Game of Thrones fuels rise in number of abandoned pet ‘wolf-dogs’ after fans realise taking on their own Ghost is too much
GAME Of Thrones fans are fuelling a huge rise in abandoned “wolf-dogs”.
Majestic and loyal bodyguards to the likes of Jon Snow, it’s not surprising some GoT devotees seek out real life “direwolfs”.
But after getting their own Ghost, many fans realise they’ve taken on too much.
UK charity Dogs Trust has seen a whopping 420 per cent rise in the number of abandoned lookalike breeds such as Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies since the show started in 2011.
It is currently receiving two such dogs every day.
As the final season airs, 29 “wolf-dogs” are being looked after across the charity’s 21 UK rescue centres, including Evesham and Kenilworth in Warwickshire.
— but often fail to realise what these big, strong breeds will need on an ongoing daily basis as they grow.
Brit actor Jerome Flynn, who plays Ser Bronn in the show, this month urged fans to stop buying large breed canines they could not cope with.
He said: “While people may have good intentions, acquiring dogs on a whim has dire consequences.
“Animal shelters around the world are reporting a surge in the number of abandoned Huskies because the casual acquirer, drawn to the dog’s appearance, failed to take into consideration the amount of time, patience, and money required to care for these animals properly.”
I visited the Dogs Trust kennels in Kenilworth, where there were six “Direwolf-dogs”.
The rescue centre’s Kayla Maryon told me it is impossible not to link the influx of these large dogs — such as current resident Theo, five — with the show.
She said: “These are stunning, eye-catching dogs, and the show exposes them to millions. It’s easy to see why people who watch it then want one of their own.
"But some see them as a kind of status symbol on a lead. Sadly, too many are not thinking beyond the boxset to the animal’s future welfare and requirements.”
Originally bred for jobs such as hunting and pulling sleds, without enough daily activity the pups can become bored and frustrated. That leads to disruptive behaviour that ill-prepared owners weren’t expecting.
Kayla said: “Not all owners are ignorant, and the dogs come to us for a variety of reasons.
"But plenty who buy them as expensive puppies from breeders simply don’t realise what a commitment it is, or quite how large, tough, strong and bouncy that pup will become.”
Kayla is keen to stress that for owners who have done their research into the breed and can provide the right home, wolf-dogs make wonderful pets.
She said: “It can be frustrating when these dogs end up with us simply because the owners who hand them in weren’t educated about what to expect, but the positive is that we’ll always try to find them the ideal home.
“We make sure those re-homing our dogs are assessed carefully so we can make a good match. It’s fine by us if they are Game Of Thrones fans, as long as they can offer what the dog needs.”
It is heartbreaking to see so many wolf-dogs in the centre but the charity hopes after the show finale it will see fewer Thrones rejects.
Kayla added: “If you love Game Of Thrones and want a wolf-dog that’s fantastic, as long as you’ve done your research and will be able to look after it properly.
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“But please don’t just get one because they look cool on telly, when another dog might be more suitable for you.
“A dog is for life, not just the duration of a TV series.”
On this page are four of the dogs needing homes now.
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