{"id":3126,"date":"2024-08-22T11:18:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T08:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uanimals.org\/media\/?p=3126"},"modified":"2024-08-26T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T12:00:00","slug":"rescue-don-t-buy-the-story-of-vika-horchuk-owner-of-the-bark-camp-dog-hotel-and-her-perspective-on-mixed-breed-dogs-and-their-caretakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uanimals.org\/media\/en\/interviu-en\/rescue-don-t-buy-the-story-of-vika-horchuk-owner-of-the-bark-camp-dog-hotel-and-her-perspective-on-mixed-breed-dogs-and-their-caretakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Rescue, Don\u2019t Buy: The Story of Vika Horchuk, Owner of the Bark Camp Dog Hotel, and Her Perspective on Mixed-Breed Dogs and Their Caretakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Vika Horchuk, a Kyiv resident, had no connection to dogs until 2011 when she got her first dog\u2014a Yorkshire Terrier named Dream. Why a Yorkie? Vika traveled extensively and was looking for a small dog that could accompany her in the airplane cabin. However, Dream grew larger than expected, exceeding all permissible limits for carry-on baggage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Initially, Vika searched for places to leave the sizable Dream while she traveled. Later, she added a Bobtail named Summer and a small mixed-breed dog named Blue Moon to her family. The question of where to leave her pets took on three dimensions. So, in 2019, Vika opened her own dog hotel, with Blue Moon as the symbol on its logo and business cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

The hotel founder had rescued Blue Moon from negligent owners. But let Vika tell the story herself.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/span>I took Moon on my birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t get Moon from a shelter but from very poor conditions. I came across an online ad selling a puppy. When I saw the little one and the background of where she was sitting… It was a dreadful floor, like in a barn, with concrete everywhere. I thought to myself: I must take her away from there, no matter what. I had been considering whether I could care for another dog and how Dream would feel about it. But when I saw that puppy, I immediately decided she was mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I arrived to meet her, they didn\u2019t even let me inside to see where the dog lived. I took her and brought her to a clinic: she was covered in fleas, bitten, with no vaccinations. She had to go into quarantine for inpatient treatment. There, they bathed her, treated her, vaccinated her, and sterilized her.<\/span><\/p>\n

In English, there\u2019s a phrase “once in a blue moon”\u2014something that happens very rarely. That\u2019s why I named her Blue Moon. She\u2019s unique! Every mixed-breed dog is unique by nature.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″]\n

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Moon on the day Vika rescued her<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Vika and Moon<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Vika and Summer<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Vika and 13-year-old Dream<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>In your experience, are mixed-breeds smart dogs, or are they hard to train?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>Oh, they\u2019re very smart! But it\u2019s important to understand that all dogs are different\u2014much depends on their life experiences and the conditions they have experienced. Dream is smart, Summer is smart, but Moon is a super trickster! She learns very quickly and often invents her own games.<\/span><\/p>\n

She knows that when I bring home a grocery bag, she\u2019s not supposed to get into it. But Moon tries to outsmart me: she tosses a ball into the bag and then peeks inside. I say, “Moon! No.”<\/em> And she looks at me like, “But my toy\u2019s in there!”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The mixed-breed dogs that have stayed at our hotel are all super cool too. Sometimes they\u2019re more fearful than purebred dogs. However, once they realize they\u2019re safe, they turn out to be very inventive and friendly animals. I adore them.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]\n

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Being safe is a basic need not just for people but also for animals<\/p>\n

UAnimals rescues dogs and cats from dangerous areas near the frontline. Your support will help save more lives from the war.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Support UAnimals<\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n [vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>What challenges can arise if someone adopts a dog from a shelter or the streets? Can you tell me about your experience?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>When we got home with Moon, all hell broke loose\u2026 Moon peed on the bed. I changed the sheets three times a day. Over time, I trained Moon to use a pee pad: she got treats as positive reinforcement. Moon figured out that when she went on the pad, she got a treat, so she started peeing there just a little at a time. Now, she goes for walks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moon is still afraid of feet. I lie in bed with my legs under the blanket. If Moon notices my foot move, she runs to another part of the apartment or to her bed. I never hit her. Maybe she was beaten where I got her from.<\/span><\/p>\n

