was a great experience! we showed up a bit late due to a flat tire and they were just so kind to let us come in still! i definitely recommend to everyone of all ages it was interesting!
We got to howl with real wolves! If you thought you knew wolves then get ready for a game changer. This is very individual experience and has changed our perspective on wolf-dogs and wolves. Britney, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and really helped us understand wolves behavior.We look forward to coming back and supporting the new sanctuary!
It took me a long time to get a booking, so my expectations were rather high. After driving nearly 5 hours to get there, I made my long-anticipated visit today. My experience was worth every bit the wait and the drive! Every volunteer we met along the way was friendly and welcoming to us, but more importantly, I felt completely assured that each one of them was passionate and determined to do everything in their power to keep these animals healthy and safe. I knew from the number of people tending to them, their clean, sizable and carefully constructed habitats the animals were well cared for, which is extremely important to me when I visit this kind of sanctuary! Our guide, Judy was enthusiastic, informative, thoughtful, personable and completely engaging, despite being upstaged by the "howlers" trying to vie for attention! From the very beginning of her breakdown of all the things they do at Shy Wolf not only for animals, but the community as well, I was absolutely moved and eager to share whatever financial donation I could come up with, wishing it could be so much more. Moving throughout the grounds, being introduced to the residents and hearing the amazing stories of perseverance and successful rehabilitation was something I cannot put into proper words. I loved every second and wished from second 1 to the very last that I could do more to support this incredible group of people and these magnificent animals. I cannot wait to find my way back.. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Visiting Shy Wolf Sanctuary felt like a privilege to both experience and learn about these beautiful animals that have been rescued. Shy Wolf’s mission is clear in how it cares for their residents, trains the volunteers, and informs its visitors. Our guide, Patti couldn’t have been more generous in her storytelling about each and every animal. Her enthusiasm to share her process in learning about the all of the animals and gaining their trust was inspiring. It is obvious how committed the owners are to take excellent care of the animals and educate the public is truly felt in watching the volunteer caretakers and the complete thoroughness of our tour. It is well worth the wait. Also, kudos go out to Pat, another volunteer handling scheduling, who worked magic in in the effort she made to get us in! Shy Wolf is a quiet gem that is highly recommended when planning a trip to Southwest Florida, way in advance!
An amazing tour. We learned so much about both the animals and the wonderful people there. The passion of the volunteers is contagious and must be coming straight from top. Patty our guide seemed to have as much fun as we did. This gem is looking to expand and give both animals and humans an even more enriching experience. If you can't find a time to visit yourself check out their website. You can easily donate to help their care of all their babies.
What an amazing experience- my daughters had the best time and we learned so much about the wolves and wolf dogs!
Absolutely loved our tour with Judy. Learned so much and loved seeing the animals. Highly recommend and want to return.
We had a fantastic experience at Shy Wolf Sanctuary and loved learning about how what this amazing organization does. Judy our tour guide was great and knocked it out of the park! Really enjoyed seeing the animals happy and amin a good place mentally after all they've been through. The wolves were great but the Puma was fantastic!
Patty was an amazing guide. I learned so much within 2 hours. I think this is a life experience that should be done at least once. Thank you for all that you do. I don’t want to pot a lot of pics because it takes the fun out of what to find.
We went there for a tour. Best 2 hours ever spent!! We had a great time seeing all the animals. It was wonderful getting to pet two of them. We will definitely be going back and will be telling our friends.
My son loves animals, me not so much. I have to say I enjoyed Shy Wolf very much. It was so nice to see how the volunteers really care about the animals and also the guests who come to visit. I think it takes special people to rescue and take care of these animals that can no longer survive in the wild.
Went there with my family. Our guide, Patty, was extremely nice and answered every question anyone had about the animals there. Anyone could see the animals were properly taken care of, there were very entertaining stories, and the animal encounters were fun yet safe, with the volunteers making sure everyone knew what to do while with the wolf-dogs. Personally, I think that this sanctuary was better than large zoos that I have been to, and would highly recommend to anybody wanting to go to a small place with not a lot of people.
