Mission: Wolf (abbreviated M:W) is a remote wolf sanctuary near Westcliffe, Colorado in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It houses up to 40 wolves and wolf-dog crosses, and works to promote a better understanding of wolves in order to further reintroduction efforts and discourage attempts to keep wolves as pets.

Founding

Mission: Wolf was founded by Idaho-born Kent Weber and his wife, Tracy Ane Brooks, as a remote shelter for a dozen purebred timber wolves and wolf-dogs. In the first year of constructing a house, they took in several wolf puppies. As word got out, the site began to attract visitors, who helped expand the site, allowing for the adoption of more wolves. At the peak of Mission: Wolf's adoption frenzy, they had 52 wolves and wolf-dogs, before realizing that there were far more animals than they would be able take in. The number of animals at the sanctuary at any one time is variable.

Mission

Mission: Wolf's core goal is to educate the public about wolves and to clear their reputation as 'The Big Bad Wolf' through experiential education and respect for animals. They also advocate against the breeding of wolf-dogs and owning either wolves or wolf-dogs as pets.

Mission: Wolf accepts volunteers on both a short (2 weeks - 1 mo) and long term (1–3 months) basis. Many of the core administrative staff are volunteers as well. The Ambassador Program has visited schools, universities, NGOs and nonprofits, as well as governmental organizations.

Feeding

Beginning in the summer of 2008, the wolves were fed a small portion once a day in what is called "daily feed". This is mainly used as a way to provide vitamin supplements and medications to the wolves and check on their health; before that, the wolves had only received the feast-and-famine cycle of two large meals a week, similar to their eating schedule in the wild. This is now called "big feed", and still occurs twice a week, though the wolves get slightly less food, as some is stored away for daily feed.

References

  • Mission: Wolf Official Website