Hello everyone. I am trying to find placement for a female husky that came into my possession back in January. She was originally found as a stray, a rescue took her in and asked me to foster her for a week until she could go on transport to a husky rescue in Florida. I agreed to fostering a 10 month old husky puppy for 1 week, and what it turned out to be was a 2 yr old female husky with some fear aggression/resource possessiveness issues and little to no bite inhibition. One week has also turned into 3 months. I have been asking the original rescue about networking her, trying to get her into a better foster situation, getting her vaccinated and spayed...and I get little to no response. They keep "forgetting" to schedule her vet appointment, they're "working on" getting her into rescue....but when I ask what rescues they've contacted, I get no response. I had briefly considered keeping her, as she has come so very far since January, but the reality is I'm not in a position to give her a permanent home. We have 6 dogs, 5 cats and 4 horses, my husband works offshore and is gone half the time, and I work 50+ hours a week. I take her to work with me, but she has to stay kenneled the majority of the day. Karma also has a very strong prey drive, so every day she is here, my cats are at risk. I know it is only going to take one slip up in managing her before one of my cats ends up dead. I am at a loss as to what to do. Karma is turning into a great dog, but she still needs a lot of work. I've suggested and offered to take her to obedience classes, but I can't afford it on my own. I've offered to take her to the vet for her vetting, but again, I cannot afford financially to do it on my own. I cannot in good conscience adopt out a dog that is not spayed or vaccinated, and she needs a specific type of home. She's also heartworm positive. She does great with other dogs, but needs caretakers who will earn her respect, not demand it. She was initially fear aggressive, very deep into survival mode. Touching her anywhere behind her ears was almost guaranteed to result in a bite. She was VERY defensive and on edge. She's since calmed down and will now ask for belly rubs, talk to me, let me take toys from her mouth, etc. She's still possessive over food/treats, however. She tests every new person she meets to determine if their worthy of her trust and affection. Once you're in, though....she's a mush. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of any good rescues? It's not so much that I mind fostering her (although I know I am not the ideal foster for her, it is better than the pound or living on the streets), but at this point I don't think the original rescue is even looking for options for her. I checked into the one Siberian Husky rescue here in Alabama, but they only take dogs that have been turned into the shelter. I'm not willing to turn her over to a shelter in the hopes that they will pull her. She'd revert back to her fear aggression and be euthanized immediately for being scared and defensive. I'm at a loss as to what to do with her, other than to resign myself to keeping her and her spending most of her time kenneled. She was supposed to be going to a rescue that had a behaviorist to work with her and rehabilitate her, but that never happened.

Stacy Ann, I read this last month when you posted it and thought that she sounds so much like my Sasha - just rougher. (( And I have the literal scars to prove that Sasha could be rough, too )) I'm in deep south Texas with two dogs of my own already - and at 69, I'm not ready to take on another challenge.

I do want to wish you the best of luck finding her a good home since I know too well the liability - emotional as well as physical and economic.

You might try finding out who the behaviorist is and contact him. He might have contacts to help you out. My trainer knows about everyone in our local rescue industry and has helped transport dogs into better situations several times.

Can you give the rescue an ultimatum and tell them you're done fostering the dog unless you hear from them in regards to vet care and a home soon?

This is a Siberian Husky rescue in Alabama. Are these the ones you're working with? If not, maybe give them a call and find out if they can help you?

Alabama Siberian Husky Rescue

ETA: Never mind. I just read they don't take owner surrenders or strays for legal reasons. They only pull Huskies from shelters. You might still be able to call them to ask for help on what to do, though.