What is a Sanctuary and how is it different than a Rehabilitation Center?

A sanctuary is a place to seek refuge.  An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her death.

Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and care of injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals so that they can be released back into the wild.

By your generous donations and support we continue to offer sanctuary
to Wolves and Wolf-hybrids for life.

Keisha loved the snow

Today we had snow and tomorrow we are to have snow again.  Keisha loved the snow so it is apropos that the gift of snow be given at her crossing.

A lump appeared above Keisha's left eye.  Growing fast it became a mass almost over night.  She could not open her left eye.  She was an expert at masking pain, but with her other eye blurred by a cataract she started pawing at the lump.  We made the decision to have the lump removed.  The ex-rays where taken and in that moment of review I could see in our vet's eyes the deepening concern.  Surgery began.  It was a tumor.  It had calcified and was spreading quickly.  As the snow started to fall outside, with some of us readying a warm place for her homecoming and others standing by awaiting the end of the surgery the decision was made to say farewell.  Gods speed our beauty.   

Silence.  The whole of my universe rippled as Keisha left us behind to stand beside her sister Niksa.  The gentle current of her voice will ring in other hills and mountains.  Build your pack strong as you have always done.  Tell Winston hello as I am sure he met you and guided you to the great hunt.  I know your sister greeted you warmly. Nuzzles and soft growls.  I close my eyes and I see your face looking up at me.  I open my eyes and I see your face.

Our sweet Keisha, until we meet again fair the well.  You will always be with us in spirit!  In the stillness of the winter night listen for you can still hear her sweet melodic tones calling out across the great divide.  Peace is with you.

Keisha of Speedwell was her name.  She was shy and mysterious; a stealthy beauty in her pack; aunt and mother figure to Tioga and companion to Merlin.   She came to Wolf Sanctuary on May 5, 2006.  She and her pack had many good years in their own territory with space to play and hide and just be free!  

She walked with beauty and grace and we will never forget the time we humans were allowed to share.  We mourn her loss, each in our own way.  For me it is impossible to write about her and not shed tears.  We celebrate her life.   Our beautiful ambassador.  Thank you for being!  As she would tell you "wolves are special and they need to be understood".  

IN MEMORY of KEISHA of SPEEDWELL

born: 2004 / rescued:   05-05-06 / died 01-22-15 of Bone Cancer

Winston you will be deeply missed.

Winston you will be deeply missed, 

Almost 15 years my friend.  Second in command for many years, faithful brother and pack mentor to the end.  You stood your ground and when your brother Murphy joined the great hunt your cries of anguish could be heard long into the night and through many months after.  I can still hear you and a new pain has settled heavy in my heart. Come back, come back to me, to us.....so many gone.  Now you too have joined the great hunt.  Pain is for the living and on January 10, 2015, your pain ended.  Did you look back as your final breath escaped?  A fleeting glimpse as the great plains and flowing waters opened up before you.  Did you stand tall and stretch long?  I know you did, and I smile at the thought of you running and jumping.  Throw your head back and howl, then smile slyly as you always have.  Our beautiful Winston.  My friend.  Our friend.  Now you run with the packs on the great hunt.  Your brother leading the way. Nip his heals for me.  I will look for you after a while.  Until then the memories of you I hold will keep me sated. 

I love you.  We love you.  Winston you will be deeply missed. 

February 3, 2000 - January 10, 2015

Scout

Scout

February 15, 2000 to March 1, 2014

I am proud to be a wolf, steadfast and true. I am proud to have stood my ground and watched over my family as they slept and as they worked and played. We have stood strong together, and as the years passed on we respected each other and lived as near a peaceful life as we could. My time has come to move on; I go to sleep here on this plain so that I move freely in the next. To run to and even past the bridge. My family ages with me, and as it is my duty to check the path ahead. Do not grieve for me. I will wait for you on the other side. But the path will be checked and ready as I am firm in my commitment and duty to Scout the path for my brothers and sisters.

When we meet again and I know we will.  I hope to see that toothy grin lined with evidence of good days and long laughs.  I hope to see valleys and hills as maps of the adventures you told me you would someday have.  And I hope to see your shoulders stronger and head held higher from showing the world your worth. I hope to hear that for you I was never more than a memory away.

We miss you Scout.....your will always be in our memories.

Time to Go SHOPPING!

Help support Wolf Sanctuary of PA, when you shop at

Wolf Sanctuary Of Pa Inc

Girls in the Big Pack

So its that time of year again, when the ladies get restless. The fight began and ended with Trinity being removed as Alpha and Sarge coming out as the new alpha. Chomp was collateral damage. She got pretty beat up, and was banished from the pack for a few weeks. She called to her pack mates, but for the most they let her alone to heal. Trinity would check on her from time to time, but she too stayed with the pack more than not.

Last week, Trinity took back her position as Alpha. The girls are getting along again. Trinity is back in the saddle and has placed Sarge on notice. Sarge is paying due respect to her ladyship. Chomp is healing, but has joined the pack. She is no longer staying alone at the bottom of the hill crying softly and wishing for company and a shoulder to lay her sore head on.

Hormones run high and tempers get short this time of year. But I think we are through the worst.

Lakota

To some they are just animals behind a fence.  To others they are a mystery worth exploring.  To us they are a nation unto themselves.  They do not command respect, but I give it without question.  If you could see with your heart, you would learn to live.  If you could hear with your soul you would understand the knowledge in their eyes.

Lakota, heavy with this life's scares you lived with your sisters.  You listened to their quarrels and their fears and you gave them your love and understanding.  They picked on you often, and yet you gave them your love unconditionally.  Your sisters miss you.  We miss you, and we are sad when we walk past your home and you are not there to great us with your shy self.

It takes me days, weeks sometimes months to say farewell, and I am sorry this farewell comes on the heals of another.  To those that rescue, you know our pain.  To those that love animals, you know our pain.  To those that live with animals, you know our pain.  You also know our joys and repose. We are bound together....

Lakota, I know in my heart you run with the rest of your pack.  I believe that you are happy and free of these earthly bonds that hold us grounded and keep us form joining you.

Bless us as we wait our turn and do the best we can as we move along life's journey.  We shall not seek to hurry to the bridge yet sometimes as we sleep we are shown glimmers of color and yearn to feel the warmth in good time.  We will see you again my sister.  

Our dearest Lakato died December 26, 2013.