The True Meaning of "Forever Home"

By Emily Evans, Communications Manager

Published in Wolf Tracks vol. 40, no. IV

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Each time we agree to rescue and care for a wolf, wolfdog, or coyote at Wolf Haven, we are becoming that animals’ final and forever home. For those who come to us in their golden years, we may only get to know them for a matter of months, while others spend over a decade in our care. Regardless of how long or short their time with us may be, we are committed to filling each of their days with respect, honor, and dignity.

When the time comes for a resident to move on from this life and into the next, we keep our promise of a forever home. With the exception of the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) wolves who belong to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)*, every animal who passes at Wolf Haven is buried in our wolf cemetery. They are often laid to rest beside their lifelong sanctuary companion, or their family members, where they can once again relax together under the shade of the trees and be at total peace.

On a cool, crisp morning this past October, Wolf Haven’s staff gathered to celebrate a day of remembrance for the animals we have lost and to honor them by cleaning up their grave sites. Over the course of several hours, we pulled encroaching weeds, filled in missing rocks to outline the graves, and scrubbed moss and mildew from headstones. Each grave that we transformed gave us a moment to connect, and reflect, on the animals our sanctuary has helped in the past 40 years.

Over 325 wolves, wolfdogs, coyotes, and even a few foxes have passed through our gates and found forever at Wolf Haven. It is an honor to care for them in life, and in death, where they are eternally covered in spring flowers and surrounded by the beautiful prairie. We hope you will join us in remembering their lives the next time you pass through the cemetery on your way to the Grandfather Tree. We know their spirits live on in us, and in you, as we continue to work together to build a better world for wolves.

*When a SAFE wolf passes away, their remains are sent to their respective USFWS recovery program. However, we still honor each American Red wolf and Mexican wolf with a memorial plaque in our wolf cemetery.