A day at the fair
2 years ago
I went to a local fair called Winterfest because they advertised “Wild Wild Wolves.” And they actually had three huge wolves there and I got to pet them and get my picture taken. It was amazing. =)
Comments:
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No, there are no “captive wolves” in New Jersey, it’s illegal to own any wolf or wolf hybrid. They were from a wolf sanctuary.
I’ve been to a wolf sanctuary (Lakota) and it is totally worth it. They had four packs and we got to howl with them. You should definitely go to the one near you one day.
Umm
so again, I didn’t know where to post this but that cat is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
Anyhoo, how big etc. is a wolf? What do they act like in real life? All I see is on the movies how wolves are ferocious and usually possessed by some evil spirit. I think if I ever saw one in real life, my heart would explode with adrenaline.
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:) Thank you, that’s my kitten Hemi, he was rescued by my boyfriend. He’s an adorable little cat.
Stats on wolves:
Head & body length: 3-5 feet
Tail length: 1-2 feet
Hind foot length: 7-10 inches
Shoulder height: 2-3 feet
Weight, Male: 44-132 lbs
Weight, Female: 40-110 lbs
They are quite large. Their paws are generally the size of your hand. :)
Movies and stories generally portray wolves unfairly. In the wild, wolves will stay clear of humans. They don’t want to be bothered.
They mostly do a lot of hunting, running, and playing.
Actually whether a wolf is privately owned or in a sanctuary setting, it is still considered a captive wolf. A wolf would have to be living out in the wild to not be captive.
And in NJ, it is not illegal to own a wolf hybrid; more appropiately called a wolfdog. Here’s the state regulation.
"Wolf Hybrids are not regulated in the State of New Jersey. Wolves are regulated as potentially dangerous species and are not allowed to be possessed as pets." In addition, "no permit shall be issued for the possession of any species designated as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection."http://www.wolfdogalliance.org/legislation/statelaws.html
But since wolves are beginning to come off the endangered species list, they could, technically, be privately owned with a permit. The law would have to be rewritten otherwise.
NEW JERSEY
“Wolf Hybrids are not regulated in the State of New Jersey. Wolves are regulated as potentially dangerous species and are not allowed to be possessed as pets.” In addition, “no permit shall be issued for the possession of any species designated as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.”I also work for the NJ department of Environmental Protection, so I know the statutes. A wolf is considered a potentially dangerous species under statute N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.8. If you want to try to obtain a permit for a wolfdog, you need to go through this process:
b) The Department, at its discretion, may issue a permit for possession of a potentially dangerous species only after a clear showing that the criteria for the possession of such potentially dangerous species have been met.
CRITERIA FOR THE POSSESSION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SPECIES
The following information is in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.9.
(a) In addition to the general criteria in section 7:25-4.7, every person applying for a permit to possess potentially dangerous species shall meet each and every of the following criteria to the satisfaction of the Division:
1. Education and Background: Persons wishing to apply for a permit to possess a potentially dangerous species must have extensive experience in maintaining the species desired or related species.
2. Knowledge: Persons wishing to apply for a permit to possess potentially dangerous species must demonstrate a working knowledge and expertise in handling and caring for each of the species desired.
3. Protection of the Public: The housing facilities shall also be constructed to prevent public access to and contact with the animal. The potentially dangerous species shall not be kept as a pet, for hobby purposes or in situations, which, in the judgement of the Department, could adversely affect the health of the animal or which could constitute a hazard to the public.
4. Purpose and Intent: Persons applying to possess potentially dangerous species must submit a written statement of the purpose and intent of keeping the species.
5. Housing and Feeding: Persons applying for a permit to possess a potentially dangerous species must supply a written description of the housing and caging facilities for the species required. A summary must be submitted of a continuous source of food for the specific diet of the animals. Division personnel may inspect the completed facilities to determine if the facilities are suitable for the animal. Facilities must be constructed to prevent the possible escape of the animal.
6. Other Restrictions: Under no circumstances shall a person issued a pet shop or animal dealer permit possess any potentially dangerous species on the commercial premises, except in emergencies and for a limited period of time as stipulated by the Department in writing and subsequently agreed to by the animal dealer or pet shop owner, who shall assume full responsibility for the safety and welfare of both the animal and the public during its temporary storage. A potentially dangerous animal already on display at the premises of a pet shop or animal dealer and already under a permit for such display as of January 17, 1995 may remain so displayed under the terms and conditions of that permit for the lifetime of that animal.If these conditions aren’t met, you can be fined and your animal can be taken away from you and possibly destroyed. A lot of veterinarians refuse to treat dogs that they believe to be part wolf, so it can be difficult to get them proper care. Most places that give obedience classes will also refuse to serve you if your animal is part wolf.
