Wolves
After decades of misinterpretation of wolves as being
vicious animals, a new myth has formed – that a wolf is just a “big dog”.
This is not true. Wild wolves are simply that – wild. Dogs have been
domesticated for 20,000 to 50,000 years and have evolved into a completely
different animal. They are well suited to living with humans, and with
over a hundred different types of dogs to choose from, there is no reason
for keeping a wild animal.
Keeping wolves as pets is usually done for
vanity. As people don’t know how to keep a wild animal, the wolf ends up
suffering greatly.
Zoos and organisations receive hundreds of letters and
desperate phone calls a year from people who no longer can care for their
“pet”. This is because wolves usually act like an alpha or leader of
humans, and consequently bite and pounce on people, as they would do to
members of the pack. There are many considerations in keeping wolves as
pets:
~Wolves need a great deal of space (10 – 15 square
miles).
~Wolves can dig large tunnels and climb tall fences.
~Wolves
think that cats, dogs and other small animals are prey.
~Wolves require
20 pounds of raw meat per week.
~Wolves cannot be treated by dog’s
vaccinations.
~Wolves do not have the immune system to cope with
viruses transmitted by dogs to wolves.
~Wolves cannot be returned to
the wild after being “socialized” as they lose their hunting
skills.
~Wolves need the company of other pack members.
~Pet wolves
and wolf hybrids can cause instant tragedy with a single bite (their jaws
being twice as strong as a German Shepherd’s).
If you truly love wolves, then you should do what is right
for the animal. Adopt a Wolf through an organization to help the
animals survive, but please don’t keep them as pets.
Please learn more at Wolf Haven!! Help Support!
For more info about captive wolves and hybrids as pets Click
here
Nakomis
Elder Sweet Mystic
