by Heide Brandes
In 2005, a rescue of a single wolf dog at Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation near Claremore sparked a mission that would span nearly two decades. For Karen Kelly, founder of Freedom Song Wolf Rescue and Sanctuary in Broken Arrow, knowledge of that incident crystallized a growing need in Oklahoma for a dedicated safe haven for wolf dogs — animals that exist in a complicated space between wild and domestic.
“We had every intention of having a sanctuary from the start,” Kelly said. But like many dreams, the reality proved more challenging than anticipated.
The story of Freedom Song mirrors the larger narrative of wolf-dog rescue in America — a tale of dedication confronting seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While Kelly and her team searched for suitable property that would meet their needs and local regulations, they adapted, creating a network of foster homes that would become the backbone of their rescue efforts.
It’s a story playing out across North America, where fewer than two dozen legitimate wolf-dog sanctuaries struggle to meet growing demand. In Texas, Catherine Howell of Twin Rivers Wolf and Wolfdog Sanctuary cares for 46 wolf dogs, many of whom were surrendered by owners unprepared for the reality of these unique animals. Farther north, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary near Calgary, Alberta, Canada, houses 61 wolf dogs, making it one of the largest such facilities in North America.
The need for such sanctuaries stems from a heartbreaking statistic. Approximately 90 percent of high-content wolf dogs (those with 80 percent or more wolf DNA) are euthanized before reaching age two. The exotic appeal of owning a “wolf” has created a breeding industry that often leaves animals and owners in crisis.
“Wolf dogs need specific containment,” Howell said. “You can’t just get one and stick it in a little pen somewhere and think it’s going to be happy.”
The Struggles That Sanctuaries Encounter
Howell’s journey into the rescue of wolf dogs started in 2000, when she began to care for her first wolf dog. Cancer claimed him nine years later. Her connection to these unique animals deepened after she adopted three more from Freedom Song Sanctuary, followed by a puppy named Yukon in 2015.
A turning point came in 2016 when Howell agreed to temporarily house six wolf dogs from a troubled Idaho breeding operation. When the breeder violated agreements to stop breeding, Howell’s temporary rescue became a permanent mission. By 2019, she had transformed her 10-acre rural property into Twin Rivers, a registered nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to saving these often misunderstood animals.
For Freedom Song, the challenges of finding suitable property highlighted a crucial issue in the rescue of wolf dogs — location matters. Sanctuaries require seclusion for the animals’ comfort and to comply with varying local regulations. In Oklahoma, where ownership of wolf dogs is restricted in many areas, finding legal property becomes an additional hurdle.
The financial burden of a wolf-dog rescue facility can be staggering. At Twin Rivers, monthly feeding costs alone reached $3,200 before pandemic-related price increases drove expenses even higher. A single proper enclosure can cost $30,000 to $50,000 to construct because it requires specialized fencing that must be tall enough to prevent jumping and reinforced to prevent digging.
“Funding has always been one of our biggest challenges,” Howell said.
Unlike some larger sanctuaries that can offer educational programs or tours, Freedom Song’s foster-based model made it harder to secure substantial financial support.
Now, after years of dedicated service, Freedom Song is gradually winding down operations through attrition. With one elderly wolf dog remaining in their care, Kelly and her team are facing the reality that many small rescues encounter — the toll of age and health issues on their ability to continue their mission.
Yet their legacy lives on in the animals they have saved and the awareness they have helped to raise.
The Growing Need for Rescue
The need for wolf-dog rescue hasn’t diminished — if anything, it’s growing. Social media continue to romanticize the ownership of wolf dogs, leading to more impulse purchases and, inevitably, more surrenders.
The allure of owning a wolf dog often stems from a romanticized view of wolves themselves.
“It’s all about having something that’s exotic,” said Howell. “But there’s also a lot of misrepresentation that goes on with wolf dogs.”
That misrepresentation can be deadly. Many owners discover too late that wolf dogs require specialized care, extensive space, and unique understanding of their behavior. Common challenges include destructive tendencies that far exceed typical puppy behavior; escape-artist abilities that require specialized containment; complex social needs that don’t align with typical pet ownership; difficulty with routine veterinary care because of the timid nature of wolf dogs; and legal complications because many jurisdictions restrict or ban ownership of wolf dogs.
Advocates are pushing for stricter breeding regulations nationwide.
“All breeders, regardless of breed, should be responsible,” said Kelly. “How to make all breeders responsible? We don’t know how that could be enforced. There are no standards when it comes to breeding wolf dogs. The percentages of wolf and dog breeds are all over the place.”
Howell said, “I think wolf-dog breeding should be regulated. You should have to have a license.” She stressed the necessity to distinguish between responsible breeding programs and mass-breeding operations.
The Continued Work and the Connection
For now, the remaining sanctuaries continue their work, each adapting to its unique circumstances. Some, such as Yamnuska, offer educational programs to offset costs and raise awareness. Others, including Twin Rivers, are working toward public access while maintaining their rescue mission. Freedom Song wants more education.
“Wolf dogs, as with any other canine, should be treated humanely, with a loving home, proper diet, shelter, containment,” said Kelly. “Wolf dogs, just like huskies, can be a real challenge to contain. So a properly fenced yard is extremely important. The average fence won’t work.”
She adds, “The heart-soul connection between us humans and our wolf dogs is so intense. There’s just something extra strong there.”
