Meet Jar'i

Jar'i's Story

Jar'i (or J. Gerbert, as we affectionately call him) and Leila are two of our very first rescues, and their story is as unique as they are. Their names reflect their nature— Jar'i's name means “brave” in Arabic, while Leila’s full name, Jila, means “beautiful.”

We first learned about them while living in Bulgaria when a friend of a friend reached out about four wild puppies living in her yard. Every time she tried to touch them, they would bite—tiny but fierce. When we stepped in, we quickly realized why: these weren’t just any puppies—they were European jackal hybrids.

European jackals are wild canines, similar to coyotes in the U.S. or dingoes in Australia. In Bulgaria, jackals often breed with unspayed domestic dogs, leading to these remarkable hybrids. Because they are not fully domestic, we do not rehome hybrids, ensuring they have a safe and stable life here at the sanctuary.

Jar'i was always the bravest of the litter, living up to his name. Over the years, he has become quite friendly and even approaches volunteers for a sniff once he trusts them. Leila, on the other hand, is still very shy and independent, embodying more of her jackal instincts. She prefers to keep her distance from humans, finding comfort in her own space.

Now about five and a half years old, Jar'i and Leila are permanent residents of our sanctuary. Their wild spirits remind us daily of the delicate balance between the natural and human worlds.

By sponsoring Jar'i and Leila, you help provide them with the care, space, and respect they need to live out their lives in peace and safety.