This page is dedicated to Moja - the first scat detection dog trained by the Center for Conservation Biology. Moja’s ground-breaking work
proved the scat detection dog concept, opening a whole new noninvasive approach to conservation biology: Dogs rescued from animal shelters provide some of the most comprehensive sampling of ecosystems to date. Moja’s legacy has allowed our Center to build a program that now includes 18 resident conservation canines and many more detection dogs working for other programs around the world.
Moja served on the grizzly and black bear project in Alberta, Canada, and as program ambassador for many years. Moja appeared in numerous magazine and newspaper articles and was featured twice on Discover.Canada. Moja eventually retired, living happily as the beloved pet of our Center director. Sadly, Moja died of heart failure in the summer of 2006. However, his legacy lives on.
Rescue
The ideal scat detection dog is extremely energetic with an excessive play drive. They will work happily and eagerly all day long, motivated by the expectation of a ball reward given only upon sample detection. The dogs’ fixation with the ball drives them to work 4-6 hours a day in the field.
The obsessive, high-energy personalites of scat detection dogs also make difficult to maintain as family pets. A well-intended home placement often results in the dogs’ subsequent return to the shelter facing euthanasia. We rescue these dogs from the pound providing them a rewarding and satisfying career in the field of conservation research.
Alli

- Breed: Australian Cattle Dog Mix
- Sex: Female – Spayed
- Weight: 45 lbs.
- Markings: Orange
- Birthdate: 4/7/04
- Adoption Date: 10/15/05
- Rescue Location: Pack Leader Dog Training
- Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Pine Marten, Red Fox
Orion

- Breed : Labrador
- Sex : Male – Neutered
- Weight : 57 lbs
- Marking : Black
- Birthdate : 9/15/03
- Adoption Date : 10/15/06
- Rescue Location : Olympia Animal Shelter
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Jaguar
Frehley

- Breed: Border Collie
- Sex: Male – Intact
- Weight: 45 lbs.
- Markings: Black and White
- Birthdate: 4/7/04
- Adoption Date: 10/7/05
- Rescue Location : Seattle Animal Shelter
- Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Fisher
Tucker

- Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 62 lbs.
- Markings: Black with brindle
- Birthdate: 8/15/04
- Adoption Date: 5/15/06
- Rescue Location: SnoLine Kennels
- Species trained on : Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Orca
Maxwell

- Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Mix
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight : 45 lbs.
- Markings : Blue
- Birthdate : 6/19/05
- Adoption Date: 8/15/06
- Rescue Location : Everett AS, Cattle Dog Ranch
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Lulu

- Breed: Australian Shepherd
- Sex: Female – Spayed
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Markings: White & Golden
- Birthdate: 9/31/08
- Adoption Date: 3/31/08
- Owner Surrender
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Mason

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex:Male – Neutered
- Weight: 72 lbs.
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 06/18/04
- Adoption Date: 10/07/05
- Rescue Location: King County Animal Services
- Species trained on : Wolverine, Maned Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Giant Anteater, Giant Armadillo, Jaguar, Puma
Sasha

- Breed: Husky Mix
- Sex: Female – Neutered
- Weight: 40lbs
- Markings: Black & White
- Birthdate: 3/11/07
- Adoption Date: 12/11/08
- Rescue Location: WAIF
- Species trained on: Wolverine

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 8/1/06
- Adoption Date: 8/16/08
- Rescue Location: Oregon Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou
Casey

- Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Markings: White & Brown
- Birthdate: 2/1/05
- Adoption Date: 3/27/08
- Rescue Location: Kitsap Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Sampson

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 65 lbs
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 11/30/04
- Adoption Date: 6/20/08
- Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Pine Marten, Red Fox
Chester

- Breed: Retriever, Labrador
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 66lbs
- Markings: Golden
- Birthdate: 11/28/03
- Adoption Date: 12/11/08
- Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Petey

- Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Markings: White & Brown
- Birthdate: 6/1/05
- Adoption Date: 6/20/08
- Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Pepsi

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex: Female – Neutered
- Weight: 35
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 11/16/07
- Adoption Date: 12/11/08
- Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Timmy

- Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
- Sex: Male – Neutered
- Weight: 13lbs
- Markings: Tan & White Mix
- Birthdate: 11/14/03
- Adoption Date: 12/11/08
- Rescue Location: Pacific NW Jack Russell Rescue
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Haley

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex: Female – Spayed
- Weight: 43 lbs
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 4/30/04
- Adoption Date: 6/1/08
- Rescue Location: Owner Surrender
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Fisher
Shrek

- Breed: Labrador Retriever/Pitbull Mix
- Sex: Male
- Weight: 60 lbs
- Markings: Chocolate & White
- Birthdate: 5/26/04
- Adoption Date: 4/17/08
- Rescue Location: WAIF
- Species trained on: Wolverine, Mexican Wolf, Gray Wolf, Moose, Caribou
Lexi

- Breed: Labrador/Pointer
- Sex : Female – Spayed
- Weight : 40 lbs
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 8/21/07
- Adoption Date: 11/00/2008
- Rescue Location: Seattle Animal Shelter
- Species trained on: Wolverine
Sadie

- Breed: Labrador
- Sex : Female – Spayed
- Weight : 48 lbs
- Markings: Black
- Birthdate: 12/1/07
- Adoption Date: 3/21/2008
- Rescue Location: Owner Surrender
- Species trained on: Wolverine





















