US Wolf Refuge

wolf

Promoting and protecting the welfare of wolves and wolf-dogs throughout North America

History and Purpose of the US Wolf Refuge

The U.S. Wolf Refuge first started doing wolf and wolf-dog rescue back in 1984. We immediately became recognized all across the country as one of the premier sanctuaries for these animals. We obtained our non-profit status in 1992.

We moved from the heat of Apache Junction, AZ to the cool of Prescott, AZ in 1993. Encroaching residential growth caused us to move to our present location in northern Nevada in 2000.

We were granted a USDA license in 2009, which is only awarded to those facilities that are in compliance with the USDA Animal Welfare Act and that provide the highest level of animal care.

entrance to the United States Wolf Refuge

Philosophy

The U.S. Wolf Refuge aims to promote and protect the welfare of all wolves and wolf-dogs throughout North America. Our overall goals are to return the wolf to its rightful place within any appropriate ecosystem and to promote healthy and harmonious relations between man and the wolf-dog.

It is only by the hand of man that wolves find themselves in captive living situations, forced to live their lives according to man's rules. Wolves that have experienced domestic captive living situations can no longer be released into the wild. Therefore, they must live the remainder of their lives in captivity, behaving in a manner that is foreign to their nature

We strongly oppose the breeding of wolf dogs and actively strive to prevent it. We also oppose the keeping of pure wolves by private individuals.

Meet the Residents

Aurora, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Aurora
High Content Wolf-dog, male
DOB: April 2, 2016
Aurora was part of a facility in Minnesota that was shut down by authorities in 2023. Aurora arrived at the refuge in October 2023. She was spayed in 2024 and is a healthy petite girl. She’s extremely feral and has only allowed one of our volunteers to give her treats and a quick pet here and there.

Koda, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Koda
High Content Wolf-dog, male
DOB: April 2, 2016
Koda is one of our ambassadors for the refuge. He is also one of our largest animals. He came to the refuge in 2019 at the request of his owner who was traveling for long periods due to business. Koda was lovingly raised and is a refuge favorite, as all he wants to do is play, kiss you, and steal any loose belongings that you bring into his enclosure

Kodiak, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Kodiak
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: Feb 2012
Kodiak came to the refuge in May 2020 from a home in Concord, CA. He is very feral and living in a congested, noisy neighborhood was becoming to stressful for both him and his owner. He currently resides in a enclosure that is about an acre and spends most of his time dozing under trees. He is a very feral, sweet animal.

Loki, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Loki2OP
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: approximately Mar, 2017
Loki came to the refuge in September 2018, around 18 months old. He came from Truth or Consequences, NM. Loki is a volunteer favorite and definitely has a “favorite” volunteer. He loves to scent roll volunteers and is very social. He loves his water trough in the summer and day trips to Pyramid Lake to play in the water. He also likes playing with other female residents and stealing anything that doesn't belong to him.

Phalen, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Lycan
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: approximately Aug 2017
Phelan was originally in a foster situation for a rescue in Oregon. He was about 8 months old and was going to be euthanized because he was destructive. Phelan is a traditional Irish name that means “wolf”. He is timid but, over time, has gained confidence and approaches most of our volunteers for some affection and play.

Pheonix, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Lycan
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: approximately 2021 / 2022
Phoenix was part of a facility in Minnesota that was shut down by authorities in 2023. When Phoenix arrived at the refuge in October 2023, he was pretty beat up. He was cared for by a volunteer for a month as he required special care. Today, he resides in a large 2-acre enclosure and is still very feral. He’s curious and will sneak up behind you to sniff you. Occasionally, he will take a treat from a volunteer’s hand.

Storm, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Storm
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: approximately 2021 / 2022
Storm was part of a facility in Minnesota that was shut down by authorities in 2023. Today, he resides in a large 2 acre enclosure, with 10' fencing and is still very feral. Occasionally he will take a treat from a volunteer's hand. Lycan is our most senior animal at the refuge. He is very handsome and healthy. He is curious when something is going on, likes to run the fence with his enclosure neighbors, and will come up to the fence for quick scritches and nose boops.

Thunder, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge

Thunder
Wolf-dog, male
DOB: approximately Aug 8, 2012
Thunder came to the refuge with his mate, Lightning, in Aug 2019 when we were contacted to help after their owner had passed away. Lightning passed away in 2023. From the day Thunder arrived, he has been very social. He is one of our ambassadors and has made several ambassador appearances over the years. He communicates by growling, and we have come to learn that there is no malice in his growl. Thunder has a very large enclosure that allows him to see what volunteers are coming in to visit.

Volunteer

It is estimated that there may be as many as 2,000,000 wolf dogs in this country. People who adopt wolves often find they are not equipped to handle their needs, which the differ significantly from domestic dogs. The are Animal control agencies and shelters will euthanize them without putting them up for adoption.

These wolves and wolf dogs find themselves in less then ideal situations through no fault of there own.

We take in and care for those wolves and wolf-dogs who are socialized enough to adjust to a new living situation without significant trauma.

If you would like to contribute to the U.S. Wolf Refuge there are numerous volunteer opportunities, both on site and in helping out at public events. Contact us to learn more about what is needed and how you can contribute and get involved.

Pheonix, a wolf-dog resident of the United States Wolf Refuge