Wildlife Conservation United States Project #30422

Help Feed Rescued Exotic & Wild Animals in Arizona

by Keepers of the Wild

Help Feed Rescued Exotic & Wild Animals in Arizona

Project Report | Jan 3, 2025
Happy New Year! Big News Inside!

By Lara Kraft | VP, Co-Executive Director, Chairwoman

Celebrating 30 Years of Saving Lives!

As I sit here writing this report, I can't help but be amazed that it is already the year 2025. It feels like just yesterday we were all partying like it was 1999, yet time moves as swiftly as a fox, and here we are embracing a new year filled with endless possibilities and new beginnings.

I am thrilled to share with you the incredible news that Keepers of the Wild welcomed four new rescues before the new year began! We had the pleasure of providing a safe haven for a male mule deer fawn and two African grey parrots, and we are awaiting the scheduled arrival of the last missing wolf hybrid from the Nixon Fire Pack. In less than a week, these beautiful creatures found their way to us, bringing our total rescue count for 2024 to an impressive 36 animals! It fills my heart with immense pride to see how we have achieved this milestone with your steadfast support. I sincerely hope you also share this gratification as we welcome 2025 together.

This year, we have not one but two reasons to celebrate. Keepers of the Wild will be commemorating our 20th year at our Valentine location and an incredible 30 years in operation! These milestones serve as a testament to the dedication and commitment of our team, volunteers, and supporters, who have made it possible for us to provide love, care, and sanctuary to countless animals in need.

As we enter this special year, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead. Every new year brings with it the magic of new beginnings, and I couldn't agree more with the words of author Josiyah Martin, who poetically stated, "The magic of new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all." This is especially true for our rescued animal friends.

I invite each and every one of you to join us on this thrilling journey as we continue to protect and rescue animals, provide them with a safe and nurturing environment, and educate the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Together, we can continue to make a profound difference in the lives of magnificent creatures who are unable to speak for themselves.

I extend my deepest gratitude to all of our dedicated supporters, volunteers, and staff who have made our achievements possible. Your unwavering support is the cornerstone of our success, and we couldn't do it without you.

Here's to a remarkable 2025 filled with new beginnings, extraordinary rescues, and endless opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. Together, we can continue to create a better world.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for the year ahead,

Alejandro "Al"

Darvey & Nouveau

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Nov 20, 2024
Quality Over Quantity: How YOUR Support Saves Lives!

By Lara Kraft | VP, Co-Executive Director, Chairwoman

Dear Friends & Supporters,

As we approach Giving Tuesday on December 3rd, I'd like to share with you our philosophy of quality over quantity and discuss the profound impact your contributions have on fulfilling Keepers of the Wild's critical mission. To begin, it's crucial to highlight that prioritizing quality over quantity is essential in our efforts to rescue and care for animals within our sanctuary.

Although taking in every animal that requires assistance may be tempting, we firmly believe that each saved life should enjoy the highest possible quality of living. This philosophy entails 1. honoring rigorous care standards, 2. limiting rescues to what is sustainable, 3. practicing a no-breeding policy, and 4. adhering to a strict budget that allows us to provide superior nutrition, excellent veterinary services, and attentive daily care for all 150 residents.

Achieving this necessitates an annual budget ranging from $2.5 million to $3 million, depending upon variable factors such as the average individual support cost per animal (including food, supplies, vet bills, habitat maintenance, enrichment, and staff wages). The average annual support cost per animal at the sanctuary is around $17,000!

As a nonprofit organization, KOTW depends on donations, visitor attendance, and gift shop sales to meet these financial demands. We do not obtain any state or federal grants or government support; therefore, every contribution and every visitor plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our beloved animals and the future of the sanctuary.

By working daily to spread awareness, educate others, and advocate for positive legislative changes regarding animal welfare, we can continue our mission of providing the highest quality of care for our residents, but not without your help.

