YAMNUSKA WOLFDOG SANCTUARY (6 min read)
Winding through the mountains and not far from Banff, just outside of Cockrane is a Sanctuary. A Wolfdog Sanctuary, Wolfdog ? What’s that? Well as you probably guessed, mating a Domestic Canine and a wolf. These beautiful creatures are sold for large amounts of money, people don’t realize what they are getting and depending on the content of wolf to dog ratio can very quickly get out of control. So Georgina, the founder, had to do something to help these beautiful pups. Many years ago she worked at a sled dog kennel just outside Canmore that had Wolfdogs on the property, this is where she fell in love with them. She adopted her own in 2009 and in 2011 Yamnuska was opened to rescue and protect the Wolfdog breed at a Canmore location. The first location of the sanctuary was located close to Mount Yamnuska. That’s how they got their name, Yaknuska.
In 2015, they moved to there current location a way larger property and Wolfdogs now have 1-2 acre enclosures so they can roam and run. It’s a beautiful facility, the care for the animals can be seen by all the interaction from staff. You can feel the love for these animals, not only do they have Wolfdogs they also have over 40 goats at the sanctuary
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You drive though the front gates and down to the end of the road, there you find a little gift shop and the entrance to the Wolfdog Sanctuary. You check your clothes make sure no loose strings. No fake fur. Shoe laces are tied up. No smoking , no smells ect . There is a dress code to see the wolf dogs, most of the Wolfdog rescues have had a bad experience with humans SO BE RESPECTFUL!! We get to go in there kennels and see some up close, my wife and I are so excited. There are rules, you need to follow the rules for the well being of the animals. You first walk in the little gift shop and right away are greeted by Skookum, the really big and really friendly Alaskan malamute. Loves giving kisses and loves his bed. From there we are going to go meet the Yamnuska Pack. After Skoomum gives us a kiss of course.
WHAT IS A WOLFDOG ?
A wolf dog is a cross breed between a domestic dog and a wolf. Different kinds do exist, and is dependent on what kind of wolf you breed too. You can have a high content Wolfdog which is more wolf the dog. Which is obviously harder to care for and adopt than a low content Wolfdog. The characteristics of a Wolfdog created by breeding a wolf to a dog are not predictable just like that of mixed-breed dogs, you really don’t know what you get. Could be a low content Wolfdog or a high content Wolfdog, also somewhere in the middle. It really is up to Mother Nature❤️
The gorgeous property is split into 9 or more pack areas. The packs are named after mountains in Alberts, keeping with the mountain theme. There is too many packs to do a story on all of them so I’m going to focus on 1 pack, which pack is that ? Well of course the YAKNUSKA pack. I just loved our tour, ALL THE STAFF REALLY ARE AMAZING, you can feel the passion they have for their job.
ALPHA MALE ZEUS
Zeus is a high content wolf dog, which means he is more wolf than dog. Zeus is the boss of this pack, at one year of age he came to the sanctuary. His owner could not contain him or control him any longer. Eating the house and other destructive behaviour, his owner thought he was bad, no he was bored. Wolfdogs need stimulation and area to roam, so Georgina stepped in and rescued him. Zeus only feels comfortable to get pets of affection only from staff or people that he knows. Around these parts he’s known as the grump old man. Funny, that’s what they call me too Zeus.
ALPHA FEMALE KUNA
KUNA came to the sanctuary at just 11 weeks of age. Her owners found her very difficult to handle, destructive to their home. She is very stubborn and really smart Wolfdog, she can communicate her needs and wants with the staff very well.
Well are we sensing a pattern ? These are high content Wolfdogs. They need special attention.
NOVA
Next we have NOVA , he is a high content arctic Wolfdog, he has a beautiful bright white coat. Nova loves his Alpha male Zeus, we witnessed Nova giving love and licks to Zeus. Nova is a Wolfdog though and though, but the right people have earned his trust and he can be very loving towards them.
NIKKI
And last we have NIKKI , shown here with Nova in the above pic. Nikki who is a low content Wolfdog. When she first came to the sanctuary from the Red Deer animal control she was a wild girl, absolutely feral. Through constant work from the staff, today she has made an incredible transformation, visitors can give her pets and belly rubs it’s truly amazing.
ADOPTION
Check out there adoption process, so you think you have what it takes to adopt and care for a Wolfdog ? Lots of work involved but if you have a place in your heart for these beautiful animals your life will be forever enriched... check it out and have a look Here
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With the tour we get to feed some of the Wolfdogs in another enclosure. These are lower content Wolfdogs and it was a incredible experience. They are so friendly and nice. They come right up and eat from your hand! We already have plans to go back this year ( COVID-19 permitting) it was an incredible experience I hope if your in Banff to book a tour !!!!
Here are a few bonus pics
Thank you so much for reading ❤️❤️