Newsletter - Summer 2004
(click to link to pdf download)

Sanctuary Update

This The 4th Annual Howl-O-Ween 4K Run is fast approaching. We have been working with the race sponsors to make this a successful event for both the sponsors and Wolf. The race will again be held at City Park and Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. Our sponsors have again this year come up with amazing prizes for the pledge portion of the run. Remember now is the time to start collecting your pledges. Of course we will be giving trophies to the top three race winners in several categories. This year we have added two new categories. Both of them will be going to the dogs. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd for the pups in both the race itself and in the costume contest. So remember to have the pups in costume. Please see the run brochure for further information on pledge prizes, registration sites and times . Remember this year the race is on Halloween Day, October 31st. There will be a pumpkin patch and trick or treat stations for all our little ghosts and goblins.

On another note, Whisper has a new roommate. We have placed Matoskah with her and are very pleased to tell you that they are getting along wonderfully and the bond between them grows everyday. Matoskah, who was with Kiki and Spirit, was kicked out of that pack by Kiki. It seems she wants Spirit all to herself.

The rains have finally arrived and have helped us feel a little safer from the fire danger. Still the fire mitigation continues. On a continuous basis dead trees are pulled from the forest surrounding the compound. They are then cut into fire wood or shredded to make bedding for the animal’s houses.

This year Wolf is offering a limited edition, 2005 calendar and a screen saver for sale. You can call the Sanctuary for more details - 970-416-9531.

Our programs with Turning Point and AIM House continue to go well. Teen volunteers arrive at Wolf on a weekly basis. The teens have been very instrumental in helping with clean-up and fire mitigation. In addition it gives the teens an opportunity to work with the animals. Over the years we have learned that these animals have the ability to help teens at risk work out their problems. We hope to expand the Teen Volunteer Program to include other schools.

Pat has been invited to write a story for an upcoming book titled “Through Our Eyes”. The book will have approximately 20 contributors, all people who work with animals at sanctuaries or rehab facilities. All of the original stories will be written about animals at the various facilities. The book will be written for the third to seventh grade level and contain photographs and artwork contributed by the authors. Pat’s story is titled “Wolf Tails & Tales”. All proceeds from the book will go to the various organizations who contributed. To pre-order call Pat. The cost will be between $30 and $40 each.

Construction on the enclosures continues. With two remaining to be expanded to the main compound road, everyone is very excited about being able to reach all of the food and water containers from the road. However, without an ATV we will still be carrying all of the buckets by hand. All of the equipment needed to convert an ATV into a “water/food truck” is available, now all we need is the ATV itself -- hint, hint.

We have had twenty seven new volunteers join Wolf in the last 3 months. We would like to welcome them and thank all of our current volunteers for their continued support and help. Volunteers are the backbone of the Wolf organization and the work here could never be accomplished without them. We would also like to thank Brandy Russell and Gail Daugherty our volunteer coordinators. Brandy also works with Helene Harrison (please see the Volunteer Feature on page 3 ) and Jesse Hand on volunteer training and a big thank you goes out to them also. To become a volunteer, please call Brandy at 970-482-8400. For questions about membership please call Pat or Frank at the Sanctuary 970-416-9531.

We continue to do numerous education programs. Now that wolves are coming to Colorado the educational programs are being requested more than usual. If you know of a teacher, service group, college club or any other groups interested in a program, please have them get in touch with Pat at the Sanctuary.