The following is the reply from the FLA Board, favoring the proposed amendment to include wolfdogs and wolves in all canine biologicals. Comments below refer to Docket No. The Florida Lupine Association, Inc., is in favor of this proposal and we will discuss the reasons below. In the last few years, as DNA research has advanced technologically, many studies have been conducted to indicate that the genetic relationship between wolves and dogs is so close that dog does not warrant separate species status.
Dogs are gray wolves, despite their diversity in size and proportion.
Not only are we advocates for the responsible ownership of wolfdogs, but we are also involved in the rescue and placement of wolfdogs in Florida. This presents a clear threat to the well-being of other mammals in this state as Florida has a relatively high rate of rabies outbreaks. In fact, Pasco County, Florida, filed a lawsuit against Frank Furuya for failure to vaccinate his wolfdogs. Wolfdog owners are not the only ones who suffer under the erroneous belief that the lack of approval for the rabies vaccine translates to it fails to work in wolves and wolfdogs. Many veterinarians suffer the same beliefs, some suggesting that it isn t worth the expense or effort of vaccinating and some refusing to vaccinate altogether.