In 2024, Keepers of the Wild saved 32 innocent lives, a record-breaking year for rescues at the sanctuary. Among them were foxes, wolf hybrids, mountain lions, coyotes, a lemur, and a domestic pit bull. Those rescues were possible because of the steadfast support of our donors, sanctuary visitors, and social media friends. Without your faith in our ability to rescue, care for, and protect wildlife since 1995, our accredited sanctuary wouldn't exist, leaving wildlife in need vulnerable to tragic fates.

On behalf of the animals, thank you for your continued support in helping us make a difference in the lives of these deserving creatures and all who have yet to come.

With much gratitude,

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Nov 1, 2024
Howling for Hope: The Nixon Fire Hybrid Pack!

By Lara Kraft | VP, Co-Executive Director, Chairwoman

Neglected. Abandoned. Saved by KOTW!

I have BIG news to share with you! Keepers of the Wild has welcomed ten high-content wolf hybrids from Riverside County, CA, rescued from the devastating Nixon Fire. This rescue was one of our largest, most significant rescue operations to date, and the coordination and effort were immense for all involved parties. The dedication and attention to detail required to save these ten beautiful lives is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services, based in San Jacinto, CA, truly exemplifies heroism, and I cannot praise their team highly enough. The swift, compassionate, and professional efforts they displayed saved over one hundred animals from a critical *animal hoarding predicament—these creatures would have had no hope of survival otherwise. If you haven't seen the complete account on our social media platforms, here’s what transpired:

In July, more than 100 animals from various species were rescued from an appalling hoarding situation in Riverside County, California. Among those were ten higher-content wolf hybrids suffering from neglect and abandonment. The Nixon Fire initiated their rescue; when authorities evacuated the vicinity, they discovered the property was home to the animals with no owner present.

The animals were found in desperate need of assistance while living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions unsuitable for their well-being. Every animal on site was underweight and deprived of food and water. Additionally, it was found that the owner had let several wolf hybrids loose into the surrounding wilderness, raising alarm among residents who responded by reaching out to authorities and even assisting with capturing the animals for their protection. This deplorable scenario underscores the critical importance of responsible, legal pet ownership and emphasizes the necessity for greater awareness surrounding animal welfare concerns.

Several animal rescue groups united to provide healthcare and proper housing for the animals, ultimately striving to find reputable forever homes. It was a long shot, but they prevailed! Riverside County Department of Animal Services reached out to Keepers of the Wild to request the placement of some or all of the wolf hybrids after they received a recommendation from Kele Younger, founder and director of Magic Jungle Wildlife Preserve. KOTW was enthusiastic about this challenging opportunity and consented to take in all ten wolves under our permanent care.

Three weeks have passed since the pack's arrival, and all the hybrids have adapted remarkably well to their new surroundings at the sanctuary. They now enjoy daily access to fresh, high-quality meat instead of dog kibble, a spacious natural habitat for running, playing, hiding, and relaxing, multiple freshwater sources, and pools and den boxes. Additionally, they partake in various enrichment activities each day and receive exceptional veterinary care; thus, the pack has everything necessary for a long and happy life in their new permanent home.

Welcoming ten wolf hybrids into our wildlife sanctuary is a significant endeavor that requires meticulous management, medical supervision, and financial investment. Bringing the Nixon Fire Hybrid Pack into our facility will raise our annual budget by approximately $100,000 to accommodate their dietary needs, healthcare expenses, caregiver salaries, engaging activities and toys (enrichment), and any other requirements they may have.

I urge you to view the heartfelt rescue video (linked below) created by the compassionate and talented videographer Roger Montecinos and to support this vital initiative in any way you can. Whether you spread the word to friends and family, share the story and video on social media platforms, "adopt" a wolf through our sponsorship program, or make a donation, every action taken is deeply appreciated and directly contributes to the welfare of these amazing, innocent beings.

Thank you for your steadfast support. You are among those who have given the animals at Keepers of the Wild a new lease on life, including the Nixon fire Hybrid Pack, and thus, you are also considered a hero in our book.

With much gratitude,

Two hybrids enjoying their new habitat at KOTW

Alpha enjoying his first-ever taste of fresh meat!

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