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Wolf / Dog Education Network

Our mission is to educate the public regarding the behavior and needs of wolves, wolf-dog crosses (commonly known as wolf-hybrids), and dogs for promotion of responsible breeding, responsible ownership, and appropriate legislation.

The Wolf / Dog Education Network represents dog owners, wolfdog owners, and other interested people in the state of Colorado for this legislative action (see the Colorado Legislative Alert page for more info).

We are stressing responsible breeding and responsible ownership of all dogs as well. Our main goal right now is to represent people in CO that have no voice (especially wolfdog owners). We are a grassroots organization and are using our own money for educational efforts. Eventually (when this legislation issue is resolved) we will become an official non-profit.

Membership Requirements and Policies:

• All concerned citizens are invited to be members.
  
• NO OWNERSHIP of a wolf, wolf-dog cross (commonly known as wolf-hybrids) or dog is required.
  
• All membership information is to be kept strictly confidential.

Goals:

• Seeking fair non-breed specific legislation
  
• Responsible breeding of all canines
  
• Responsible ownership of all canines
  
• Education on behaviors and needs of wolves, wolf-dog crosses (commonly known as wolf-hybrids), and dogs.

Some methods discussed to achieve goals:

• Participation in legislative study and hearings
  
• Seminars and lectures
  
• Creating animal behavior software programs
  
• Seeking trainers experienced with wolves, wolf-dog crosses (commonly known as wolf-hybrids), and dogs to train potential and current owners
  
• Document POSITIVE based training techniques and POSITIVE Praise needs

Meeting held 6/16/97 at 7:30 pm Lakewood, CO

The meeting was chaired by two vets from the DOA Dr. Roehr and Dr. Molsby (sp?). They first gave an introduction to the purpose of the meeting which was that wolf hybrid owners and breeders were there to pick four of their number to sit on the committee. They made it clear that they would have nothing to do with the selection (and left the room when we were choosing the four people). There were only about 10 people there, out of over 30 contacted about the meeting. They said the DOA is open minded and neutral about the study. We went over the bill (SB167) in detail. It became clear that the study committee is advisory only, even if they advise that no legislation is called for, the senate is free to make legislation anyway. The advisory group will consist of the following:

Commissioner of Ag. Thomas Kourlis (or someone he designates)
1 vet- in this case Dr. Chris Fator has been chosen
1 Dept. of Wildlife representative
2 wolf refuge workers-I have been informed that these will be Pat Wendland of WOLF and Elizabeth Carmen
2 people from animal welfare agencies
2 people from the DOA
2 people representing environmental groups- Suzanne Core will be one of these
1 feline hybrid breeder
4 wolf hybrid breeders or owners- these will be Jim Redmond and Mark Johnson representing owners, Jim Wilcox representing breeder/owners, and Stephanie Porter with the Wolf / Dog Education Network, representing owners and breeders of all canines in Colorado. There will also be several alternates in case members can't make a meeting.

ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. There will be time at the end of each meeting for the public to have their say ! This is important and everyone in CO should try to go to as many of these as possible.

Please contact the Wolf / Dog Education Network at the addresses below for more information about the meetings and a timetable of when they are held:

Remember even if the committee does not recommend legislation, this is NO guarantee that there will be no ban attempt here. The more people at the meetings, the better. If you want your voice heard, contact us at the numbers above. Get involved!

Read Dr. Porter's Letter to Senators Read Jim Redmond's Open Letter

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