Game Of Thrones and Twilight films blamed for huge rise in number of huskies being abandoned

Wolf-like dogs are in fashion thanks to fantasy TV show and vampire drama

But huskies require a lot of care and record numbers are being abandoned

There has been a 700 per cent jump in the number of huskies being ditched

With their fluffy white paws and big black eyes gazing lovingly into the camera, it’s hard to believe these puppies are struggling to find an owner willing to take care of them.



The huskies were born in a rescue centre after their pregnant mother had been turned out onto the street.



She is one of many ‘wolf breed’ dogs abandoned recently in a spate that has been blamed on cult TV series Game of Thrones.



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Adorable: Fantasy TV shows such as Game of Thrones have been blamed for a massive increase in the number of huskies being abandoned, like this litter at a Blue Cross rescue centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Winter is coming: 'Dire wolves' are the animal companions of the Stark family in the hit fantasy show Game Of Thrones, which features Kit Harrington as Jon Stark

Fans of the show, which has featured ‘direwolves’ played by Northern Inuit dogs, are thought to have rushed to buy similar breeds because of their beautiful looks – without thinking through the practicalities of owning such large, energetic pets.



Named Taboo, Taco, Tacona, Taloola, Tasha and Taz, the six husky puppies are part of a litter of nine – seven girls and two boys. Their mother, Tala, gave birth to them six weeks ago at the Blue Cross centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, after being found pregnant, hungry and wandering the streets.



Hit: The popularity of the Twilight films, which features werewolves, is believed to be a factor in the rise of wolf-like dogs being abandoned by owners unable to care for the demanding animals

The mother of these puppies was kicked out of her home while she was pregnant. Happily, offers to care for them are now flooding in

The mother was found abandoned in the Thirsk area by a warden and was taken into the centre three weeks before she gave birth to her litter

Tala is thought to have been dumped by her owners when they realised they were about to have a whole pack of huskies to feed and look after.

Staff at the centre are looking for kind-hearted and responsible members of the public to give the puppies the homes they so desperately need.



A Blue Cross spokeswoman said: 'People don’t realise they need to be looked after properly. They are bred as working dogs in cold countries'

Blue Cross, which cares for ill and abandoned pets, said the number of huskies and similar breeds taken to its 12 rehoming centres across the UK had increased by 700 per cent over the past five years.

Animal charity Dogs Trust has a total of 34 Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies at its 19 rehoming centres.

Lynn Barber, its head of training and behaviour, said yesterday: ‘These dogs are beautiful creatures and can make wonderful companions, but they need owners who understand the demands of this breed and are in a position to offer a lifetime commitment.’

If you can provide a home for one of the huskies in the picture, please phone the Blue Cross centre in Thirsk on 0300 777 1540.