Want to Meet a Wolf? Our Visit to St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary

by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁸⁸⁾ Blue Star

Wolves in the US are an endangered species. Some people are of the opinion they should be killed on sight; eliminated from our world as their food supply is a rancher's livelihood. Others see their purpose and desire to see them protected rather than aggressively hunted. I can understand both sides of the debate, but if there is one creature that should be eliminated, it wouldn't be the wolf. It would be the mosquito!

Wolf sanctuaries have sprung up around the US and have become popular in part from documentaries produced about wolves. From Jim Dutcher's activity to reintroduce the wolf into the wild to Animal Planet's short lived series Living With the Wolfman, emotions and imaginations have been tickled enough capture the hearts of a large number of the population, mine included.

I love my dogs and my husband has been fascinated with wolves since before it was a popular thing. So when we heard there was a wolf sanctuary just about an hour north of our home, we were anxious to find out more about what they do. We called and made plans to visit the next Saturday morning.

We went to the owner's front door not quite sure what to expect. She greeted us warmly and introduced us to the volunteers who come up each day to feed and take care of the wolves. As they were putting on their boots, ( you can imagine it gets messy) they told us the stories of the wolves.

In most US states, it is illegal to keep a wolf without special permits. A lot of people think it would be cool to own a wolf thinking it won't be any different than a dog. They are shocked as that little wolf pup grows into a wild animal who chews, digs, howls and does all the things that God created it to do. Some look for a rescue to take the animal, some tie it outside and hope it escapes and some just abandon it without another thought.

Those at the St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary just north of Houston, Texas told us of a wolf in their care that had been shot and left for dead and rescued wolves that didn't know how to survive in the wild. A couple of the animals living there are wolf dogs, the result of breeding a wolf with a domesticated dog, still too wild to be kept as a dog. We saw before and after pictures of some of the wolves, all now healthy and happy in their permanent home.

Each morning volunteers assist Jean, the owner, in feeding, watering, examining and cleaning up after each wolf. They enter the chain link enclosures, each imbedded about 5 feet into the ground and begin their duties. There are two wolves in each enclosure which has a man made shelter and much space to roam. Many of the wolves approach for a belly rub and some human interaction.

The first time we visited, after the wolves daily needs had been provided, we were invited into Koa's enclosure to meet him. We were warned not to bend down unless we wanted many sloppy wolf kisses. My husband obliged Koa, while I was content to watch. Koa is like a teddy bear, at the time, probably the most doglike of the group. It was an amazing thing to interact with those beautiful creatures. We were introduced to Dutchess, a white wolf who preferred men over women and stood at the fence pretty much the same height as my six foot husband as he reached through and scratched her ears.

We were then allowed into another enclosure and instructed to sit on one of the logs and wait. Pretty soon two wolves were circling us. As minutes passed, they came closer until they nudged us to pet them. Jean told us they will never forget our scent. It truly was an awesome experience. I will never forget it.

At our last visit, just after Hurricane Ike, one enclosure had deep burrows. The wolves had started burrowing days before the Hurricane hit. It is amazing the changes in the air they can detect.

The wolves had a favorite part of our visit. Each day the wolves are taken out for their "walkie". As soon as a volunteer gets a leash and collar and enters the first enclosure, the others notice and the howling begins.

No human is allowed interaction with any of the wolves until they know the wolf welcomes interaction. There are waivers to sign before entering an enclosure and as with any animal, you realize there are risks involved. We have been to the wolf sanctuary twice and look forward to the next visit.

Recounting our visit just barely touches on all that goes on at the wolf sanctuary. If you have one within hours of your home, try to visit. Wolves are amazing and majestic creatures with eyes that seem to search your soul. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

If you live too far away to visit, please visit via the Internet at

http://wolvesofsaintfrancis.org/ where you can meet the staff, wolves, and learn what you can do to keep them safe.

I'd love your comments. If any staff of St. Francis reads this, please feel free to update or correct information in the comment section below.

Article submitted Tuesday, March 01, 2011 & read 760 times.

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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow (1 year 79 days ago.)

We have two wolf sanctuaries nearby - one charges and the other doesn't I really should go to at least the free one, eh?

We saw 3 ladies walking (on leashes) 3 wolves from the other sanctuary once on a hike - magnificent - then we had such a bad snow that it piled up on the chain link fence and many wolves from a 3rd place walked over the snow and out - they captured all of them but not without some effort - that place donated their wolves to the pay one and closed up after than snow... relatives saw one walking down the middle of the highway with an animal control officer following in a truck trying to convince him to take a ride - he was tuckered out and finally went with the officer.
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» left by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁸⁸⁾ (1 year 67 days ago.)

They are beautiful majestic animals. Yes, I think you would love visiting a wolf rescue/sanctuary! Let me know how your visit goes. We have a husky, very wolf-like and as I read your story, I could picture her doing just what the tuckered out wolf did. Thanks for reading and commenting, Marijo. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.

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