Submitted by Wolf Haven International
Wolf Haven International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has worked for wolf conservation since 1982 under the mission “to conserve and protect wolves and their habitat,” has been selected to receive the esteemed 2024 Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary Award presented by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). GFAS is a global leader in accreditation programs for animal sanctuaries and assesses facilities against a robust set of operational and animal care standards. Wolf Haven is the only wolf sanctuary in the world with GFAS accreditation and was selected from more than 200 GFAS-certified sanctuaries worldwide for this award.
“This year’s award recipients truly embody and put into practice the GFAS philosophy of vision, dedication, and excellence in animal care,” notes Valerie Taylor, Executive Director of GFAS. “Part of the GFAS mission is to recognize sanctuaries and rescue centers and raise awareness of their work, and the 2024 Award recipients serve as exemplary models of many important characteristics attributed to true sanctuaries, demonstrating professionalism, collaborative spirit, and leadership, all for the animals.”
Wolf Haven’s longevity as a sanctuary and their staff’s deep experience have made them a leader in humane wolf care. The organization, for example, hosts an annual three-day wildlife handling course for professionals with Dr. Mark Johnson of Global Wildlife Resources. It is one of most extensive courses on the subject in North America and includes a hands-on lab with captive wolves to coincide with those animals’ annual vaccines and medical exams. “Whether a wolf is rescued from the pet trade to live out their life in the peace of sanctuary, or they are an endangered wolf who could be selected for release onto the landscape, our sole purpose as animal caregivers is to provide the means for each individual to thrive while honoring their wildness,” states Wolf Haven’s Sanctuary Director Pamela Maciel Cabañas. “GFAS recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Wolf Haven staff who, rain or shine, are there every step of the way for the incredible animals under our care.”
Wolf Haven has rescued and provided a lifetime home to over 325 animals in the last 42 years at their sanctuary locations in Tenino, Washington and Bridger, Montana. Many of the wolves and wolfdogs relocated to Wolf Haven come from private ownership, while others come from zoos, roadside attractions, and other unfortunate situations. In the sanctuary, they are given exceptional care, quality food, a variety of enrichment items, conspecific companionship, and progressive medical treatment. Wolf Haven has also participated in the Mexican Wolf SAFE program since 1994 and the American Red Wolf SAFE program since 2003 (formerly Species Survival Plan/SSP programs), helping to ensure the continued health and survival of these critically endangered wolf species. Three Mexican wolf families from Wolf Haven have been released into the wild in the United States and Mexico, and two American Red wolves born at the sanctuary have been released into North Carolina. The organization’s most recent American Red wolf release in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resulted in that wolf joining a wild pack and producing a litter of pups, helping to increase the known wild population by approximately 30%.
“All of us at Wolf Haven are honored and humbled to receive the GFAS Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary Award,” says Geoff Willard, Executive Director of Wolf Haven International. “The award is a great recognition of many years of hard work by our staff, board, volunteers, and other supporters, and especially the amazing work done day-in, day-out by our animal care team to maintain (and surpass) GFAS standards for care.”
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