LACEY – A bonded pair of wolfdogs – Balto and Coyote – will now call Popcorn Park Animal Refuge home.
Wolfdogs have an appearance similar to a husky, and their exotic parentage makes them sought after by dog lovers, but they are more like their wild kin than their domestic side.
Refuge officials said that they don’t seek affection like a dog, and require specialized care, space, and enrichment. Owners don’t understand these challenges and will sometimes abandon or give them up when they realize they cannot meet the animals’ needs.
They were brought to Popcorn Park with the help of a rescue partner in western North Carolina. At the Refuge, they will now receive expert veterinary care, species-appropriate diets, and enrichment designed to support their natural behaviors.
Park officials are heralding the pair as the first animals with wolf heritage since the 1980s.
“Welcoming Balto and Coyote is especially meaningful, as it’s been more than 30 years since we’ve had wolf-heritage animals at the Refuge. Their story is an important reminder that animals like these are often bred without a full understanding of their complexity and needs. We’re proud to provide them with the specialized care, space, and lifelong home they deserve,” said Cory Scott, director of Popcorn Park Animal Refuge.
Balto is described as “a confident and striking male with vivid orange eyes and a thick, beautiful coat.” He has quickly made himself at home, exploring his outdoor space and settling into his new environment. “Coyote is more reserved but equally captivating, with soft features, a cautious nature, and a curiosity that continues to grow as she becomes more comfortable in her surroundings.”
Animal lovers looking to help support Balto, Coyote, and the more than 200 animals who call Popcorn Park home are urged to make a donation or sponsor an animal through the Wildlife Club. To learn more, visit AHSCares.org.
