.
She said: “It takes money, time and effort to ensure these dogs are safe and secure. Mine simply cannot get out and thankfully they have enough room to run and pay under supervision to tire them out every day.
"The alternative for my rescue dogs is being put to sleep and for me, no right thinking human being with any moral fibre would want to see a healthy dog put to sleep.
“I hope to be able to continue my work rescuing Huskies because to be honest it is vital and the alternative is euthanasia. All rescue groups do essential work, all dogs have different needs and my life is dedicated to these Huskies who would otherwise be dead.
“I would ask anyone who's thinking of getting a Husky, not only to do their reading and research but to get hands on. Maybe they could volunteer at a rescue group to get right in the mix with these dogs.
"I would rather people worked out that Huskies were not for them, than see a rehoming go wrong. That’s awful for the dog, sad for the family and heart breaking for the rescue.”
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Tyrone Husky Rescue is currently trying to protect their work to save abandoned Huskies after Mid Ulster District Council rejected a planning application for their new location.
Thousands of people, some of whom have surrendered dogs to the group, have signed a petition calling on the council to see the sense of allowing the rescue to operate.
The petition states: “The decision to turn down the planning application was made without a site visit which would have demonstrated just how secure the site is.
“Hayley is the voice for the voiceless who should not be silenced by people who simply don’t yet understand how special her work is.
“When others gave up on these dogs, when they were to be put to sleep, Hayley looked after them and showed the dogs how to live in society, and helped people learn to live well with these very special dogs.
“Hayley just needs a chance to show all the work she has done, how effective it is and how a community can come together to support each other and help animals who have no voice of their own.
“We know that good politicians, sensible politicians, decent politicians listen first and make measured decisions, but they have to be given the chance to get all the facts. Please support this petition, please tell your story about how Hayley has helped you and your dog.”
Hayley said: “We want to stay here for the sake of the dogs in the safe space that we have created with the concerns and needs of the community and the Huskies in mind, because sadly the need to rescue Huskies is not going to stop in the next few weeks.
"As much as I love them, success will be an empty rescue centre with no Huskies in need and none on a waiting list either and that’s what I am pushing for every day.
"Their popularity exploded 10 years ago but it will dwindle eventually as people move on to other breeds they favour - that's the problem with buying a dog because you liked it in a movie. For many it just doesn't work out through no fault of the dog, and then we end up stepping in.
“I hope our council comes to see what has been created here, to see how secure it is and how it is serving the community. I would ask anyone who has adopted from the rescue to write a letter explaining your experience, plus anyone who has surrendered a dog explaining why they had to be given up. It's hard to understand the situation without knowing the facts.
"Husky rescue is an essential service right now. Our success will be marked by the day we are no longer needed and I can retire. We just need the chance to get there."
If you would like the chance to support the petition to help the Huskies, click here and follow the link.