This was an amazing experience! We took our daughter for her 12th birthday and she loved it! Thank you Judy for our guided tour!
Loved every minute of this place...very up close to animals I thaught I would never be able to get close to
We have been supporting Shy Wolf since our first visit, back in 2010. Over the years, we have met many rescue wolves. The people at Shy Wolf do amazing rescue work, healing the bodies & minds of these incredible creatures. Thank you Shy Wolf for everything you do for the animals!
(This photo is from our first visit, meeting timberwolf Tien)
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My family and I went and had such a wonderful time. Shy wolf is a beautiful place that allows you to get up close and personal with with wolf and wolf dog mixed breeds. They rescue and rehabilitate the animals. Some of them are ambassador animals that are taken to schools or movie theaters for educational purposes. They teach you about the many differences between dogs and wolves and they many traits that can come out in wolf dog. The best part is when you get to go into an enclosure and you get to interact with two of them. They are amazing. Shy wolf has different animals there also. Foxes, bobcat, tortious and coyotes. They will help any wild animal. My family loved it can't wait to go back.
I was fascinated by my visit to Shy Wolf Sanctuary. The staff is compassionate, and dedicated to the care of these magnificent creatures. The grounds are well-kept, and provide a safe, spacious haven for all.
And the stories! Each of these animals has a story: who they are, where they came from, and how they happened to find sanctuary here. You can’t fail to be impressed by hearing each animal’s life history -- not only where they’ve come from, but also how they are adapting to this home, and how their caretakers continue to provide for them. It’s an evolving process, tailored to their needs.
Hats off to the founders, the staff, and the volunteers of Shy Wolf Sanctuary, for rescuing, supporting, and loving the animals entrusted to their care. Thank you!
Needed mission. Passionate founder. Staff with expertise. Dedicated volunteers. That's just the beginning...what you might not know brings tears to my eyes.
Shy Wolf Sanctuary fits all the categories above. I have had the pleasure of being on three tours through their site. Seeing how relaxed and well cared for these animals are now, it is hard to imagine them as the terrified, injured, orphaned, or abused animals you see in the photographs from when they first arrived.
Seeing them and hearing how many more animals they have helped across the region would be enough to enthusiastically support their efforts. But the impact reaches so much farther. Seeing the transformed lives of wolfdogs can bring hope to those you might not first imagine.
Too many women, men, and children in our wider community have experienced some of that same pain. Imagine being an abused child recently rescued from the terror of that life. So many questions about what life is like or can be. Then introduce that withdrawn and mistrusting child to a wolfdog whose story reads like a mirror to their own, but is now happy, approachable, and loving. It's a living example of hope. The story repeats itself in a woman freed from human trafficking seeing herself in the wolf that was tied up and left for hours at a time, soldiers with PTSD, and families walking the difficult path through loss. Animals can often reach us in ways that are hard to explain, but are unmistakable to see in the eyes of the child.
These wonderful wolves and wolfdogs give back to all those who give to them. Arrange a tour to see for yourself what love can do for hurting souls, maybe even your own. What they have accomplished given the limitations of their site is extraordinary. Plans are underway for a new site which will enable them to expand their work to help more wolfdogs in need and so much more. I look forward to seeing what's next!
This place is incredible! To be so close and interact with such beautiful creatures seems like a dream but this sanctuary makes it come true!
I love this Sanctuary! Came just to visit at first and now eagerly volunteer there as much as I can! Such a magical place to spend your time in and I feel the animals remind us what is important in life! ❤️❤️❤️
i have volunteered at shy wolf sanctuary for over a year. the animals get the best of care. shy wolf spares no expense on the best veterinary care, food .and supplies to give the best of care to the animals .they are truly compassionate about all of the animals. and their mission. the visits are informative and interactive with the focus on education about the care of these animals and there part in our ecosystem. I am proud to be part of the shy wolf family
My wife and I went to visit the sanctuary for my birthday in July. The people were amazing and the experience was by far the best I have ever had. I will never forget this trip. I look forward to returning in the future.
