ASPCA Grants $50,000 to Help Lockwood Animal Rescue Center Care for Rescued Wolf-dogs

Chatham, N.H.—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has provided Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC) with a $50,000 grant to shelter 25 wolf hybrids (also known as wolf-dogs) rescued earlier this month by LARC and Upper Valley Humane Society. The wolf-dogs were rescued from Dancing Brooke Wolf Lodge, a sub-standard so-called sanctuary in Bristol, N.H. after the owners were evicted from the property. No arrests have been made to date.

The grant funding will also allow LARC to care for other wolf-dogs rescued from across the eastern U.S. at its newly established facility, the New England Wolf Advocacy and Rescue Center (NEWARC) in Chatham, N.H. The Center was opened this past August after LARC acquired a 70 acre property and began building habitats for wolf-dogs rescued from cruelty cases and for the ever-increasing number of these animals being relinquished to shelters and other animal rescue organizations.

Many of the wolf-dogs rescued from Dancing Brooke Wolf Lodge were suffering from long-standing illnesses and are now receiving extensive medical attention at NEWARC. The animals will undergo spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations and antibiotic regimens until they are well enough to live in their outdoor habitats funded by the ASPCA.

“Without the assistance of the ASPCA, LARC would not have been able to provide lifetime living habitats for these animals at the sanctuary now called NEWARC.  Wolf-dogs (part wolf and part dog) are not adoptable to the general public and are euthanized by most state agencies upon seizure,” stated Matthew Simmons, co-founder of both LARC and NEWARC.

“Due to restrictive legislation and irresponsible breeding, wolf-dogs have been left with no place to live and thrive,” added Kathryn Destreza, director of investigations for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “We are extremely grateful for organizations like LARC who provide these animals with much-needed sanctuary, and we are proud to help them expand their efforts to help more wolf-dogs on the east coast.”

As part of its “Warriors and Wolves” program, LARC has employed numerous veterans—many with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other trauma-related injuries—to provide daily care and rehabilitate the animals from Dancing Brooke Wolf Lodge. The program offers veterans an opportunity to work daily with the animals and participate in hands-on social activities that are mutually beneficial for the veterans and wolf-dogs—helping both overcome psychological wounds related to their respective traumatic experiences.

Click here for photos of the Dancing Brooke Wolf Lodge rescue for media use. Photo credit: Lockwood Animal Rescue Center.

Photos of the Dancing Brooke Wolf Lodge rescue