Not far away in nearby Navasota is a safe haven for wolves and wolf dogs in need of a home. Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary (SFWS), named for Saint Francis of Assisi the patron saint of animals, has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for non-releasable wolves and wolf dogs since 2002. Now, kids and families can tour the grounds and get to know the animals, participate in "Howl with the Wolves" events, and choose an animal to sponsor to become a part of a very special pack.
From Montgomery to Navasota
Originally, the facility was located in Montgomery, Texas on Saint Beulah Chapel Road, but as the number of requests to rescue wolves and wolf dogs grew, they knew they were going to need more space. In May 2020, the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary moved their pack to a brand new, 15-acre facility in nearby Navasota, Texas. With more room to roam, improved facilities, top-notch care, and help from the community, the wolves are happy to be in their new home and continue to thrive with the compassionate care given to them each and every day.
Howl with the Wolves!
Getting to know these amazing animals and learning their stories is like getting a glimpse into life in the wild. All of the animals at SFWS are "non-releasable", meaning that they cannot be adopted out to families safely or set free to care for themselves in the wild because they would not survive. But that doesn't mean they can't howl!
One of the most amazing things about SFWS is that they are 100% family-friendly and open to visitors. When you go online and reserve a time, you can take a guided tour of the facility, see the animals in their enclosures, enjoy watching one of their keepers provide them with a special enrichment, and even camp out overnight and howl with the pack!
"Just like you can count on a rooster to crow, you can count on these wolves to howl during a Howl Night event," says Nicole Rogers, executive director for SFWS. During one of these family fun nights, you can enjoy the tour and gift shop, make hot dogs and s'mores by the bonfire and enjoy some outdoor fun before turning in for the night. In the morning, you can wake up and hear the pack howling as the sun comes up and enjoy a light breakfast.
VIP tours, birthday parties, and Girl and Boy Scout groups are all welcome at SFWS. Just click here to look at the schedule and book a time.
Santa's Workshop, Dec. 18 - 19
One event families can look forward to is Santa's Workshop on Saturday, December 18 through Sunday, December 19, 2020. Families can come by the gift shop and meet Santa, and take tours with no reservation, free of charge. It's a great Christmas memory to make, and you'll be supporting SFWS in their mission to love and care for these animals.
Follow them on Facebook
Get to know the animals and all their goofy antics! SFWS is active on Facebook and constantly posts updates on the pack, holiday events, and fun activities for the kiddos. Click here to Follow.
Meet the Wolves of SFWS
There are 13 non-releasable animals currently being loved and cared for at St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary. Six wolves, six wolf dogs, and one very special, non-wolf Malamute mix named Romulus. Meet a few of the special wolves and wolf-dogs of SFWS.
ACHILLES, the rare arctic wolf
Achilles is the very first arctic wolf at the sanctuary. Arctic wolves are a subspecies of gray wolf, found in the high arctic of Canada and Greenland. Achilles is quite comfortable with new people, which is very rare for an arctic wolf. In terms of stature, Achilles is definitely one of the largest animals, but he has a lean wolf build, so he only weighs about 100 pounds. Click here for his story.
KAYA, freed from life on a chain
Kaya was rescued after being subjected to life at the end of a chain. After sustaining a serious neck injury, she was brought to SFWS and is enjoying all the free space provided to her. Click here for her story.
MEEKO, full of mischief
Meeko is named after the mischievous racoon in Disney's Pocahontas, and it fits him perfectly. As one of the youngest in the pack, the beautiful black phase wolf-dog has become the lifelong companion of the patient Tala, who mothers him to no end. Click here for his story.
ROMULUS, the Malamute Mix
"He thinks he's 100% wolf," says Rogers. Romulus and his brother Remus were abandoned in North Texas and originally mistaken for wolf-dogs, which is how they came to be at SFWS. They have no wolf-blood whatsoever. However, as the oldest dog and longest resident of SFWS, Romulus can't be told he isn't a wolf. Unlike his brother, who was suited for domestic life and adopted out to a loving family, Romulus is a wolf at heart and is paired with his faithful companion Calypso. Click here for his story.
No Wolf Roams Alone
Rogers and her team at SFWS is passionate for people to learn the truth about wolves and wolf dogs. "The idea that a 'lone wolf' is strong and capable of surviving on its own is a myth," she says. "The fact is that wolves are pack animals, and the pack is a family. Without a pack, a wolf simply will not be able to survive on their own for long."
That's why the work that SFWS is doing is so important. According to Rogers, most of the animals are rescued from families that unfortunately found out owning a wolf or wolf dog was not a good idea. The puppies are sold, sometimes illegally and taken home, only for the owners to find out too late that wolves and dogs are in fact, very different.
"We get calls from people saying, 'I've got this wolf puppy and it's destroying my house', because people don't understand that wolves and wolf dogs are not meant to be domesticated. They are beautiful, wild animals and that's why we want to educate kids and families about them," says Rogers. During a tour of the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary, guides and caretakers will educate guests on the difference between wolves and domestic dogs, and why they should not be kept as pets or bred for profit.
Help from the Community
Originally based in Montgomery, TX, SFWS was able to purchase land in nearby Navasota in order to provide ample living space for their growing pack. But wide open spaces aren't all that the wolves need to be happy. According to Rogers, the animals consume approximately 100,000 pounds of raw meat every week. So where does all that meat come from?
"We've been blessed to have a long-standing partnership with Montgomery County Food Bank, who provides meat for the animals here," says Rogers. Every other week, Montgomery County Food Bank provides approximately 700 - 1000 pounds meat that is just past the date safe for human consumption to the sanctuary. This is the majority of their daily diet, in addition to fish oil and other vitamins that keep them healthy and strong.
How You Can Get Involved
When asked what SFWS needs the most in order to help them care for all 13 animals, a number that is expected to keep growing, Rogers simply asks for people to come out and visit them. "Once you get to know the animals, we hope you will fall in love and want to help." Families can sponsor a wolf that they feel a connection to and provide year-round veterinary care, nutritious meals, stimulating enrichment, and animal enclosure maintenance possible for our wolves and wolf dogs for under $200 a year. You can click here for more information on sponsoring and other ways to get involved.
It is the love and compassionate care of humans that will ensure that the majestic wolves and wolf dogs at SFWS will live safe and meaningful lives and y can be every bit the animals they were born to be. Take the 32-minute drive to St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary and learn all about what it really means to be a part of the pack.
