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Q: How long have you been with W.O.L.F. Sanctuary?
A: I have been with W.O.L.F. Sanctuary since December of 2020. I was walking out of the annual Gala and noticed that the Executive Director, Dr. Shelley Coldiron, was on her way out to her car as well. I took the opportunity to talk with Shelley and told her I wanted to volunteer at W.O.L.F and wanted to know how I could best help. After a brief time and a couple of conversations later, Shelley contacted me and asked if I would be willing to be the project manager for getting the Red Feather Lakes facility built out and prepared to move the animals. The rest is history!
Q: What makes W.O.L.F. such a special place to you?
A: W.O.L.F. is special to me because of the beautiful souls in our care. I felt an immediate connection with W.O.L.F. the first time I met the animals while they were at Rist Canyon, and I knew I wanted to be involved. What makes W.O.L.F. different and special is that we can see each animal’s personality and accommodate their care based on their individual wants and needs. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing these animals thrive, come out of their shells, and live their best lives. I truly adore these animals and spend a lot of my waking hours thinking of ways to enrich their lives while they are in our care. W.O.L.F. has provided me with this opportunity that few people will ever be able to experience.
Q: What has been your experience with the animals, and what has it meant to you?
A: I have had the unique opportunity to be the project manager for designing and building their new homes at Red Feather Lakes. It was my honor to implement Shelley's vision for Red Feather. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I still get choked up remembering what it was like to work with Dr. Teva Stone, Shelley, and Keith Laposh (along with W.O.L.F. staff) to transport them to their new home and release them into their new habitats. It was so rewarding to see how happy they all were and to watch them experience their new homes that we personally selected for them. I will never forget any of their reactions, but Tundra and Trigger’s were especially emotional for me. Tundra had been coping with Addison’s disease, and her mobility was limited. When she was released into her new habitat with her companion Trigger, she walked around and around her habitat, sitting occasionally to rest. Trigger was by her side the whole time. It was so touching and so amazing to see them both so happy. I have to say that being able to interact with these beautiful animals and be a part of making their lives happy and healthy has brought so much to my life. It is truly amazing to have the opportunity to interact with them and care for them.
Q: Why do you feel the work we do is important?
A: The work we do is essential on several levels. First and foremost, the first aspect of W.O.L.F.’s mission is to provide sanctuary for these animals that have come to us through various circumstances, all of them heartbreaking. They were put in difficult circumstances by no fault of their own, and they deserve the chance to have a good life free from cruelty, neglect, etc. When they are at W.O.L.F., they are safe for the rest of their lives. We provide them with the best veterinary care, nutrition, enrichment, etc. The second aspect of W.O.L.F.’s mission is rescue. Since this is an unregulated industry and there is such a gap in the understanding and knowledge of these animals, many that are born are doomed to either have a life of abuse and/or neglect or face euthanasia. Keith Laposh and Bob Grove have been instrumental in working with the network of rescue organizations that give these beautiful animals a chance at a good life. The third prong of W.O.L.F’s mission is education. W.O.L.F. is instrumental in shining a light on the plight of these animals. While W.O.L.F. is not directly involved in the wolf reintroduction program and does not provide sanctuary to wild wolves, we do provide information and education about these animals.
Q: Why should others support W.O.L.F. this Colorado Gives Day, our biggest fundraiser of the year?
A: The work that W.O.L.F. does makes a big difference on so many levels. We need consistent funding through donations to continue providing the animals we care for with the best lives possible. The need is constant, and, as with most non-profits, donations are down, making it difficult to obtain consistent funding. Additionally, W.O.L.F. is not eligible for many of the grants available to other organizations in the animal welfare space because we are not an organization caring for wild animals or companion animals. Being outside these "categories" disqualifies W.O.L.F. from funds potentially available to other organizations. We truly rely on donations and individual's generous support. The work we do never stops and never takes a rest. Please consider supporting us during this time.
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