Tenino Sanctuary
Wolf Haven's sanctuary in Tenino, Washington has rescued and provided a lifetime home for hundreds of captive-born wolves, wolfdogs, and coyotes since 1982. Most rescues come from private ownership, while others come from zoos, roadside attractions, and other unfortunate situations. They have often faced neglect or abuse and Wolf Haven is their last hope. Visits to the Tenino sanctuary are by advanced reservation only.
The Need for Sanctuary
Captive wolves and wolfdogs are purchased as pups from exotic animal breeders for a variety of reasons, but however well-intended the “owners” may be, they are often ill-equipped to care for a wild animal. Wolves have a natural tendency to be wary of people and it's one of the many traits that make them unsuitable as pets. In a captive setting, they may become destructive of property, unpredictable, or dangerous.
A change in life circumstances may affect an individual’s ability to care for their animal and some wolves spend their entire lives chained outside or restricted to small kennels. Many captive-born wolves and wolfdogs are euthanized by the age of 22 months.
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​Wolf Haven strongly believes that wolves belong in the wild, not in captivity or under private ownership. There are some wolf and wolfdog sanctuaries around the country, but not nearly enough to accommodate the large number of animals in need of placement. It is much easier to obtain a wolfdog than it is to find placement for one.
Wolf Haven's Role
Over the years, Wolf Haven has responded to distress calls in California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Minnesota, and many other states. Our animal care team strategically plans each wolf rescue, assessing the least stressful method to safely capture the animal and transport them back to our facility. Once at Wolf Haven, these animals receive the best possible care in the best possible environment.
Each of our large, natural, circular enclosures varies in size, ranging anywhere from 4,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet. By connecting some of our smaller enclosures via corridors, each pair has between 1/4 and 3/4 of an acre to roam. Every enclosure also has an 8 foot fence, 3 foot tip-in, and additional barriers underground. This design considers the incredible digging instincts and jumping skills of wolves (which most private owners are unprepared for). We also provide each animal with individualized care, quality food, a variety of enrichment items, progressive medical treatment, and companionship with others of the same species.
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In 2018, Wolf Haven also began managing a wolf sanctuary in Montana known as McCleery Ranch, which is home to 13 captive-born wolves.
Seeing Results
Because of our animal care staff's experience, and our longevity as a wolf sanctuary, Wolf Haven has come to be regarded as a leader in humane wolf management and wolf identification. Each year, Wolf Haven hosts a Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization course for professionals, which is highly regarded and widely attended.​ It is one of the most extensive, current, and innovative chemical immobilization courses in North America, with hands-on labs each day including the immobilization of wolves who live at our sanctuary.
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In the wild, a wolf has a lifetime expectancy of five years. At Wolf Haven, it's not uncommon for them to reach their teen years, with some of our oldest residents living to be 17+ years old. Wolf Haven actively discourages the breeding, selling, owning, trafficking, and promoting of wolves and wolfdogs as pets, and every animal in our sanctuary is treated with compassion, respect, and dignity from the day they arrive to their end of days. At Wolf Haven, they no longer have to be conflicted about who they are or where they belong. They can simply be.
endangered Species
In addition to providing a forever home for rescued wolves and wolfdogs, Wolf Haven's Tenino sanctuary also participates in federally managed Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs designed to ensure the continued health and survival of two endangered wolf species: the American Red Wolf and the Mexican wolf.
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SAFE programs are a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Zoos and Aquarium. Wolf Haven is a breeding facility for both programs and because of the secluded nature of our sanctuary, the wolves raised here are prime candidates for release into the wild.
To date, ten litters of Mexican wolf pups and five litters of American Red Wolf pups have been born at Wolf Haven. Three packs (22 wolves) of Mexican wolves and two American Red Wolves have been released from Wolf Haven into the wild over the past 20 years.
