While wolves have captured the hearts of people with their intelligence and charisma, they're not pets. The consequence of domesticating a wild animal can be deadly. Yet an increasing number of people adopt wolves and wolfdogs only to abandon them later. Fortunately, they can find refuge at Shy Wolf Sanctuary, where Nancy Smith and her husband have created a haven for wolves and wild animals alike.
Smith’s activism began in the 1970s, when there were no regulations in Collier County, Florida that held people responsible for the mistreatment of animals. Through her efforts, she influenced laws to increase protection for animals, and later became the first animal regulation officer of Collier County. In 1993, Smith founded the Shy Wolf Sanctuary. “I needed to create a safe space because exotic animals don’t have anybody to speak for them,” she says.
Most of the animals Smith and her team care for are wolfdogs, which are hybrids between dogs and wolves. Wolfdogs are bred to attain the characteristics of a dog with the physical appearance of a wolf. Instead, the result is a highly misunderstood animal whose survival is further threatened by its creators – humans. These creatures present behavioural challenges that are not met by owners, which leads to numerous ill-treated animals being abandoned. Smith’s mission is predicated on the unfortunate law that animals who cannot be taken in by domestic shelters or zoos must be euthanised.
Shy Wolf cares for over 60 animals, but continues to create a space for incoming creatures who would fit into the existing packs. In instances that animals cannot be adopted by Shy Wolf, they provide assistance to pet owners in their decision to either keep the animal or allocate them to other rescue facilities. The organisation is also home to cougars, bobcats, and foxes among other wild species. By hosting educational programmes, they aim to help the public understand the needs of wolfdogs and how to coexist with wildlife. “I believe that the right to secure and safe life should not be reserved to humans,” Smith says. At Shy Wolf Sanctuary, some of the most maligned and vulnerable creatures can gain a second chance.
Footage by Shy Wolf Sanctuary was used in the creation of this film.
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