FAQ

When is Mission: Wolf open?
We welcome volunteers Tuesdays and Saturdays, arriving between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. for a tour, then we can set you up on a project.  Plan to spend a few hours or more volunteering with us. Click here to learn more about day visits, volunteering, or to schedule a tour slot.

How do I get to Mission: Wolf?
We are located in southern Colorado, near Westcliffe. Click here for driving directions. Google, Mapquest, and GPS units won’t give you correct directions!

How much does it cost?
We do not charge any fees to visit, receive a tour, or volunteer at the sanctuary. We ask for cash donations, essential supplies, or items from our wish list. We are able to care for the wolves and achieve our larger vision because of the passionate support of visitors and donors. All donations are tax deductible. The best way to support the sanctuary is to take a wolf to dinner.

Can I do an internship at Mission: Wolf?
We don’t offer a true internship program, but many members of our volunteer staff have used their experience as an internship, and some have arranged to get college credit for their experiences here. If you would like to join our volunteer staff, read more here.

How can I volunteer?
Especially during the summer, we have plenty of work for short-term volunteers — you are welcome to stay up to two weeks. Please let us know when you are planning to visit, so we can arrange work projects for you. If you would like to join our volunteer staff, read more here.

Can I camp at Mission: Wolf?
We have a free primitive campground for tent camping if you would like to stay the night after enjoying a day of volunteering. You can also use National Forest land a half mile away. Click here for more about camping.

How do I sponsor a wolf?
Click here!

How do I donate?
Donate online here, or you can mail cash or check to:

Mission: Wolf
PO Box 1211
Westcliffe, CO 81252

Can I donate my sick or deceased horse, cow, or other livestock?
We rely on donations of meat and livestock to feed our wolves — click here for more info about donating livestock.

Can I bring my group?
Mission: Wolf is known for our world-class experiential education, and we love hosting groups of all kinds. For more info about bringing groups, click here.

Can I bring my dog?
NO! This is a peaceful sanctuary for wolves. Domestic dogs disturb and cause anxiety to the wolves.

Will you take my wolf or wolf-dog?
We are at capacity and overwhelmed by the number of times we get this request. For help on dealing with a pet wolf-dog, please read more here. If you wish to search for sanctuary placement your wolfdog, please fill out the questionnaire on the W.O.L.F website here

How do I schedule an Ambassador Wolf program?
We currently travel for special events within the Rocky Mountain region. Please contact us with any requests. Our nationwide program is on hold until further notice — you can learn more here.

Can I touch a wolf?
It is important to note that we never guarantee any interaction with the wolves. As a wildlife sanctuary, we defer to the needs of the resident animals and the choices they make in regard to meeting humans. Read more about our Wolf Education Sessions to understand our philosophy.

Do you have any recommended reading?

Yes! You can see this page for our recommended reading list.

Are there any other relevant wolf/wolf-dog organizations?

Yes! You can learn more about other wolf and wolf-dog organizations here.

Why let people interact with wolves?

Some may be puzzled as to why we let people interact with the wolves at all. As a sanctuary for rescued wolves and wolf-dogs, it might seem contrary to our mission, which is to provide the animals with a safe, peaceful, life-long home.

This is a fair concern and we never force any animal to interact with (or even be seen by) visitors, should they prefer otherwise. With that being said, it is also our philosophy that some wolves gain obvious enrichment from interacting with humans.

Since our resident wolves are not candidates for reintroduction to the wild, we try to offer different forms of stimulus to break up the monotony of their lives in captivity, one of these being human interaction. The wolves always meet people on their own terms. Because we let the wolves make such choices rather than being coerced to do so, we believe it makes the interspecies communication we facilitate in our Wolf Behavior Sessions all the more special and rewarding for everyone involved.

We are finding that more and more people have a hunger to connect and understand wilderness. All of the National Geographic and Animal Planet specials combined will not satisfy this drive Americans have to experience a personal connection with nature. Our Ambassador Wolves provide a way for people to gain new insights and understandings about the place of humans in an ecosystem.

Today, it is this drive that fuels the Ambassador Wolf program at Mission: Wolf. It is the connection the wolves provide that re-kindles and builds a greater respect for nature, all of its creatures, and even other humans. We invite you to be the Ambassador wolves’ enrichment program, and we hope your life will also be enriched in the process. If you are interested in participating, read more about visiting or contact us.

Don’t see your question? Contact us and we will do our best to answer.