This is an awesome place!! I loved the experience and the people were friendly and very knowledgeable. I loved how we got to sit with the wolves and know some much about them and the whole place! Can’t wait to go again.
Tucked away in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Westcliffe, CO, is a magical place devoted solely to the care and keeping of wolves, and wolfdogs. The purpose of this amazing place is twofold; Kent Weber and his devoted band of volunteers teach visitors about wolves, and their place in the wilderness, and they tell the stories of abandoned and neglected wolf and wolfdogs pets who end up in M:W.
Visitors literally get to enjoy hands-on introductions to ambassador wolves, tour the facilities, and learn about volunteer options. The visit is entirely free, although you are free to donate money, time, and dead deer! I will always cherish my visit to Mission:Wolf, and hooe to go to Colorado again, just to see these amazing wolves.
I've volunteered with Mission:Wolf many times, and they are always so wonderful. I visited a few weekends ago with friends- we got a wonderful & in depth tour. They were able to answer all of our questions. They really took an interest in our experience. We volunteered for the day - building a terraced garden bed - but they insisted we take a break to meet the wolves. All in all, M:W was awesome as usual.
I volunteered at M:W twice for a week each time with my university for spring break. The trips were the highlights of those years, and I have since visited three times, bringing family and friends.
During our volunteer trips, the staff was wonderful. They are eager to share their knowledge and are so friendly and welcoming. We always learned a lot about wolves, sustainability, and life in general. M:W also owns a horse barn, so we got to see the horses and learn about horse interactions. Planning the trip is easy because the staff responds quickly to emails and are accommodating, especially for groups of volunteers. The grounds are great for camping & hiking so I highly suggest camping out for a week.
My visits to M:W are always rewarding and are a great chance to escape the world and delve into something totally new and different. I always walk away refreshed and extraordinarily happy.
Things you might do while volunteering: building, wolf feeding, cleaning, office work, gardening, wood chopping
I will never forget my visit to Mission: Wolf! The drive down the dirt roads to this special place in the mountaina was beautiful. We arrived to a volunteer coming out to greet us. My mom and I were beside ourselves with joy when we found out we would get to go in and meet the Ambassador Pack. Meeting Abe and Zeab were so special! The tour around the enclosures to meet the other wolves and hear their stories brought the world of Mission: Wolf alive...it made me want to spend time there and work hard for these animals! As we walked back to our car to leave, the wolves told us goodbye with a group howl! Oh my soul, what a beautiful sound! My dream is to spend a week volunteering here. This group does it right and truly makes a difference in the lives of these animals.
I first visited M:W in the fall of 2008 having a very minimal knowledge of wolves but a great passion to learn and help protect them I became transformed when sitting in the wolf pen with Magpie. Kent and Tracy along with their many volunteers take great strides to educate everyone adults and children alike the importance of wolves in the environment and the value of sustainability. I left the sanctuary that weekend with a new purpose in my life to advocate for wolf protection and preservation. My husband and I continue to visit the sanctuary as much as possible, listening to Kent speak of this misunderstood animal truly is inspiring and I encourage everyone to visit. I've found Mission Wolf to be a place of profound peace.
I have been struggling w severe PTSD, and have had a really hard time being in public the last year. I went to Mission: Wolf last week, and the wolves had such a profound effect on me. Even though it was a busy day for visitors and normally I would've had a really hard time being near that many people, I had one of the best days of my life!! Getting wolf kisses and interacting with them was so incredibly healing. Not only is Mission: Wolf saving wolves and educating people, they are also helping people beyond belief!!!
For an assignment in my undergraduate class, I designed a map for Mission: Wolf. I was able to see the sanctuary and meet some of the most gracious residents. The staff were nothing but kind, and the wolves were nothing but amazing! I cried, twice, at seeing the wolves and the wonderful way they were treated. Mission: Wolf is an amazing sanctuary that is 100% dedicated to helping wolves. I tell everyone about my experience there and highly recommend that they go!
