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Adoption is when someone takes an old or injured dog from us and looks after them in their own home. Sponsorship is when someone supports the cost of keeping a dog on the farm - whether a retired or sick dog that can't earn its keep but wouldn't enjoy a new home, or a dog that loves running and living here and has become a favourite of a visitor or guide. Sponsorship is available at various levels, so anyone who wants to contribute towards a dog's upkeep or care can do so. Our partners tend to be companies that provide ongoing support towards the major costs of running the farm.
- Adoption: take an old or injured dog into your own home
- Sponsorship: support a dog's upkeep in situ at the farm, available at various levels
- Sponsorship suits most overseas supporters as it avoids complex export paperwork
Sponsorship vs adoption
For most people - particularly those living outside Finland - sponsorship is more viable than adoption, since the inoculations and paperwork needed to send a dog overseas are complicated, expensive and time-consuming. That said, if you are keen to adopt a husky, please don't be put off.
Dogs in need of sponsorship
Dogs in real need of sponsorship tend to be old or injured dogs that can no longer earn their keep and weren't born here or well socialised when young. Most wouldn't enjoy a new home - they are either too shy to live indoors with humans, or very much outdoor pack animals - so they need to be cared for through sickness and retirement in situ at the farm.
Dogs put up for adoption
Dogs put up for adoption are generally happy, well socialised dogs that respond well to living indoors and being loved by people. They will be more or less house trained and respond to basic obedience commands. Some are ready for graceful retirement and need a tranquil home. Many kennels 'get rid of' their old dogs as soon as they start to slow down, which can be as early as age 6; we let dogs run as long as they want to, so we still have some running at age 11 and 12 - though if the perfect home came along, we would happily retire a dog earlier. Other, younger dogs may have an injury that rules out working life but would still make a totally loving dog in a normal household. Still others may not suit the high arctic but would be happy to skijor and mush with you for fun.
Adopt Me PleaseMeet the dogs currently looking for forever homes - oldies ready for a sofa, shy dogs needing patience, and special-needs dogs for experienced handlers.
Adoption QuestionnaireA set of honest questions to help you and your family decide whether you are ready to give one of our huskies a forever home.
Sponsor Me PleaseExample dogs from each category who would love extra help - retired oldies and hard-working sled dogs whose care costs more than most.
Sponsorship OptionsA range of sponsorship levels - from a one-off donation to gold-level annual support of a working husky - all going straight back into the farm and dogs.
Sponsorship StatusProfiled sponsors and their happy mutts - the working dogs, retirees and puppies currently sponsored, and the people behind them.Summer FosteringA few privileged dogs spend their winters with us and their summers with foster families - extra sofa time the dogs seldom turn down.
Travelling with a DogPractical guidance on the inoculations, paperwork and transport options for adopters bringing one of our dogs home, whether within Scandinavia or overseas.
Why We Offer ThisThe philosophy of care behind our adoption and sponsorship schemes: we don't put down healthy, happy dogs simply because they can no longer work.