Our Responsibility to the Breed

In addition to being discerning about the people we consider for puppy adoptions, we at California Karelians invest our time and resources to help any Karelian or Karelian owner in need of assistance -- from answering questions about installing an invisible fence to finding a new home for a Karelian that finds itself without a home.

Ahti's Story

We are pleased to say that Ahti has a home in Idaho now.

"Thanks for taking the initiative in contacting me and my wife when we began our search for a good home for Ahti. Without your help he would have ended up in the pound where he probably would not have found an acceptable home. If it wasn't for California Karelians, and the network that has built up around it, Ahti would be having a very tough time of it right now. As it is he is having a blast with all the space and exercise and attention he could possibly want. Thanks again."

Troy

Skyler's Story

We were pleased to inform Janet L. that Skyler traveled to California safely to meet his new mom, Dawn. California Karelians was there to greet him at the airport and help make Skyler's first day successful by introducing him to other Bear Dogs, hanging out with him and his new person, Dawn, and taking Skyler to an obedience class. A full day, indeed!

"Wow, Bill, what great news indeed. I am over-the-top delighted to know that the Karelian was safely rescued from the Everett Washington shelter, where I am sure he would never have been adopted by local people (most of whom are not qualified to own a toy poodle, let alone a Karelian). You guys did good work getting the rescue ball rolling so promptly and communicating with the shelter staff as quickly as possible. In spite of being a rare breed, this is not the first Karelian Bear Dog that I have been instrumental in saving from the Everett Animal Shelter. Although the shelter staff are great people and prefer to move any qualified dog into a rescue group, they often have no other alternative but to put dogs down simply because of lack of space.

Again, let me thank you for responding to me and following up on the Karelian from the Everett Shelter, and for rescuing the nice dog. I am thrilled."

Janet L. in Seattle, Border Collie Rescuer

Mud's Story

"I want to say THANKS first off all for your willingness to help us with Mud. As I told you on the phone tonight, he is a wonderful dog, and we enjoy him very much. I appreciate the fact that you want to help, first because you don't even know us and we did not adopt our dog from you, and second, because I know that I will learn much from you because you can tell that you truly love your dogs! ...Once again I want to thank you and Bill [Bates] from the bottom of our hearts for your willingness to help us. I am sure Mud would have found a new home if I had not found California Karelians!

Heather W., Northern Wyoming

Shelby's Story

You can’t imagine how THRILLED I was to find your website!
 
I’m attaching a photo of my sweet girl, Shelby. I was living in Charleston, SC when I found this tiny puppy tied to a street sign during a tropical storm. My friend managed to get her untied and up onto the front porch.  After a little while, she cowered her way over to me.  I picked her up and she started licking my nose. That was it; I was in love…which is crazy because I was convinced I wasn’t a pet person.

As Shelby grew, so did our confusion re: her breed. Local dog owners and dog experts guessed: Border Collie, Blue Heeler, Pointer and my personal favorite a Dalmatian /Corgi mix. For a long time I wasn’t too concerned about her particular breed. However, I’ve grown concerned re: some of her behavior, and I’ve had little luck with local dog trainers and so called “experts”. I entered “black+white+dog+loud bark” in an internet search engine and it pulled up links to Karelian Bear Dog.
 
I love Shelby and I want what is best for her and all those around her. Before her, I didn’t realize that my life was lacking anything. Now that we’ve been together for 2 years it is hard to remember life without her. Thanks for reading this email and thank you for your website.

Kathryn J., Charleston, SC