She is also wary of strangers. If someone is coming to visit, they must first meet Moon outside. The person plays with her a bit, and then they come in. The rule is: don\u2019t touch Moon, and don\u2019t pay her any attention until she approaches you on her own.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>What else should you prepare for when adopting a shelter dog?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>You need to be financially prepared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, you will have to spend money on dog food. For my three dogs, the monthly cost of food is about 10,000 UAH. How much you will spend depends on the dog\u2019s weight and the quality of the food. And this quality directly impacts the dog\u2019s health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Secondly, you will also need to budget for flea, tick, and deworming treatments, which are necessary year-round. Your dog will need basic vaccinations, and there are additional ones to consider, like the kennel cough vaccine. Puppies and dogs with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable, so vaccination is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sessions with a dog trainer and veterinary services can be quite costly. I take my dogs for a check-up at the clinic every six months. I also get their teeth cleaned. There are also expenses for leashes, toys, bowls, and potentially replacing items that might get damaged at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be prepared for the fact that your dog may not be able to stay alone at first. They need to be gradually accustomed to being by themselves. It\u2019s important not to create a situation where the dog is used to always having you around and then suddenly being left alone in a house or apartment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dogs adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic or at the start of the full-scale war were constantly with their owners. Then, when people returned to work at some point, these dogs couldn\u2019t handle being home alone. They develop what is referred to as separation anxiety. Such dogs begin to spoil furniture or howl, which is their way of releasing stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of whether you\u2019re considering a mixed-breed or a purebred dog, you need to ask yourself: am I prepared, no matter what happens, to be there for this dog? <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We all want healthy pets, just as we want healthy children, for example. However, in life, anything can happen. Accidents and traumas may occur. You\u2019ll need patience, time, and the willingness to care for the animal. However, all these challenges are outweighed by the emotions\u2014the loyal eyes, the moments when you come home, and the dogs jump around to greet you\u2026 Or when you open your eyes in the morning, and the dogs are right there, “Hey, human, scratch me!”<\/em> These emotions are 100% worth all the effort. But it\u2019s crucial to be honest with yourself about whether you\u2019re ready for the difficulties.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>Do people bring mixed-breed dogs to your hotel?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>Yes, many do. And it\u2019s encouraging to see that more people are adopting shelter dogs and getting non-purebred pets. Currently, we have Hovy (short for Hoverla), Mila, Motya, and Lando\u2014all mixed breeds. Each dog is unique; there\u2019s no other like them in the world. By the way, mixed-breed dogs are incredibly charming. We have a white mixed-breed named Teddy who visits from time to time. We\u2019ve often been asked what breed this amazing dog is!<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]\n

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Guests of Bark Camp<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Guests of Bark Camp<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Hoverla, a guest at Bark Camp<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n [vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>Please, tell us about the caretakers. What motivates them to adopt dogs from shelters?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>The people I know through my work are very responsible and involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes people adopt a purebred dog because it\u2019s “cute and adorable.” They aren\u2019t always as involved. For example, one purebred dog at home ate a plastic bag. We noticed this during a walk when cleaning up after the dog and informed its caretakers. They said, “That\u2019s normal; it\u2019s a Beagle!”<\/em> Yes, Beagles are active, but that behavior isn\u2019t normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before caretakers leave a dog with us, we have a conversation, and they fill out a questionnaire. From the caretakers of mixed-breed dogs, we often receive much more information about the dog\u2019s likes, dislikes, fears, and triggers than from the owners of purebreds.<\/span><\/p>\n

