Providing Sanctuary

Since 1982, Wolf Haven has rescued more than 100 captive-born wolves, whose fate might have been death, from roadside zoos, animal collectors, private owners, research and other facilities.

Rescue efforts are coordinated by Wolf Haven with funds generated by Wolf Haven members and other supporters. Often such endeavors require months of preparation.

The following stories, originally published in our WOLF TRACKS magazine, tell all about two of our more recent rescues.

At Wolf Haven, these wolves (and a handful of wolf-dogs, coyotes and foxes) receive a lifetime of compassionate care and are treated with dignity and respect for their wild nature.

When wolves come to live at Wolf Haven, or when lone wolves are paired with a new wolf for companionship, one wolf from each pair is given either a tubal ligation or vasectomy. This is done in order to allow the wolves to participate in natural breeding behavior without contributing to captive populations of wild animals.

Before coming to live at Wolf Haven, a group of six young wolves spent the first 6 months of their lives in this cage. Wolf Haven file photo.

All seven crates containing the 'San Bernardino wolves' are carefully placed into their new home/enclosure at Wolf Haven. Photo by Julie Lawrence.

Wendy Spencer, Wolf Haven's Animal Curator, greets an elderly wolf and longtime resident named Onyx. Photo courtesy of Monty Sloan.

Male wolf being given a vasectomy at Wolf Haven. Photo by J. Palmquist. Our no-breeding policy does not hold true, however, for the Mexican wolves in our Mexican wolf facility which are bred for the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) – or Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. The Mexican gray wolves are raised with only minimal contact from our animal care staff in order to help them retain their natural fear of people. In 2003, Wolf Haven International was also accepted into the Red Wolf SSP – Red Wolf Recovery Program – as a foster facility for red wolves.

Sanctuary specifics

Each enclosure containing a wolf pair or lone wolf measures an average of 1/2 acre. Enclosures containing small packs average one acre with an adjoining separation pen. Wolf Haven currently houses one larger pack of seven individuals in a 3-acre enclosure.

The circular or kidney-shaped designs of our enclosures provide a few important advantages for the wolves: Most importantly, the rounded designs encourage continuous fluid movement, allowing the wolves to run at high speeds without having to stop at a dead end and turn around.