Along with our 22nd year of existence, our ever-struggling refuge has managed to take many positive steps forward in 2007. One major accomplishment was welcoming Board Members Dan Mazur, Doris McFadden and Bobbie Holaday (Board Member Emeritus) to our family.

Dan Mazur is very knowledgeable about the business of animals. As former director of the Heritage Park Zoo in Prescott, Arizona, Dan was instrumental in acquiring the original three Mexican wolves that were released there. He was able to acquire funding for their enclosure and worked closely with the USDA in its design and construction. With his business knowledge, Dan is able to direct the United States Wolf Refuge in the proper direction to ensure its humane and efficient operation and its longevity

Doris McFadden has been a long time friend and supporter of the United States Wolf Refuge. As a professional dog trainer for over 30 years, her experience has covered virtually all types of canine behaviors. She has personally owned several wolf-dogs and is well versed in the variety of behaviors and temperaments that they can display. Because of her extensive experience in dog training, she is a well recognized figure in her community. Her compassion for all animals is a great asset for not only herself but also the United States Wolf Refuge

Bobbie Holaday (Board Member Emeritus) has been a professional and personal friend since 1990. She is the Founder and Director of “PAWS” (Preserve Arizona’s Wolves) and author of Return of the Mexican Gray Wolf – Back to the Blue, a biography about her instrumental part in the 1998 release of eleven Mexican Gray Wolves back into the wilds of Arizona’s Blue Range. The reintroduction of these wolves back into the wild was a landmark victory for wolf preservation. Bobbie Holaday has been a Mentor to many people and has been awarded countless Honor Awards.

2007 brought us new supporters who’s generosity enabled us to provide our resident “pack” members with the nutrition needed to stay healthy (American Nutrition of Utah), veterinary care (Baring Veterinary Hospital), provided fencing materials needed to repair existing pens and begin construction of our new 1-2 acre enclosures (Tholl Fence Company), cement blocks needed to construct a retaining wall (Carson Masonry), a badly needed cylinoid to get our bulldozer up and running (Dave Horton/Phoenix Generator Exchange), brought us funding from grants to finish some projects and begin planning the production of a fundraising video (The OnShore Foundation (formerly Luster Family Foundation), The PETCO Foundation, DiRienzo Foundation, The Concow-Maidu Tribal Council at Mooretown Rancheria) and many more donations too numerous to mention, although just as greatly appreciated.

The talents of our ever faithful friend Paul Van Dort brought us a wonderful, eye-catching, newly designed website. Thank you Paul for all of your hard work and never ending devotion to us and the animals!

The year also brought us new “pack” members Athena, Shiloh, Apache and Cherokee. Athena came to us from Northern California. Her rescue story can be read on the home page of our website. Shiloh, Apache and Cherokee came to us from an elderly couple that lived in Pahrump, Nevada. They had several wolf-dogs that they could no longer care for. Pictures of (beautiful) Shiloh and Apache can be seen on the website, however shy Cherokee has managed to elude the camera so far. They had several wolf-dogs that they could no longer care for. Pictures of (beautiful) Shiloh and Apache can be seen on the website, however shy Cherokee has managed to elude the camera so far.

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2007 was also a challenging year. In an attempt to secure USDA Certification we are in the middle of renovating some of the animals pens. This is a huge undertaking and as always, the refuge can always use volunteers to help. USDA Certification would be a huge accomplishment for us. The next hurdle will be completion of the large enclosures and introduction of two or three compatible animals into each natural enclosure. How wonderful will that be!

Along with the challenges and rewards that 2007 brought us, it also brought us heartache. In March we lost Voyager in a tragic accident. Voyager had become our “Ambassador-in-Training”, Temerity’s constant companion, and the heart and soul of our refuge. A few months later we lost Floppy, the 10 year old pure wolf brother of our “pack” members Stubby and Nakai. Floppy and his siblings came to us from a wildlife preserve in Idaho called Ligertown. Then more recently sweet Kahli passed on at the age of 13. They are all missed and will be in our memories forever.

The Staff, Volunteers and Resident “Pack” Members of the United States Wolf Refuge look forward to meeting 2008 and whatever this New Year holds for us !!!

Wolves and Wolf-hybrids are magnificent animals that many see as a status symbol. Before you consider getting one, read Bill Chamberlain's Placement Guide. It will give you some great insight and guidance.

Gain some more insight by reading "Find Your Wolf a New Home" by Bill Chamberlain.