I have visited many Wolf/Animal Sanctuaries in my travels. Have returned to Mission:Wolf numerous times. My experiences with the Volunteer staff (of which i myself have been a part of), the Wolves and Horses, as well as with Kent and Tracey...have been rewarding beyond all words. A truly self sustaining Sanctuary...that is doing amazing things for the Wolves...as well as the Visitors. I highly recommend (and do so daily to many) that you visit this Sanctuary...a truly Wondrous place...that is Genuine to the best for the Wolves and those who wish to learn of and expierence the Wolves...as well as the Dedicated Volunteers.
J. McMullen
I have visited many Wolf/Animal Sanctuaries in my travels. Have returned to Misdion:Wolf numerous times. My experiences with the Volunteer staff (of which i myself have been a part of), the Wolves and Horses, as well as with Kent and Tracey...have been rewarding beyond all words. A truly self sustaining Sanctuary...that is doing amazing things for the Wolves...as well as the Visitors. I highly recommend (and do so daily to many) that you visit this Sanctuary...a truly Wondrous place...that is Genuine to the best for the Wolves and those who wish to learn of and expierence the Wolves...as well as the Dedicated Volunteers.
J. McMullen
This non-profit is top notch! We take a group of college students here twice a year, and they always comment about how the trip changes their life. Mission Wolf lives and breathes their culture of inclusion, education and sustainability. The staff is knowledgeable, the animals are magnificent, the scenery breath taking and the owners are the people you are happy to share a conversation and hug with. I would give more stars than 5 if I could.
I went here as part of a teen camping trip and it has been the highlight of my life! The wolves are amazing animals, so brilliant and exotic. However, I believe the people who volunteer their time working there are even more amazing! They have done such incredible work to care for these gorgeous animals. Mission: Wolf is a great place to get in touch with nature and yourself!
We loved the experience of meeting the wolves. I really like how they teach about wolves and get rid of the myths and stigmas. Want to go back. We sponsored a wolf when we were there.
I have been to Mission: Wolf several times, and every time I learn something new about these marvelous creatures. I had heard of this place many years ago, but never had the chance to visit until I worked with a previous M:W staff member. The first time I went, Mission: Wolf was greater than I could have ever pictured. The layout of the sanctuary flows into the side of the mountain and makes you feel as if you are a part of it when you stay there. The staff that live there and take care of the wolves, and all from different walks of life, but have a common passion to take care of the wolves, and they have a profound sense of community! What Kent and Tracy have created is inspiring! They educate so many about wolves and ecology, and how they intertwine, and how to have a self-sustaining community. I could say so much more about how spectacular and unique this sanctuary is, and how much you learn about community, self-sustainability, and yourself through the eyes of wolves, but you have to visit it for yourself! And you have to wake up and hear wolves howl, there is no other sound like it!
Back in 2011 Mission:Wolf visited Southington, CT, and on a whim, I attended this presentation where I met Kent, Tracey, Magpie, Abe, et al, and learned, 1,) wild wolves lived in the U.S., and 2.) everything I "knew" about them was wrong! It was an utterly fascinating program and it started me on a path of learning all I can about these magnificent predators and advocating for them with letters and phone calls to state and federal officials.
I strongly believe that educational programs such as Mission:Wolf are really the only way we have to learn about our nation's wildlife and endangered species, and their purpose in our open spaces, and I am so grateful that Kent Weber and his group of travelling educators made its way to a town in CT and taught us about wolves.
After packing all of my belongings into a Honda Civic in 2010 I drove West with no future. I visited my best friend, Moses, in Salida and he suggested we go check out this wolf refuge. The picture he painted for me was of a lovely couple, Kent and Tracy, who had a couple of wolves and a tipi. I was skeptical but took his word; however this was not the complete picture.