I volunteered with Shy Wolf in high school and have gone back several times to visit with the animals! It is such a great place to visit and an even more wonderful place to volunteer. I always felt like safety was a top priority and I was able to learn so much about wolves, big cats, foxes, etc. from volunteering here!
During our first visit, we knew we had to come back. We’ve been there most every Sunday since. The animals are all so wonderful and building relationships with each one is a unique and special experience. Shy Wolf has been a blessing and we look forward to each Sunday!
Sanctuary: a place of refuge and safety. This is exactly what Shy Wolf Sanctuary does for so many beautiful creatures who were might have been in a home that could not meet their needs or maybe out in the wild and sustained an injury. I "stumbled" upon one of their social media posts, and now I'm hooked for life not only as a fan but a supporter. It's the highlight of my day to see a howl-a-long or caption this picture, and I have learned so much about wolf-dogs and their other resident creatures in the process. In these crazy times we live in, most people are concerned how to spend those precious extra dollars: I'm proud to say I am a supporter, and although it isn't much, I feel I do make a difference in the lives of these beautiful creatures. I wish I lived close to the Shy Wolf Sanctuary so I could become a volunteer. A visit is on my bucket list!
It took almost a year to get to visit this place. All i can say is it was well worth the wait.
Judy's love for the sanctuary and the animals was so evident. The education she gave us all was amazing!
Shy Wolf Sanctuary is one of my happy places! This is one of the most amazing and gratifying non-profit organizations with so much education, which is a huge plus.
All the volunteers have so much love for all of these animals! It’s a first class run organization that deserves a five star vote from anyone who has been there.
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Shy Wolf Sanctuary is an extraordinary place! Working with the animals is absolutely amazing and so rewarding. All of the volunteers are dedicated, wonderful people who put the needs of the animals above all else. Volunteering there has changed my life and I am very grateful that I get to develop relationships with all of our special animals. It is truly a spiritual experience! We give hope and love to animals who have no place else to call home. I am proud to be involved with such a special place!
Best non profit center I’ve been to. Great staff and such a great experience interacting with animals
I first visited Shy Wolf in 2016 and have loved it ever since. The work the team is doing for these animals is incredible and they all have such obvious love and compassion for them. I spend time there almost every weekend helping out because it’s just an incredible environment. I recommend a visit to everyone I know!
So wonderful here, the work they do is phenomenal they are well cared for and the staff is wonderful!
Been there twice in the last several years. An unforgettable experience each time!! Highly recommended!
Shy Wolf Sanctuary is amazing! The staff and volunteers are so friendly and the animals are well taken care of. This place is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend visiting! They are by appointment only, so make sure to book in advance.
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Shy Wolf Sanctuary is an AMAZING non profit organization. Taking in exotic animals that were once abused, neglected, or surrendered over, and giving them a forever home at the sanctuary. The animals that the sanctuary has have all been previous pets of someone, so they had no other place to go and the other option would have been euthanasia.
Shy Wolf stands for being kind to animals, and giving them love and a home that they did not have before. It is one of the best non profits that I know, and am forever greatful that a place like this exists and that I get to be apart of it. I love all the animals very dearly, and they all will remain in my heart forever.
My family had the most amazing visit. The grounds are beautiful and the staff and volunteers were wonderful.
I come down to Naples to visit friends and each time I book a trip we have tried to schedule a visit and we finally got in today and it was amazing, Renee was an excellent guide - she told us the backgrounds of the wolves and wolf dogs and gave us amazing facts about these animals. Truly an outstanding experience and kudos to the owners and volunteers. Great job - can’t wait to see the new place when it’s built.
I love this sanctuary! I wish this was available when I was growing up as a kid! They have such a great educational program! I have rescued wolf/hybrids for over 30 years when I needed advice or vet care for animals that we rescued as well they were their for us! They taught us so much and the love that we get from the animals there are no words that can describe the beauty and commitment from this sanctuary! There dedication is remarkable!