People who adopt shelter dogs follow the principle of “don\u2019t buy, rescue.” However, rescuing must also be done responsibly.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>Do you think the situation has changed after 2022?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>If we compare the number of mixed-breed dogs in our hotel before the full-scale war and now, there are definitely more now. Before the war, most of the mixed-breed dogs we saw belonged to foreigners or were brought in by IT professionals or people for whom rescuing animals is a core value. There are still many dogs in shelters, but it\u2019s heartening to see that more of them are being adopted.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 Have you ever come across cases when people abandoned their dogs?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>Throughout my time working with dogs, I have encountered three instances of dogs being abandoned. Twice, dogs were simply left with us, and incidentally, they were purebred. On one occasion, we discovered through their caretakers\u2019 social media that they had abandoned a mixed-breed dog. We found new homes for these dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the Kakhovka Reservoir dam was destroyed, we assisted a shelter in the Kyiv region. At that time, people approached us with requests like, “We want to adopt a dog, but it has to be from Kherson.”<\/em> When we suggested other dogs available at the shelter, they insisted, “No, we want that one.”<\/em> This isn’t a very considerate approach. Why do you want a dog? To say you\u2019re a hero because you saved a dog from that specific place?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You would be just as much of a hero if you adopted any dog that has been in a shelter for three, five, or even seven years\u2026<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>The war has also displaced many people. Having animals complicates the process, so UAnimals rescuers often have to rehome abandoned dogs in shelters.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>How can anyone abandon a family member, whether it’s a mixed-breed or a purebred dog? Sometimes people say, “We\u2019re leaving and can\u2019t take the dog; it\u2019s too difficult.”<\/em> Yes, it\u2019s difficult! But it\u2019s possible. I\u2019ve traveled abroad and returned with my three dogs. You\u2019re not moving to Mars! It\u2019s good when people at least reach out to volunteers rather than just tying the dog to a tree in the woods (unfortunately, that happens too).<\/span><\/p>\n

We still have many people who believe it\u2019s normal for a dog to live in a kennel on a meter-long chain. Absolutely not! Or that it\u2019s okay to feed dogs table scraps because “that\u2019s what they do in the village, and the dogs are fine.”<\/em> No, it\u2019s not fine! They don\u2019t have a choice.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I don\u2019t have any issues with dogs; my issues are always with people. Yes, a dog can destroy things or be aggressive; they can be challenging. But you can work on a dog\u2019s behavior, and if the caretaker is fully committed to training the dog, it\u2019s likely to be successful.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u2014 <\/b>Taking care of a dog is quite an undertaking. What is the point of so much effort?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2014 <\/span>It\u2019s what keeps you from completely going crazy, even when you\u2019re at your limit. No matter how I feel, the dog needs to be walked. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn\u2019t adopted Moon. There are times when I\u2019m in a terrible mood, everyone has gotten on my nerves\u2026 But then the dog licks me, kisses me, or Moon throws her little crocodile toy onto my laptop\u2026 These are just genuine emotions that keep you going.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]I know of a case where a woman gave up her dog because she got a new boyfriend, and they didn\u2019t get along. It\u2019s sad because the dog was already part of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for me, I have it written right on my Tinder profile, “If you\u2019re not ready to sleep in bed with dogs, swipe left.”<\/em><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2264″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https:\/\/uanimals.org\/how-to-help\/”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Vika Horchuk, a Kyiv resident, had no connection to dogs until 2011 when she got her first dog\u2014a Yorkshire Terrier named Dream. Why a Yorkie? Vika traveled extensively and was looking for a small dog that could accompany her in the airplane cabin. However, Dream grew larger than expected, exceeding all permissible limits for carry-on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[96,61,98,94,64,66],"topic":[30],"class_list":["post-3126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviu-en","tag-dogs","tag-kyivshchyna-en","tag-shelter","tag-bezprytulni-en","tag-prytulok-en","tag-sobaky-en","topic-dosvidcheni-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRescue, Don\u2019t Buy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you are contemplating whether to adopt a mixed-breed dog from a shelter or take in a stray, this article is for you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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