So you can own one, but it’s easier to do it the illegal way if you can get a vet. And by captive, I meant as a pet, as in docile and domesticated. Wolves in preservations are captive, yes, but they run free in their pack in large enclosures; they don’t live in fenced in backyards.
The regulation you posted is essentially THE SAME, but longer version of what I already posted.
You wrote, Wolf Hybrids are not regulated in the State of New Jersey”
This means they are LEGAL and do NOT require a permit, period
A wolf hybrid is a wolfdog. It is not a wolf. A wolfdog that is 98% wolf is completely legal to own in NJ. To the untrained eye they look identical. Many sanctuaries call their animals wolves while essentially their animals are wolfdogs. Only a few sanctuaries actually have legitimate pure wolves. These animals come from lines that are not from the wild. Though about 20 or 30 years ago many wolf pups were pulled from the wild. They are ALL captive animals now and could not survive if released back into the wild! Therefore they are domesticated to a point where they require human care to survive.
I know several owners in NJ that keep their high % animals in larger pens than some sanctuaries. However, the vast majority of owners of wolfdogs have animals with much lower wolf content and many times can be successfully contained in the same manner as most northern dog breeds.
Be it in backyards, in the house, or in a pen.
Any knowledgeable owner can find a vet that will treat their animals. The rabies vaccine issue where “hybrids” are not USDA approved to be vaccinated is complete and utter BS. This was designed by politicians and the HSUS to discourage ownership. The rest of the world allows rabies vaccination of wolves and wds. That’s why rabid wolves in Europe are no longer a problem. It’s also how the Ethiopian wolves were saved from extinction.
My vet treats my wolfdogs with exactly the same protocol as most dogs. And my companions were all obedience trained.
Many times, sanctuaries will obtain their animals from irresponsible owners. They discourage ownership of these animals because of that reason. What they fail to say is that most cat and dog rescues obtain their animals from irresponsible owners too. Yet ownership of cats and dogs are encouraged…well maybe not by PETA.
It is important to note that responsible ownership is possible. See for yourself in this pdf slideshow.
http://www.greybook.org/RWolfdogOwnershipPP.pdf
You wrote, “And by captive, I meant as a pet, as in docile and domesticated.”
A pet is a beagle, etc, a wolfdog is a companion animal.
Your definition is of your own design. Keep in mind, not all dogs are docile and domesticated. Wolves and wolfdogs ARE TRAINABLE. Don’t believe the hype that says otherwise. However, it is true that the higher % wolf is in a dog generally makes it more difficult to be trained. Very independent canines like wolves and wolfdogs are considered domesticated by many states’ laws.
How do you think they are able to use these animals in the movies if they were not domesticated and docile!!!
Blood and Chocolate uses trained domesticated wolves.
Little Red Riding Hood stories need to be banned!
I’m not trying to have a petty argument on here. I’m just trying to show how the state views things. I work at DEP. I love wolves, dogs, and wolfdogs. I have nothing against them.
But the state and some vets consider it to be that when the animal is PART wolf, it is therefore wolf, and therefore not completely tame or stable.
I’m just trying to point out issues that can unfortunately arise from people owning wolfdogs. I have a friend one town over from me who has a high content wolfdog and he has had problems finding a vet in our area.
I’m well aware that responsible ownership is possible. Please stop preaching to me. I’m not trying to fight with you. I myself would love to own a wolfdog one day and already have the plans to build the proper enclosure. I’ve read about and studied wolves and wolfdogs since I was probably 8 years old.
Everything can be taken wrong over the internet. I’m trying to give you simple examples but it looks like you’re making me sound very negative.
I don’t even view my pets (like my dalmatian) as mere pets- they too are my companion animals. They mean the world to me and are some of my most cherished friends in life.
Well… I apologize if I’m coming across like I’m argueing. I’m not. However I’m insistent on giving the whole truth. You are only giving one side to a two sided situation.
You seem to want to continue this with your own brand of preaching as well as contradicting yourself a lot.
Your simple examples are inadequate to the complex situation regarding wolfdogs. The state vet is ONLY viewing the wolfdog to be a wolf in regards to the rabies issues. Wolfdogs are legal. Wolfdogs therefore are wolfdogs. NJ requires all canines (that includes wolfdogs) to be vaccinated. Unfortunately with the wolfdog, the vaccine hasn’t been approved by the USDA.
You say I am being negative LOL
Read your own words here darlin’
“there are no “captive wolves” in New Jersey, it’s illegal to own any wolf or wolf hybrid.”
You are wrong regarding wolfdogs! Can’t you just admit it and move on?
Howls
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