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 personalities of scat detection dogs also make them 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
• Birthday: 4/7/04
• Adoption Date: 10/15/05
• Rescue Location: Pack Leader Dog Training
• Species trained on: Maned Wolf, Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, American Marten, Sierra Red Fox, Pacific Pocket Mouse

Casey

• Breed: Jack Russell Terrier
• Sex: Male – Neutered
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Markings: White & Brown
• Birthday: 2/1/05
• Adoption Date: 3/27/08
• Rescue Location: Kitsap Humane
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Pacific Pocket Mouse

Chester

• Breed: Retriever, Labrador
• Sex: Male – Neutered
• Weight: 66lbs
• Markings: Golden
• Birthday: 11/28/03
• Adoption Date: 12/11/08
• Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear

Frehley

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

Haley

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

Maxwell

• Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Mix
• Sex: Male – Neutered
• Weight: 45 lbs.
• Markings: Blue
• Birthday: 6/19/05
• Adoption Date: 8/15/06
• Rescue Location: Everett AS, Cattle Dog Ranch
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Sierra Red Fox, Indochinese Tiger, Asian Leopard, Northern Spotted Owl, Barred Owl, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear, American Marten

Pepsi

• Breed: Labrador
• Sex: Female – Spayed
• Weight: 35
• Markings: Black
• Birthday: 11/16/07
• Adoption Date: 12/11/08
• Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Lynx, Cougar

Sadie

• Breed: Labrador
• Sex : Female – Spayed
• Weight : 48 lbs
• Markings: Black
• Birthday: 12/1/07
• Adoption Date: 3/21/2008
• Rescue Location: Owner Surrender
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Indochinese Tiger, Asian Leopard, Pacific Fisher, Northern Grey Wolf, Mexican Grey Wolf, Woodland Caribou, Moose, Jaguar

Sampson

• Breed: Labrador
• Sex: Male – Neutered
• Weight: 65 lbs
• Markings: Black
• Birthday: 11/30/04
• Adoption Date: 6/20/08
• Rescue Location: Seattle Humane
• Species trained on: Wolverine, American Marten, Sierra Red Fox, Pacific Pocket Mouse

Scooby

• Breed: Labrador
• Sex: Male – Neutered
• Weight: 60 lbs
• Markings: Black
• Birthday: 8/1/06
• Adoption Date: 8/16/08
• Rescue Location: Oregon Humane
• Species trained on: Wolverine, Gray Wolf, Moose, Woodland Caribou, Indochinese Tiger, Asian Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, Tapir, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear

Shrek

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

Tucker

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

See us work and play. Click the images below to see the full photo:

In the field:

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