News, Summer 2002, page 2

The last quarter has been very trying and very rewarding. Too bad we can't just keep the rewarding part and send back the trying part.

The losses of both Zeke (see In Memory of Zeke) and Cheyenne (see In Memory of Cheyenne) so close together was extraordinarily difficult to accept. We truly believe that they are in a better place, however we really were not ready for them to go. We were overwhelmed with the decision of the county commissioners that allowed us to accept two new pups (see Tunyan & Indigo).

We were ecstatic with the response received to help fund the Maine Rescue (see Maine Rescue). We were extremely challenged by the fact that it appeared that the dollars sent for that rescue seemed to come out of the normal donations made to run the Sanctuary. We have been in a catch up mode ever since, trying to figure out how to pay the bills. We were also somewhat discouraged by the lack of funding for that rescue from the other organizations involved and even more discouraged that we could not seem to get a detailed account of the rescue.

We finally found a permanent foster home situation for the four Arkansas animals that we rescued last fall. (see Rescue: 455) They had been in a 30' x 60' enclosure at a temporary foster home in Fort Collins. A group of volunteers built a half-acre enclosure for them at the Hathaway's 35-acre property. The animals will be moved there on August 4th. We will bring you more information on that in the next newsletter. Our undying thanks (pun intended) go out to Marla Morine and Larry Bolt for providing so magnificently for the temporary home for these animals. We know they are having trouble parting with them, even though they know it is the best thing for the animals. We are also very thankful to the Hathaway's and are confident that they will provide a wonderful home for the Arkansas Four.

We have been challenged by more situations that have numerous animals in horrible situations and facing death. A large breeder in Michigan has 60+ wolf-dogs and 100+ cats in deplorable conditions. Living in broken down vehicles and travel kennels in a barn. We can't seem to get anything going to help these animals. Again in Arkansas a group of 15 wolf-dogs are being discarded by a former breeder. We have been unable to help here also. Closer to home, in a canyon south of Boulder, a long-time breeder has again broken the terms of her court order and has had 5 more animals confiscated and killed. This totals more than 65 animals that have been confiscated and killed for which she is personally responsible. This does not even take into account scores of animals that have been injured in fights or dozens that have died from preventable diseases. A number of rescues and sanctuaries have tried, over the years, to help her get the situation under control and she continues to follow some misguided path. Although we wish we could save more, we just don't have the resources to accommodate all that are in need.

The drought continues and we continue to hold our breath. Even though everything is very crispy we have not had any fires close to our area. So far we have been blessed.

We have received some wonderful donations of medical supplements for the animals. DVM Pharmaceuticals donated a significant supply of Derm Caps, which is an extraordinary product that helps the skin and coats of animals (see http://www.dvmpharmaceuticals.com/display.html?c=6 for more information). Animal Health Options donated Proanthozone which is an amazing free radical supplement that has helped numerous chronic ailments along with ProMotion which has helped joint problems in a number of the animals (see http://animalhealthoptions.com/f_home.html for more information). We appreciate their help and can give anyone who is interested more information about these products.

In general the animals are doing great! As many of our residents start getting up in years we are getting more and more little ailments that keep our vet busy.

We are also trying something new with this newsletter and hoping that it does not back fire on us. We are inserting a flyer from a sanctuary in California in order to help spread the word about other groups that are helping animals. This is meant as an overture to help unify some of the efforts that Wolf believes is necessary in the animal welfare industry. Those of you who have visited the contacts page should be aware that Wolf is an accredited member of both The Association of Sanctuaries and The American Sanctuary Association and supports their efforts.

Running a nonprofit organization on donations from the public has been an extraordinary experience for the founders of Wolf. Both Frank and Pat have run successful for profit businesses in the past and are amazed regularly with the human condition.

Over the years that Wolf has been in operation we have received many donations and are thankful for ALL of the support that the public provides. Although big bucks are necessary to accomplish the mission of Wolf, there are also the spiritual and motivational necessities that at times are much more important than the financial considerations.

This last year, more than any other, we have seen an increase in the number of small donations. Wolf receives checks for $1.72, $5.05, $7.00, even a check for $1.00. A lot of these small checks come with notes apologizing for the size of the contribution.

Contrary to your initial thoughts our days are brightened and invigorated by these small donations. We realize that the individual making them is probably in no position to even afford the donation that they send. They obviously got to the bottom line when paying the bills and what they sent is all that was left.

If we could get more individuals to use the same approach our financial concerns would be totally resolved. Please know that Wolf appreciates any size donation and more importantly the willingness of individuals to help the animals.