I’m over the moon! I finally got to visit Shy Wolf Sanctuary and I’m so impressed with their care and love for all the animals there. To sit and bond with a beautiful creature like this is beyond amazing. I didn’t want to leave but I will definitely go back. They have purchased a larger parcel of land to give their Wolves, Wolf Dogs, cougar, foxes, coyotes and more larger areas for them to live out their precious lives. It’s going to be a while because of funds and being a non-profit. However, their plans are all about the animals in their care. They will all have larger enclosures, with additional enrichment and even a Cat 5 Hurricane secure building for those times of need here in Florida. The animals were all beautiful and very healthy and seemed fulfilled and happy. I got to bond a bit with Mohan, a Wolf Dog. He loved getting neck scratches and just relaxed next to me for the longest while. I was in heaven. They guides are so involved and give so much information. You can tell they love the animals and caring for them. It was awesome learning about each individual animal and how they came to the sanctuary. The entire wolf pack started a howling session when Mohan was moved from his enclosure after our visit to go to a Vet appt. If you are ever in Naples Florida or nearby, Shy Wolf Sanctuary is a Must See!❤️
My husband and 16 year old grandson, Lucas, visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary on September 28th of this year. We had been to the sanctuary several times and always enjoyed our visit. My grandson had visited the sanctuary with us several years ago. When he made plans to visit this year he asked to visit the sanctuary. That was top on his list!!!! He had a wonderful time, as did we.
Our thanks to Ashley for such an interesting 2 hours. We are loyal supporters of the Shy Wolf Sanctuary and will continue to be.
John and Jean Smith
Lucas Breuer
Shy Wolf Sanctuary is a safe haven for animals and a happy place for people: volunteers and visitors alike.
I have volunteered at Shy Wolf this past year and it has been an incredible experience. I clean enclosures, chop up meat, makes feeding bowls and feed these beautiful animals. It is both my pleasure and honor to be at Shy Wolf Sanctuary and be able to give my time and care for the amazing and loving wolves, wolf dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, prairie dogs and of cause our Florida panther.
All the volunteers share a common goal, love of animals and caring hearts. We all work hard, and rewarded with wet kisses and scent rubs ( which sometimes can give you a new hairdo ). I have learned so much and am grateful to the staff for all the support and teaching that is ongoing.
Amazing and best experience we have had. If I lived in Florida, I would definitely become a volunteer. It's amazing what Shy Wolf Sanctuary has to offer for the animals and the public as well. I recommend this place to everyone I know who is visiting Florida.
I first visited more then 10 years ago and fell in love with the sanctuary. I visit again recently and fell in love all over again. You know a place is special when it attracts so many wonderful volunteers who clearly love the animals. Seeing the animals and how well they are cared for and loved is a great experience that I highly recommend!
Our visit to Shy Wolf Sanctuary was so interesting we came home & told friends/family about our experience, encouraging them to make every effort to also visit. What a caring & devoted group of individuals who care for our 4 legged friends. We look forward to going back with a larger group.
I visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary while vacationing in Florida. Friends we were visiting took us, and I admit that I was not sure I wanted to visit a "sanctuary" for wild animals. As an Animal Control Officer and Animal Welfare rescue volunteer I have seen too many "sanctuaries" that at least disappointed and sometimes horrified me. Shy Wolf Sanctuary blew me away on many critical points and I have been a staunch supporter ever since. First the incredible cleanliness of the entire property impressed me. The layout of enclosures for so many animals on such a small property that still managed to offer comfortable and enriching environments for a variety of species was also impressive to me. The number and quality of the volunteers and staff would make any organization jealous.; I could go on, but I just want to say THANK YOU to the Shy Wolf Sanctuary for the incredible work you all do, the amazing things that your group has done with so few resources for all these years, and for the animals whose lives you have not only saved but improved immensely. I will support you in any way I can and recommend that anyone who can offer support and encouragement please do what you can to help Shy Wolf expand and continue their aweome work. God bless you all!
