WideAwake

Lucan Watching Intently

- The Path To Recovery  

- Searching For A Permanent Site

(read story below)

The Sanctuary

Too Many Animals in Enclosure

- Spirit Passes Very Unexpectedly

- Kiki Grieves  

- A New Resident Comes To Wolf

(read story below)

Texas Breeder

Too Many Animals in Enclosure    (photo from Peta video)

- Geraldo At Large Viewing Times (Link)

- All Attempts To Stop This Have Failed  

- E-Mail Links

(read story below)

Wide Awake

     All of the animals rescued from Wisconsin are progressing slowly. We have been feeding them meat twice a day. They have also been receiving supplements, vitamins and probiotics to help them on their path to recovery. Many of them are still very afraid of humans, but, we believe, are starting to realize that no one is going to hurt them. Physically they are gaining weight and appear to be much stronger. Many of them are still very stressed whenever humans get close to their enclosures.
      We started their heart worm treatment over a month ago, by starting them on doxycycline. This antibiotic attacks other microorganisms, which can become part of the problem once we start the heartworm medication. Their first dosage of heart worm medication was given last week. Although the protocol will be long, we are confident that it will give them all the best chance at survival and long term health.
     We postponed the spays and neuters on these animals, in order to allow them to gain more strength and be healthier for those surgeries. We have decided to proceed with the neuters on the males and will be scheduling those for the next week or two.
     Our sincere thanks go out to all of those individuals who have helped with the expenses involved in this rescue. We also must acknowledge, Jeff Figgs, whose untiring dedication to these animals has been outstanding. He has taken up residency in an Airstream at the Wide Awake site, in order to care for their every need. Our jobs would have been significantly more difficult without his commitment.

     As mentioned in previous emails, we must find a permanent location to move these animals. Even though our original plan was to get them healthy and then place them at other sanctuaries, it became quite evident that with their critical health issues that this was not going to be possible. It will take us two to three years to return all of them to appropriate health levels. At that point it would be even more traumatic to separate them from their pack. We must locate them to a new facility because of number restrictions put on us by our county. Therefore it is imperative that we find new property as soon as possible and begin construction of new enclosures.
      If anyone has any ideas that might work for this, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Frank at 970-416-9531 or wolfsash@aol.com

The Sanctuary

     On July 28th two of the Wolf Volunteers went to Spirit’s Enclosure to give him and Kiki their regular morning supplements. Spirit did not come down for his and they proceeded to the top of his enclosure, looking for him. They found him lying in his favorite sleeping spot, dead. There had been no signs of trauma and indeed he had given no signs of even feeling ill. Frank was called on the two-way radio and could not believe what he was hearing. As he ran to the enclosure, he kept thinking this was really not happening. As he reached the top of the enclosure, it became obvious this was not a bad dream — it was really happening.
      We needed to know what had occurred and took his body to CSU Vet Hospital for a necropsy. The results again shocked us to the core. He had died from renal failure. In fact, his kidneys were only one-third the size they should have been and there were several huge (approx. 1”x 1/2”) stones that, it was believed, had blocked the ureter. Although our minds have now accepted his passing, our hearts have not. His “Spirit” and physical presence were amazing and endeared him to numerous humans. Anyone who has met him, has been forever changed by his personality.

     Kiki likewise was grieving terribly. Every dawn and dusk started with her mournful howls. All the other animals seem to understand and remain absolutely quiet. Trying to figure out how long she needed to complete her process, became another nightmare for us. Were her howls coming from a place of grief or from a lonely place. No matter which, it only added to our own grief.
     We finally made the decision to bring in a new companion for her. Although the best option would have been to find a very young male, we were concerned about a number of older wolves who were being left homeless. There is a refuge in Colorado who is closing down and has 12 wolves and wolf-dogs that need to be placed. We tried to find the individual who would be missed least by his current companions and brought Shadow Hawk (8-9 years old) home on August 13th. His capture (at the refuge), transport to Wolf and release into the smaller catch-up area in front of Kiki’s enclosure, went well. He is still in that area, in order to allow the two individuals to become accustomed to each other slowly. We will keep you informed on how their situation progresses.

     We finally made the decision to bring in a new companion for her. Although the best option would have been to find a very young male, we were concerned about a number of older wolves who were being left homeless. There is a refuge in Colorado who is closing down and has 12 wolves and wolf-dogs that need to be placed. We tried to find the individual who would be missed least by his current companions and brought Shadow Hawk (8-9 years old) home on August 13th. His capture (at the refuge), transport to Wolf and release into the smaller catch-up area in front of Kiki’s enclosure, went well. He is still in that area, in order to allow the two individuals to become accustomed to each other slowly. We will keep you informed on how their situation progresses.

Texas Breeder

     Sorry about the confusion in our last email. We were unaware that the program on wolf-dogs would be split into two segments. The first segment back in July just covered the death of a woman in PA. The new segment airing today will cover the breeder in TX.
      Hopefully the visibility given this situation on Geraldo At Large will help bring more pressure to bear on the local authorities. Here is a link that will give you the viewing time and channel in your area. Link:

http://www.geraldoatlarge.com/where-to-watch.php?PHPSESSID=7ff7d62887873a074a39db89f77251dc

     After viewing the program, please go back to their web site and send in your comments. This will demonstrate that the public is interested in this type of programming and they will be more willing to do additional programs, in the future, to help animals.
     We also encourage you to visit the Peta web site and read their new alert on this situation and view an updated video. The link for that alert and video is referenced below.
     Again, we also ask that you email, fax or write a polite letter to the authorities and media in Texas. Their email and address links are listed below.
      Thank You for your help!

     This type of behavior by wolves and wolf-dogs is described by L. David Mech in his book “The Wolf”. It is called ‘energy displacement’. We have witnessed this type of behavior in person and it has been a major factor in the development of our philosophy and mission. Indeed, it is the main reason why we do NOT believe wolves and wolf-dogs should be bred for a life in captivity. The bottom line — it is unfair to the animals. It causes aberrant, unnatural behavior.
     Wolves possess a very high energy level, extremely high intelligence and are predators. In the wild these traits are perfect for the role they play in the ecosystem. In captivity these innate qualities are stifled. As the unused energy, boredom and lack of a challenge build, the pressure cooker will eventually explode. This is especially true when captive wolves are kept in large groups and there is no attention given to enriching factors in their environment. When the lid blows, they will attack a member of their own pack — usually the omega. This is not an indication of their like or dislike for that individual — they must expend the pent up energy.
     The animals at Starcross Wolves are not being cared for properly. There are way too many animals in one enclosure and the fencing is not suitable or safe. This situation must be rectified quickly.

Please HELP!

Video from Peta's Action Center
Link:
http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/ActionAlerts-item.asp?id=1978

Please read the new information from Peta and view the linked video.

      Kaufman County Authorities (Copy & Paste):

     Texas State Vet (Copy & Paste):

comments@tahc.state.tx.us,

     Media (Copy & Paste):