by Stew Mosberg

It has been more than 17 years since Wolfwood Refuge and Sanctuary saved its first wolf-hybrid from certain death. Once located in Pagosa Springs, the sanctuary for wolves and wolf-hybrids is now just outside Ignacio, where it has been for a decade. Providing shelter, health care and a lot of love to hundreds of animals over the years, the refuge is presently home to more than 70 canines and is the largest of its kind in the United States. However, Wolfwood is also facing an uncertain future.

 

Wolves and their cross-bred cousins are not suited for domestication, yet illegal breeders of wolf-dog hybrids sell them for profit, often touting the pups as being “100 percent wolf.” Buyers of these animals typically find they cannot fully domesticate them and in some instances abuse the animal, abandon it or put it down. In the case of abandonment, the wolf-dog is not equipped to survive in the wild and will undoubtedly perish, or if caught, will almost always be euthanized.    

 

Craig and Paula Watson founded Wolfwood as a safe haven where these animals can live out their days in a loving environment. The refuge has never been a money-maker and has managed to subsist on donations and the efforts of a volunteer staff. Most of Craig Watson’s income working at a mine goes toward the refuge. Former teacher Paula Watson manages and directs the operations, educates the public, and conducts programs at schools, libraries and outdoor events to which she brings a few “ambassador” animals. It is the Watsons’ fervent belief that such education will lead to the end of wolf-dog propagation. However, the Watsons’ humane efforts may soon be cut short by government bureaucracy.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the safekeeping of millions of animals each year. It falls under the USDA’s stewardship to determine “standards of humane care and treatment of animals.” APHIS implements those standards and achieves compliance through inspection, education, cooperative efforts and enforcement.

 

Wolfwood is licensed by the State of Colorado and La Plata County, but the USDA recently decided the refuge must also be licensed under the federal APHIS. The decision was based on Wolfwood’s function, which in the USDA’s opinion is “to exhibit or share its rescued wolf-hybrid dogs with school children and other members of the public.”

 

After their initial inspection, the USDA made a series of demands that created havoc at Wolfwood. Most significant is the agency’s misinterpretation of Wolfwood’s primary goal – to save, serve and protect the animals. Education is only a means to that end.

 

Unfortunately, the regulations and compliance demands made by APHIS are vague and generalized. For example, the association does not take into account wolf lifestyle or physiology. They insist “dog habitats” must be weatherized so temperatures are no lower than 45 degrees, although wolves thrive in temperatures well below freezing. They require that cages used to transport the animals be marked with a “this end up” sign even though the animals are clearly visible through the metal lattice. The agency’s assertion that Wolfwood is an animal exhibitor is confusing at best. “We are a sanctuary that educates, not an animal exhibitor,” said Paula Watson adding that the refuge never charges a fee to visitors. “They have no idea what they are doing when it comes to our work.”

 

Still, Wolfwood is making every effort to comply with regulations even though compliance will be “costly and extremely difficult financially,” says Watson.

 

However, Wolfwood is getting some help from on high. After being notified of the USDA’s intervention, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall is monitoring the situation. “(I have) instructed my staff to continue working with the USDA and Wolfwood to help reach a reasonable solution,” he said, before adding, “It is also necessary that federal regulations be implemented in a fair and practical manner.”

 

The costs of coming into compliance have already reached into the thousands of dollars. However, the refuge’s refurbishment work continues after two inspections kept it from its previously scheduled school, library and campsite tours. Considering that the refuge derives a good deal of its operating expenses from donations, it is a devastating blow.

 

“Everything we have done so far has passed,” Paul Watson pointed out. “But we have a lot more to do, and we just can’t work any harder and faster.” The all-volunteer staff is rapidly “burning out” from the additional labor. According to Ben Ehler, a volunteer at Wolfwood, “We’ve put in at least 400 hours just hauling dirt up the hill to cover ground fencing used to keep the wolves from digging out, but it erodes pretty quickly, and we have to do it all over again.”

 

The many large pens already situated on the 40 acres have to be retrofitted to meet the rigorous new standards and cost as much as $10,000 each. New wooden dog house shelters will cost $75 apiece just for the materials. While almost all the labor needed to build and maintain the refuge comes from dedicated and compassionate volunteers, some work still needs to be paid for.    

 

Wolfwood’s donations are generated from the public sector, and summer is the busiest time for the refuge’s educational programs. Because of the USDA inspections this year, almost 20 events had to be cancelled, and until the USDA approves the changes, Wolfwood will not be allowed to run their educational programs with the “ambassador” animals.

 

Services such as veterinarian care, building materials, fencing, monetary contributions and “bite proof water buckets” are urgently needed to keep Wolfwood operational.

 

Watson also knows that limiting Wolfwood to function as a sanctuary and not allowing it to educate would be a major disservice to the community. Not long ago, a special needs class from Aztec visited Wolfwood. An autistic child was given the chance to pet, stroke and commune with one of the “ambassadors.” While he was caressing the furry animal, his mother, who was part of the contingent, had tears in her eyes. When asked to explain her reaction she sobbed, “It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile.”     

 

With its educational ties to more than 30 schools, organizations and other facilities around the state, losing Wolfwood’s programs would be a tragedy. However, the Watsons are determined. “This is and has been my life’s work,” said Paula Watson. “They can’t stop my passion.” n

For additional information on Wolfwood, email wolfwood1995@hotmail.com or call 946-9606. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 312, Ignacio, CO 81137.