Mission: Wolf — Attraction in Colorado

I wouldn't recommend volunteering here as a newcomer.

Volunteering at Mission:Wolf was a disheartening experience, especially for someone passionate about wolves and eager to contribute meaningfully.

I was right to feel wary of their website's messaging: foretelling what kind of experience I would have there and the experience I thought I would have.

Still, I gave the sanctuary a chance, hoping to find purpose and connection. What I encountered, however, was far from uplifting. Tasks were overwhelmingly unrelated to wolves—building structures, washing cars, and performing other farmhand-like chores. Living conditions were rough to the point of feeling dehumanizing: being asked not to shower for weeks, bringing your own food, cooking in freezing temperatures, and washing dishes outside with a hose in subzero weather.

The isolation and lack of basic comforts might have been bearable if there had been any meaningful connection to the wolves. I did my research. I knew what I was getting into. Instead, wolf interaction felt not just discouraged but nearly forbidden, leaving me bitter and questioning: Why am I here? Who am I doing this for? A volunteer even told me bluntly, “We don’t interact with the wolves much here.” Hearing that repeatedly from the start only served to demoralize me further.

Later, staff mentioned that if I wanted wolf interaction, I “could have just asked.” But that was not the impression I got during my time there. Instead, I felt as though wolf interaction was frowned upon, which only deepened my disillusionment. Volunteers sacrifice so much—time, energy, and comfort—only to be handed tasks that feel disconnected from the sanctuary’s mission. It left me questioning my purpose.

There was one brief moment of fulfillment: when I filled the pups’ water dish in their enclosure. That fleeting moment captured some of the magic I had hoped for—it made me feel proud, accomplished, and connected. But beyond that, it was hard to feel like I was part of the sanctuary’s purpose.

It felt as though they’ve taken the “wolf”—or should I say “woof”? :)—out of the phrase “wolf sanctuary.” For someone who arrived full of passion and a desire to belong to a community, it was incredibly disheartening.

I understand and respect Mission:Wolf’s mission to provide wolves with peace and privacy—it is not a petting zoo, nor should it be. But some level of interaction—whether direct interaction, observing, or assisting with their care—is essential. Such moments remind volunteers why they’re there and help sustain morale. Discouraging this connection entirely only drains enthusiasm and leaves volunteers feeling like outsiders.

After a week, I left feeling like a second-class citizen—disillusioned and heartbroken. A simple “thank you for your help” felt hollow, as it did nothing to resolve my feelings of being overlooked and unwelcome.

The website mentions being part of a community, but I never felt that connection. There really were no morale-boosting activities, no proactive communication, and no clear sense of how I could contribute meaningfully. Interactions with staff were distant and infrequent; they often seemed preoccupied, leaving volunteers to figure things out alone. This lack of guidance and engagement was particularly demoralizing. The sanctuary demands so much yet offers so little in return—be it wolf interaction, community building, or even a sense of belonging.

To any bright-eyed, passionate individuals considering volunteering: Don’t. Not until Mission:Wolf reevaluates how it treats new volunteers.

This is just my experience, but I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else. It seems they’re just looking for a...

Let's review I lived and worked with Mission:Wolf for two months May-July, I can never hold a job so left earlier than the full summer position September. I had good times and bad times to cherish everyday. They could be less clique though, did feel unwelcomed and rejected to be honest despite doing all the best I possibly could out of sheer love. Only staff is allowed, no volunteers though in building I think everyone should be allowed in for fairness stop the clique lifestyle. Volunteers are not treated all that well. Absolutely had to be like everyone else, it's like high school days almost. Everything is about perfection, make mistakes even same more than onces despite learning from it is what being not perfect really means. This perfectionist society drove my absolutely crazy, I was beginning to lose my sanity. Oh and wolves tell you to leave, not the founders or staff. But was told to leave out of consideration many times over my mistakes. If you ask me, they're the ones making a bad impression on the wolves. I'm sure wolves want these type of persons gone. I even told the truth to some visitors may be once in a lifetime for both newly visitor and wolf encounters, but next time some of the wolves may not be around that's reality. The founder and staff backlashed at me for telling the truth. Everytime I come back to wolf mountain another wolf is gone same true for Mission:wolf if I ever return wanna live without having any regrets. Wish I recorded some of these insanity times, cause no one is going to believe me. Especially when founder shamed me several times for asking questions, got weirdly angry when we discussed face to face sharing some perspectives like not being perfect means making mistakes same ones more than once despite learning from them, or cleaning out upstairs of Visitor Center. I cleaned all of it for days, and still shamed over one itty bitty dust left my labor was mistreated. I was exhausted brink of collapse. The wolves didn't kick me out, they knew the founder and staff were not treating me well, and for my sake had to leave. They knew that too. Honestly was driven into depression a couple of times. Out of differences of perspectives and opinions, I left to save my sanity and went camping in Yellowstone National Park for outreach BFC program which also unfit for, but fit for confronting people doing extremely bad things against Buffalo herds. I'm a fit for absolutely nothing, except staying at home going for hikes with my dog and watching/playing Pokemon other tv shows/movies.

But on bright side, I also met so many awesome people and wolves, made with them too!! We gain work experience, shared random laughs, shared adventures, wilderness forest hikes with Minigan and in solitude, everyday something new, learn something about wolves everyday, and made friends with the wolves. I may not understand much facts and education stuff or have any skills at all, but I do understand and have morals, values and one skill is to connect my heart with millions of animals becoming friends! All in all I have mixed emotions about...

We had contacted the sanctuary like the website told us to do the overnight volunteer work. When we got there, they failed to inform us that we needed to fill out a form online and that Monday was a bad day to be there because they had fed the wolves. After the tour and purchasing some merchandise, which I don't regret getting, we were ready to do some work for them. They had us only pull weeds and that was it. No follow up or anything of the sort along with them hiding in the staff only cabin during the rain so we couldn't ask what they wanted us to do next. I appreciated that they allowed us to borrow some equipment to make our food and that they were atleast nice to us. We were then told that we could possibly meet the wolves around dawn or dusk if we were up early enough which, we were. After a very uncomfortable night of sleep we woke up around 5am. They were not awake so, we just listened to the wolves howling in the morning. When they finally got up to give breakfast to the wolves, they just ignored us being up and barely acknowledged us there. We just left at that point without saying anything since they didn't seem to care. I wish we could've been more of help or atleast have been informed that Monday wasn't the best day to come in the first place. We did get to see the wolves but, didn't have a personal experience with them like we had been told we would have on the website. Whats worse is that I had an allergic reaction to one of the plants when pulling out weeds. All down my leg was red spots from a plant constantly stabbing into my legs. Staff did not notice nor care while my friend was urging me to take medication and try to help the reaction settle. It was not a good experience and, even if we had gotten there on a better day, im sure we would've had the same treatment and lack of interaction. Disappointing and not...