We show up at dinner time and I am instantly introduced to 20 of the most amazing people I had ever met; didn't even know these awesome of people existed. Of course this was the staff at the time and I fell in love with them all that night. We go to sleep.. and then the wolves start howling. If you've never heard 30-40 wolves that have something to say howl all night you're missing out. Decided there and then that this was actually my future and stayed for almost a year and a half after that fateful day. Every three day weekend I get is now spent at this special retreat for all walks of life. We have made it to 2017 and I am so happy to say that I have dozens of close wolf-friends that recognize me and enjoy my company. The friends I have made with past, present, and hopefully future staff are life-long, strong connections that I cherish. We all work so, so hard to keep Mission:Wolf a place that people can visit, fall in love, and then give them an outlet to add their own touch to the place. After 30 years of this model, one can FEEL all of the attention and love that went into this very special non-profit wolf sanctuary. You can feel it to; check it out. My name is Chainsaw Paul and I full-heartedly endorse this message.
As my brother led us up to the campsite... I was transformed. I felt like I was stepping a bit back in time but opening up a new future. I could have watched the wolves for hours. The amazing community work there showed how we can depend and work together to save the heart of our mountains. Never have I felt so blessed as when Abe and Magpie came into the enclosure to greet us... And I will never forget Abe's eyes and the intensity I felt small and empowered at the same time. This place recycles everything including my families dear horse. There's a respect for the past and a hope to a wonderful future. Thank you all.
Mission: Wolf is exactly what other sanctuaries should strive to be! I love that they focus on education. Making sure that people are informed is an important part of shrinking the number of wolves that are kept and bred in captivity. These animals are wild. They are not meant to be kept as pets. Kent is one of the most amazing souls you'll ever meet. His piercing eyes draw you in and make you want to listen to every thing he has to say. He's funny and he's incredibly passionate about his mission. I've been going to Mission: Wolf every summer for the last 16 years and take people with me every chance I get. There's something really special about meeting the ambassador wolves. Hearing the howling just before big feed is amazing too. A visit to Mission: Wolf is truly a unique experience. We donate to this non profit because we believe in their mission and we can see that the money goes right to the wolves and that they are so well cared for by the wonderful staff/volunteers.
When arrived wasn't really sure what we were getting into but this was the a really amazing experience. We had a great time there learning a lot about the wolfs and being able to sit with them. Everyone was so pleasant and very knowledgeable. We plan to visit again soon
My husband took his children to Mission: Wolf in 1995 and showed me many fascinating photos from their trip. He took me in the summer of 2015 and it was the highlight of my tour of Colorado! Visiting Mission: Wolf was a great experience in so many ways. Not only are the volunteers compassionate, dedicated and caring, they are also kind to us visitors and willing and able to answer our many questions. It refreshed my soul to see the wolves cared for so well.
I've been to Mission:Wolf several times over the years and had the opportunity to mingle with the ambassador wolves, learn so much about these magnificent creatures, and am in awe of how compassionate the staffers and volunteers are. I look forward to volunteering up there and as a veterinary professional I tip my hat. The people of Missikn:Wolf care so much and do everything they can to keep the animals happy, healthy safe and few as natural as possible. The time and effort they put into education, research and community outreach is amazing! This is hands down the best nonprofit organization for animals I've have the pleasure to visit
I first came to Mission: Wolf in March 2016 with the expectation of seeing a few wolves from a distance. I had worked with the group in 1994 to reintroduce the wolves from Alberta, Canada into Yellowstone National Park. Little did I know that 22 years later, I would once again meet up with Kent Weber who I had seen at my first introduction to the wolves when he came to Washington, DC to present his wolves to those of us wanting to support this amazing cause. I have visited Mission: Wolf several times since March 2016 and each time I visit, I walk away knowing that what we did in 1994 had purpose, meaning, and was real. Kent, Tracy Ane, Mike and the whole group dedicate their lives to educating people on wolves and how they should not be feared but instead respected as all animals should be respected. I was wholly impressed that everyone there are full-time volunteers who wouldn’t want to be anyplace else. They give everything they have to these wolves who give so much back in return. My first wolf touch at Mission: Wolf in 2016 was Magpie who recently passed away and then Mike introduced me to Tiger and Rosie and I was in love! The wolves have taught me the meaning of self-sacrifice and the people of Mission: Wolf live the mission statement everyday: Educate vs. extinction. The sanctuary itself is so clean, well-maintained, and is in such a beautiful location that you might never want to leave. But the most overwhelming thing that happens at Mission: Wolf is to sit on a log late in the evening or early morning and listen to the chorus of howls that starts with a small, one wolf melody and turns in to a chorus that will absolutely take your breath away. I encourage you to visit Mission: Wolf, donate to them if you can, and know that everything you give to Mission: Wolf, goes to the care and support of the wolves in their charge. I can think of no other non-profit that deserves to be considered a 2017 Top-Rated Non-Profit than Mission: Wolf!!
