Silk Road Rare LGD Breed Rescue (Silk Road Rescue) is a California based (Non-Profit corporation #C4682130. Tax ID#: 86-2812641) rare giant breed rescue organization focused on rare Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds (LGDs). The idea for it was born out of the closure of the only LGD rescue group in the western U.S. actively working with LGD breeds, the now inactive Great Pyrenees Rescue of Northern California (GPRNC). Prior to 2015, the board members of GPRNC were some of the only dog rescue people in the state that knew anything about the more rare LGD breeds so had begun to be called by shelters that had these dogs come into their facilities. Shelter workers would look up a dog like a “Caucasian Mountain Dog” on YouTube and be shocked by some of the videos showing extremely aggressive dogs. In more than one case, this led to a mildly protective or reactive rare breed dog being put down. In other cases, as the dog appeared to be placable but knowing they needed the right homes, the shelters would reach out to GPRNC for help. When GPRNC became inactive, that was no longer an option.
With the growth in the Slavic immigrant population in California, as well as the rise in the interest in Livestock Guardian Dogs, has come an influx of rare breed dogs that originated along the old Silk Road and the need for a rescue dedicated to them, as well as actual working Livestock Guardian Dogs. As the rare LGD Breeds can be considered more “primitive” and less social than “traditional” western dogs and thus not as easy to work with, they have begun to show up more and more in local shelters, rescue groups and online “free” pages. People are buying these dogs without having a clue about them, their traits and peculiarities and this can lead to problems, some serious. Most of these dogs, while of breeds that are used for protecting livestock, are usually not working dogs but pets that have developed behavioral issues, or were owned by people not prepared for their behaviors or size.
The founders of Silk Road Rescue began taking in these particular breeds of dogs in 2015 and their goal is to educate the public about these dogs, to keep these dogs out of the homes of people that are not ready for them, to try and keep the breeds out of shelters and other potentially dangerous situations, and to rehabilitate and find homes whenever possible for those that need it.
Silk Road Rare Livestock Guardian Dog Breed Rescue does not import dogs as there are already too many in North America needing help, nor do we support any breeding program that is not by ethical breeders looking to conserve and advance the breed, which unfortunately isn’t a common thing in these breeds. Ethical breeders are needed to conserve breeds for the future, backyard/farmyard puppy producers do nothing but contribute to the rescue problem. Please do your homework not only on the breeds you are interested but also in ANYONE you are looking to get a young dog from, whether its a rescue or breeder.
We are losing our facility to foreclosure and it is up for sale so we have had to close the rescue portion of the operation. Please go to www.SilkRoadGiving.org to help us find a piece of land to move the Sanctuary crew to. ALL donations go to help the dogs. Currently there is also still a need for dog food, dog biscuits and help with vet costs for Siranoush the “Wee Floof”
You can help in several ways, click here for details
