Wolf Haven International

Steve and Linda Kuntz, who are considered the founders of Wolf Haven International, first became involved with wolves after purchasing a wolf pup while living in Colorado in 1978, having no idea that wolves were endangered at the time. They would later meet and befriend Ed Andrews and his wife, two naturalists who ran Wolf Country Foundation, an educational organization that also provided homes for eight wolves in their care.[2][3][4] The wolves had been acquired from research programs, federal agencies, and the Fairbanks Zoo after it went bankrupt and ceased operation.[3][5]

In 1980, the Andrews moved from Colorado, stating it was too expensive to operate there. At the time, the Colorado wildlife authorities stated that they had begun investigating the couple's activities, which were halted by their moving. The couple originally went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but were denied a permit to import the wolves into the area and were forced to leave.[3] The Andrews then moved to Washington state, setting up their compound on 4 acres (16,000 m²) of land in South Prairie. Their neighbors, primarily ranchers, objected to the new facility, and complained that the wolves were noisy. One neighbor killed two of the Andrews pet Doberman Pinschers, claiming the dogs were on his land and had killed his wife's cat. Though the facility was legal by state standards, the city passed an ordinance requiring the Andrews to obtain their neighbors' approval for it.[3]

The city later passed an ordinance making it illegal to own wolves, so the group packed up once again, relocating to Tenino, Washington (near Olympia), with its now 22-strong pack of wolves. With thousands of yards between the wolf pens and the nearest neighbors, the group was able to settle in and find acceptance on land donated by an anonymous supporter. The Kuntzes joined the Andrews as their assistants, and the volunteers of Wolf Haven continued giving educational lectures and caring for captive-bred wolves needing homes. After Wolf Haven's arrival, Washington also made it illegal to own wolves, but the organization was granted an exemption.[6]

In early 1982, the Andrews turned the organization over to the Kuntzes, who incorporated it as a nonprofit organization, Wolf Haven America, on September 10, 1982.[2][7] Operated by volunteers, it continued focusing on the dual purposes of education and housing wolves that might otherwise be destroyed.[2] By 1990, the group was renamed Wolf Haven International, to reflect its dedication to wolves around the world, and expanded to have a dedicated board of directors and paid staff positions.[2] According to the organization, it has provided a home to over 250 wolves that were rescued from "roadside zoos, animal collectors, private owners, research and other facilities."[1]

In 2018, Wolf Haven acquired a second existing wolf sanctuary, formerly known as the McCleery Buffalo Wolf Foundation, located in Bridger, Montana. Now called the McCleery Ranch, the sanctuary is home to 35 wolves.