I spent 9 months at Mission:Wolf and it was the best experience in my life. I miss waking up to wolfs howling in the morning. Miss being out there away from people and still seeing many interested visitors pouring in to learn something about wolves. I made so many new experiences there and learned so much.
I can't stay away from the place and I'll be back in a bit.
I have many stories of Mission Wolf and Kent and Tracy. My best story was taking my then 84 year old Mother out to see them in their CO home. She never really understood my draw to the wolves and how magical I thought they were. Well, Kent took us into the enclosure and we told her they would come to her face and not to be afraid, not to look in their eyes and just relax. She had one of the older guys come up to her and put his mouth around her face and just sort of feel her out. When he left I looked over and she was crying! My Mother was a bit bitter, never believed in magic and all the funky things I did, but that day she was transformed. We stayed for a while longer and with each experience I could see her starting to understand the mystical magical powers of the intuitive wolves. Later we sat on the deck by the store and a Raven came over and landed near us. I told her to watch and listen, and all of a sudden the wolves started to howl, again I looked over and she was crying.
We were forever changed by that experience, she got to know me a bit better and I know when she died the magic mystical wolves and Ravens were waiting to comfort her.
Kent and Tracy do an amazing job and I know everyone who has been there has been changed for the better. Thank you to Mission Wolf for all they do. Carol
I absolutely love Mission:Wolf. I think they are the best example of what ALL sanctuaries should be like. The volunteers here put the wolves before everything else, even the land is in their name! I have very high standards about how I think all animals should be treated if they (unfortunately) can't be wild, so its very hard to impress me but M:W does. They are a group of very dedicated, highly educated, respectful people. I hope one day to experience living off the grid with them myself! I would recommend a visit to this sanctuary to anybody, as I truly believe it's a life-changing experience.
I spent the summer of 2003 volunteering at Mission:Wolf. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Kent Weber has created an amazing place for the protection of wolves that educates the public about their role in conservation. Having the opportunity to wake up in my teepee to the wolves' howls and then spend the day caring for and connecting with these magnificent creatures was a time I will always has cherish. It is now 14 years later and I have kept in touch with friends I made during my time at Mission: Wolf from all over the world. I just wish I lived closer so I could go back to visit more often! Kent, Tracy, and everyone one and Mission: Wolf, thank you for all you do. Your work is truly inspiring.
Simply Amazing! The highlight is definitely meeting the wolves in person. From looking into your soul to licking your face it's an experience you'll never forget. But, it's also a place to learn about the history of wolves, sustainability, and human interactions. Ken and the group who run MW are bar none! They are smart, passionate, caring, and fun people. I have brought student groups there multiple times and it's always a great experience! One of my favorite places in the world!
My husband and I discovered Mission: Wolf by chance while on a trip to central Colorado a few years ago. We were blown away by the wonderful animals and people at MW. Since then, we've followed how they care for these beautiful wolves and wolf hybrids in their fully sustainable location near Westcliffe. It is a wonderful place to visit and learn about these magnificent animals, and they also do outreach to schools and other organizations. Hands down, MW is one of the best non-profit organizations I have ever encountered, and we will continue to support them. We tell many people we meet about the intense experience we had there, getting to interact so closely with the wolves.