A fight for husky rights and the limelight

  Husky Rescue Western Australia and Husky and Malamute Rescue are fighting for the attention of the online public. Husky Rescue WA, was formed in 1999 to find homes for artic dog breeds, such as various kinds of huskies and the Malamute breed in response to a rise in surrendered dogs. Mrs Anne Black from Bentley, the owner of Husky Rescue WA  since 2015, joined five years ago because couldn’t believe there were so many dogs without homes. She finds people prepared to adopt homeless huskies, and this year has already adopted out 58 dogs. “I found the number of artic breeds being surrendered was disgusting. People buy these beautiful dogs as puppies and don’t realise how much work they need,” she said. Husky and Malamute Rescue (HAMR) was formed in 2015 and find dogs permanent homes too, using an adoption fee  to pay for the vet care and needs of the dogs. “Puppies are $600, young dogs are $400 and elderly dogs are $200,” Mrs Black said. Neither organisations have a set shelter, however any interested individuals can become a foster carer until the dogs find permanent homes. HAMR, formed after a controversy between members of Husky Rescue WA and Mrs Black, who had refused to euthanise a malamute. Jet, a four-year-old male, showed signs of anxiety that led to aggression when not handled properly. In the process of the dog’s foster time, he bit two carers. “He was a territorial strong-minded dog, and I was given advice and threat online to put him down, however I knew that he was just not taught properly in the first place,” Mrs Black said. After Mrs Black refused to put him down, volunteers decided to withdraw and create HAMR, they refused to comment on their departure from Husky Rescue WA, or of wanting to euthanise Jet. Jet now lives with Mrs Black and three of her other adopted huskies. “He has not once bit me or any of my other dogs, because he finally got the training he needed,” Mrs. Black said. Husky Rescue WA is now finding it hard to expand because of its online reputation that was tarnished due to not euthanising Jet. “We now have keyboard warriors on our website and Facebook who have given us a bad status because of my decision,” Mrs Black said. The Bounce contacted the RSPCA for comment, but media officer Richard Schoonraad said the society did not comment on other animal rescue organisations.     -Laura-Lee Traynor.