Santa Cruz and Monterey County animal shelters believe the increase in huskies is impulsive purchasing from people buying dogs that look like dire wolves from "Game of Thrones. " Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said they’ve seen a record number of huskies.

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NEW AT 11.. AN EPIDEMIC OF HOMELESS HUSKIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.. ANIMAL SHELTERS SAY THEY'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE DOGS RECENTLY.. AND IT'S NOW MAD IT'S WAY TO THE CENTRAL COAST. WITH MORE ON WHY, WE GO TO ACTION NEWS REPORTER CHRISTOPHER SALAS LIVE AT THE SANTA CRUZ ANIMAL SHELTER.## ERIN BELIEVE IT OR NOT. THE REASON PEOPLE ARE GETTING THESE DOGS AS IMPULSE BUYS..... THEY LOOK SO MUCH LIKE DIREWOLVES FROM THE TV SHOW GAME OF THRONE IF YOU'RE A FAN OF GAME OF THRONES.. YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE DIREWOLF.. THE POPULARITY OF THE CREATURE IN TH FANTASY WORLD.. CREATI CONSEQUENCES IN THE REAL-WORLD. 00:01 "Hi I'm Jerome Flynn from Peta. You may also know me as Bronn from Game of thrones. 00:16 More and more huskies are being breed and born because of their resemblance to direwolves." THAT SURGE IN BREEDING.. HAS ALSO LED TO A SURGE IN ABANDONMENTS .. Melanie Sobel Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter 2083511 00:23 "A lot o huskies and husky mixes have been coming in." ANIMAL SHELTERS IN BOTH MONTEREY AN SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES ARE REPORTING A MASSIVE INCREASE IN TH NUMBER OF HUSKIES. 01:14 "The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter says they have 6 huskies right now and that's the most they've ever had and it's happening all over the state with similar stories. Take Dakota for example, she's a year old. Most people buy these dogs as puppies because they'r beautiful, but they don't understand the maintenance required to take care of them as the get older." 00:39 "They need a lot of exercize they need a lot of stimulation, they like to roam so being sequestered to a backyard is not a go life for them." THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN POP- CULTURE IMPA SHELTERS.. "chihuahuas when Paris Hilton had in her bag chihuahuas. When 101 Dalmations came out I feel there was a increase in dalmations." nat of barks BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING TO HUSKIES A RISE IN SURRENDERS.. MEANS MORE EUTHANIZATIONS.. IT'S WHY MELANIE SAYS WHEN ADDING FOUR-LEGGED MEMBER TO YOUR FAMILY.. YOU SHOULD KNOW SOMETHING.. UNLIKE JON SNOW. 01:15 "we always tell people no matter what kind of dog you get you should make sure you research the breed, and make sure it's a good match for your lifesty and what you want from a dog." NOW JUNE IS A GOOD MONTH IF YOU DO OWN THE BREED. THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER IS OFFERING FREE SPAY NEUTER OR MICROCHI FOR YOUR HUSKY OR HUSKY MIXES. REPORTING IN SC IM CS KSBW ACTION NEWS 8.

Advertisement Huskies are coming: Rise in huskies at local shelters blamed on impulsive 'Game of Thrones' fans Santa Cruz and Monterey County animal shelters believe the increase in huskies is impulsive purchasing from people buying dogs that look like dire wolves from "Game of Thrones." Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said they’ve seen a record number of huskies. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Monterey and Santa Cruz County animal shelters said they're seeing an increase in huskies recently and they believe it's because of the popular TV show "Game of Thrones.""A lot of huskies and husky mixes have been coming in," Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter General Manager Melanie Sobel said.She said they have six husky or husky mixed dogs and that's the most they've ever seen at one time.There has been an increase in huskies seen in shelters around the state and country. Many are speculating it's because huskies look like dire wolves from the popular show "Game of Thrones." The show has noticed the uptick and is speaking out against the impulsive purchases of the dogs.In April, Jerome Flynn, who plays Bronn in the series, did a video with PETA where he said in part, "Animal Shelters around are reporting a surge in the number of abandoned huskies because the casual acquirer, who bought the dogs on a whim, fail to take into consideration the time, patience, and money required to care for the animal."Sobel said the type of huskies they are seeing are 1 to 2 years old. She said people most likely buy them as puppies and can't keep up with their lifestyle demands as they get older."They need a lot of exercise, they need a lot of stimulation," Sobel said. "They like to roam so being sequestered to a backyard is not a good life for them."Sobel said it's vital to put the time in to make sure you know what kind of dog you're getting before you add them to your family."We always tell people no matter what kind of dog you get you should make sure you research the breed," Sobel said. "Make sure it's a good match for your lifestyle and what you want from a dog."During the month of June, The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is offering free spay, neuter, and microchips for your husky or husky mixed dogs.