How to Find Your Own Direwolf (P.S. WHERE IS GHOST?)

It’s almost impossible to watch Game of Thrones without dreaming of owning your very own direwolf. As it tends to happen after a popular movie or television show featuring a dog comes out, the popularity of Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes exploded.

What most people don’t know is that these breeds tend to be a LOT of work. Some people have a lifestyle perfectly suited to Huskies and Malamutes, but many people find themselves unprepared to deal with the daily care and attention requirements that come with these majestic dogs. Huskies tend to be high energy, escape artists that shed like crazy! Malamutes will have similar cleaning requirements, with a strong prey drive and a penchant for digging up gardens. Sadly, these qualities mean that these types of dogs often end up at shelters and rescues due to no fault of their own.

If you’re thinking about bringing a Husky or Malamute into your life, please consider making adoption your first option. Shelter workers see these animals come in on a regular basis as owner surrenders, so keep an eye on sites like Petfinder.com for available animals near you. If you want to adopt a Husky or Malamute from people thoroughly experienced in the breed, you can also go to a local rescue, such as Texas Husky Rescue or Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association. They will be able to provide you with detailed advice about the breed and help you find the perfect pet to match your family. Remember – adopt, don’t shop!

The SPCA of Texas Findapet page has a Pet Alert feature that provides you with a notification when the breed you want, or a mix of that breed, becomes available at one of our animal care centers. Head to spcafindapet.com to get started finding your new best friend.