I have visited there and was very impressed with the dedication of the staff. I began recommending it to my FGCU students as a service opportunity. Every student who has volunteered there has been made to feel wanted, appreciated, and important to the efforts of the Group. They have also learned many aspects of the exotic animal trade and the problems it causes and shared the knowledge with me.
I have visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary a number of times. It is amazing what they are able to do to help animals that have been abandoned or surrendered because someone felt that an exotic pet was for them but was sadly mistaken. The staff is wonderful and it is very evident that they care greatly for the animals and take care of them as if they were their own. I support them yearly as I know that my donation will be put to the best use available to care for these lovely animals.
I took a private tour of Shy Wolf Sanctuary in February 2019 with my sister and her friend. Peg, a volunteer, was a wonderful guide. We spent about two hours at the sanctuary and had the opportunity to interact with a number of animals. Having volunteered for eight years at another wolf sanctuary, and having visited a number of other wolf sanctuaries, I was able to appreciate all of the special accommodations Shy Wolf has for its animals. For example, each enclosure has a house specially designed for the needs and personality of the animals living there. Enrichment opportunities are elaborate and tailored to the needs of each animal. I enjoyed looking at the DNA information posted on the fence of each enclosure detailing whether the animal is full wolf, or if a wolf dog, what types of dog are part of its makeup.
I was very pleased to see how much shade the sanctuary has to protect the animals from the hot Florida sun. Most of all, I was impressed with the enthusiasm and collegiality of all of the volunteers. -Holly
I was part of a social group that toured the Shy Wolf Sanctuary late last year. Before going, I had not heard of the organization and really had no idea of what to expect. I like to say that I went, I saw...and I never left! I was so excited by the sanctuary, with the animals, with the setting and with the obvious enthusiasm and care of the people working there that I went home and immediately applied to be a volunteer. Since becoming a part of the Shy Wolf family, my commitment has only deepened as I have learned about the animals there. The mostly volunteer staff works hard to make sure that the animals are well-cared for and loved. The more seasoned staff spends a lot of time teaching the newer people about wolf (and other animal) behaviors and what to expect and at all times the animals are treated with enormous respect and caring. Shy Wolf Sanctuary is truly a diamond in this world and one that is well worth supporting in any way possible!
Lucky enough to tour this fabulous facility. An experience you will always remember and want to visit many times. Thank you for saving these beautiful creatures.
Absolutely amazing! Knowledgeable guides, gorgeous animals, fascinating stories and info! Melbourne, the "singing dog", is just too darling, and the chance to interact with and touch some of these precious animals is priceless! Will bring our grandchildren the next time!
I loved my visit here. The animals are well cared for and the tour guide had lots of information and answered all of our questions. The panther was gorgeous and we could get very close to it. Being able to interact with some of the animals inside their pens was very rewarding & memorable. For anyone who loves animals you will enjoy the experience.
I visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary many many years ago. It was inspiring! Then when our grandchildren came along, I took them to visit also. We have taken many of our relatives there when they cone to visit from other states. It has always been a unique experience for everyone!
So glad to hear Shy Wolf will become owners of more property to build a new facility! I wish you many years of future success!
Cathy Koch
Shy Wolf Sanctuary is all for the animals, they are cared for, treated with love and respect and taken care of for the rest of their lives. It is supported by some wonderful volunteers who put their all into taking care of the animals. It is a pure run non-profit.
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the very first time I visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary, I was kissed by a wolf! My sister and I went for a visit not knowing what to expect. What we found were hard working compassionate people caring for beautiful, smart, loving animals, who had been abused, neglected and ignored. The founder of the sanctuary, Nancy, was our guide that day, we were in awe of the stories and experiences that she told us about. We were seated in the area they use to let we humans react with a wolf, in walks Tien, a very large beautiful full wolf, he comes directly over to me puts both paws on my shoulder then gives me a big wet kiss! From that moment on Shy Wolf Sanctuary had me hooked. I am now a volunteer 2 days a week and I am their education/events coordinator. My life, my heart, my mind has been enriched by this great place and the wonderful volunteers!
