Will Howl for Food!

Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Rescue and Sanctuary, founded, 2002.



A recap of 21 years of saving lives of “abused and refused” wolfdogs from all over the country.

Oh, that fateful day in May, when a truck hauling animals from NH to TN, got stuck in my driveway, I had no idea how my life was going to change.  Some 21 years and 700+ wolfdogs, here I am…

Wolfdog rescue isn’t like doggie dog or kitty cat rescue. Dogs and cats are accepted. Wolfdogs are “mythunderstood”, although they are recognized by USDA as domestic animals, the public thinks they are “wild”. Wolfdogs are no more inherently dangerous than any other large canine and in reality less likely to get into an altercation with a human! We have focused on education as well as rescue.

I hope you will notice that I did not use the term wolf hybrid!

The average American Wolfdog is a product of a wolfdog to wolfdog breeding, with the pure captive bred wolf being 3 or more generations in the background.  A hybrid is a cross between 2 distinct and separate species, or in some cases, breeds – think Golden Doodle!

The dog breeds in the mix is often overlooked and the emphasis is put on the wolf genetics. In reality, the dog in the mix is more crucial as the wolf content is diluted over many generations.

DNA testing is still in its infancy, but it sure has helped me and other rescuers/responsible owners look at the variable in the particular wolfdog we are working with. I have found that the majority of all American wolfdogs we have tested at the farm contain genetics from Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds. There are some breeders that have used Norwegian Elkhounds or Belgian Shepherds, and a few Collie genes pop up now and then. Wolfdog breeding has been very random over the last 80 years here in America. In Europe, wolfdogs are looked at differently, and they are developing a breed standard, using the dog genes to determine conformation and behavior! They even have dog shows! We would love to see that thought process come across the pond and help American Wolfdogs become understood.

Wolfdogs are not for everyone to own, but neither are most working breeds. Border Collies, Huskies, Malinois, Bloodhounds, etc. need a job to be fulfilled and happy. Wolfdogs need enrichment and someone to love and understand them. We do our best for them every day.

Full Moon Farm and I are extremely thankful to all our supporters that keep us going.

Joyous howls from the Mountain!

Hello Supporters,

This month, I have taken away the steering wheel and handed my keyboard over to my "right hand" and Vice President, Paulina Romanelli, who stepped up during my cancer scare last year and continues to amaze me by her knack of finding humor in the oddest places.

As most of you know, animal rescue can be heartbreaking, exhausting, and consuming. Our work for the animals' best welfare is our goal. While Full Moon Farm is primarily a wolfdog sanctuary, we often receive "pet quality" animals that can be placed into well qualified homes. Part of our mission is to conduct professional placements as well as using our expertise to help other organizations with placements and transports.

Enter Paulina and her wonderful sense of humor!

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Do you love to travel? Meet new people and see new places? Then the exciting career of wolfdog transport might be for you!

Travel via a large, unmarked van to such exotic locations as Ohio, Michigan, unnamed towns in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio again. 

Accommodations will vary between the worst room in a pet friendly motel or sleeping in the driver's seat because there are too many crates in the van. All expenses will be paid as long as you can survive off $50 a week. 

Meet interesting people! Spend time with new friends by trying to find weaknesses in their fencing. Do you have a passion for education? Then you'll enjoy explaining to families that they are no longer allowed to have potted plants or breakable possessions. 

See the world!.....as long as the state, city, county, township, street, and neighborhood is wolfdog legal. 

And mostly, learn about yourself. Did you know you have a favorite parking spot at the Tennessee welcome center? You will! Learn the minimum amount of sleep you need to survive and learn how much dog noise you can sleep through. Learn about bravery and parking laws as you try to find a place to rest in a van full of howling wolfdogs. But in the end, you'll learn how much you love the dog you're transporting and how you'll miss them every day. 

Howls from the road,

Paulina

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Joyous howls!

Nancy and the Pack