The Yamnuska Wolf Dog Sanctuary is hoping to break a fundraising record this year with their massive online auction.
The sanctuary, a 13 minute drive west of Cochrane, has more than 150 items available for bidding. The items include a Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise package, a wolf tattoo, Calgary Flames tickets and other items.
The organization hopes to raise more than $15,000 and so far the response from the community has been positive.
“We are currently sitting just under $12,000 with the current bids, so we need that final push to get us to our goal,” said sanctuary spokesperson Alyx Harris.
The sanctuary was established in 2011 after Georgina De Caigny and Andi Scheibenstock identified a need for a knowledgeable and experienced rescue organization that would make the rehabilitation and rehoming of displaced wolfdogs a priority. The sanctuary is one of the largest in Canada and balances educational programs and boasts a highly successful adoption program as well.
Twenty-nine wolfdogs call the sanctuary home. Most of their residents are transferred from other organizations or owner surrenders.
“Wolfdogs are not an accidental occurrence of a wild wolf and dog breeding, but are actually the result of humans intentionally breeding them as exotic pets,” said Harris.
“They tend to be quite challenging even with just a small amount of wolf content as wolves and dogs are so drastically different from each other.”
The organization is vital because it saves many wolfdogs that are at risk of euthanasia and their knowledgeable staff provides education on why wolfdogs typically don’t make the best pets are not suited for most people.
“We help people to also understand that they are not aggressive just because there is some wolf content in them, as wolves are not aggressive themselves.”
“They tend to be very shy, sensitive and misunderstood animals that people see in a completely different light than what they actually are. Wolfdogs need a voice and we are that voice for them.”
Money raised from the auction will go toward providing food, supplements, veterinary care and daily enrichment for the animals. The organization is also planning to build more platforms, structures and shelters in the wolfdog enclosures
To view the items available for auction visit https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/index.cfm?auctionID=19518