Shy Wolf Sanctuary is the best place for exotic animals, who have lived with other humans and often times have no place to go. These animals are loved, nurtured and cared for in the best possible way. Everyone at ShyWolf give these animals multiple stimuli so the animals never just sit in their habitat, but can interact with, people, toys and many other objects. All volunteers at Shy Wolf LOVE what they do and I am happy to be among them!
A place for abandoned and dumped exotic wildlife to go when their owners will no longer care for them. Their volunteers are wonderful and you can tell from the moment you enter the door the love these people have for their animals!
My wife and I visited Shy Wolf Sanctuary to see the wolves and interact with them. Much to our surprise there is much more than just wolves there !! They have numerous other animals there as well. All the staff & volunteers we had contact with were wonderful. The wolves were so friendly and just wanted to love, which was so easy to give them. We couldn't decide which one(,s) we wanted to love more because there are so many to choose from.. Beautiful place and would love to go back again when I get back to Florida. I would highly recommend to visit there !!!
Shy wolf is an organization that helps the public understand the need for these animals and the trials these animals go through daily in the wild.
They also work extensively with the public in training/teach roles and as an organization that openly accepts help from groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They work hand in hand with my Troop and Pack and give as much as they receive from these youth
What a fantastic experience! The animals are incredibly loved by all and it shows. We had a once in a lifetime experience getting to interact with some of the animals. I cannot recommend this place highly enough!
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I have volunteered with other organizations before, but this by far has been the best experience I’ve had. The facility is kept incredibly clean, and the animals incredibly well taken care of. No matter what your limitations are, the sanctuary can find a place for you and make you feel welcome and needed. I highly recommend Shy Wolf to everyone.
My daughter and I visited the sanctuary early March 2018. My daughter was so excited to be going she just couldn’t wait for the day to come fast enough. We were meeting there as a group from Valarie’s House. My daughter’s father had died as a result of a motorcycle accident just a few months prior to our visit there and it was the first time since his death I saw her not only smile but light up with the anticipation of getting to see these majestic wolves and all of the animals there at the Shy Wolf Sanctuary. We arrived a little early and as we waited for the group and for the tour to begin we could hear inside the gates that much work and preparation was being done behind the fences. We heard people talking and laughing with one another as well. Someone opened the gate and saw us standing outside and invited us inside to wait. It is almost hard to explain how warm and friendly everyone was and how they all went out of their way to greet us and to make sure we were comfortable there. This was only the first 5 minutes there.
Once everyone had arrived we were given an informative introduction about the Sanctuary and got to meet a couple of the animals before the tour began. The tour was nothing short of amazing. Not only was the guide knowledgeable about the animals and their habitats and their nature but he had funny stories to tell that made all the children and adults laugh and learn at the same time. We ended the day with a generous lunch they had provided to our group and they went out of their way to serve us and tended to our needs with the same caring attitude they had shown for each other and their animals there. We learned more as we finished our lunch from different speakers there and the founder spoke to us as well. She had pictures and stories and she told about some of the animals there from past and present. She put things into perspective for us as to how we and the animals are not that different. That we are animals also. We humans could learn a lot from animals. So our time there ended but the feeling we took away from the Shy Wolf Sanctuary has not left us and my daughter still smiles when she reflects on our time there. She wants to volunteer her time and I think that would be an excellent idea for her and I both to give something back to the people there and the wonderful animals who need our support. We live in Lee County so the distance would be far to travel but we are going to find that time to go and offer what help we have to offer. It would be such a wonderful idea to have this facility in Lee County and I believe so many people like my daughter and myself could be forever changed by learning about these awesome animals there. It’s not only an education to the public but it’s an “experience” an uplifting one that will follow you for a lifetime.
