King City California Rescue

My 1st Big Rescue

A breeder in California was downsizing due to health issues and needed to rehome four wolves and wolfdogs. Wolve’s beautiful souls fill me up! So, every time there is an opportunity to rescue one more in need, I jump up and down excited to take it on! This was my 1st big rescue! Not having real experience with what it takes to rescue these special animals, this is what I learned. Rescues are hard, expensive, a test of endurance, being ready for the unexpected, and emotional. A very experienced WolfWood human would say “it’s a marathon, not a sprint”. This rescue story was all that!!!

The first huge step was preparing for the trip. This included

• Prep and maintenance of our diesel truck and 9000lb specialized animal trailer

• Packing for the expected (tools, mister fans, water, buckets, first aid for the animals, backup gear, and much more)

• Packing for the unexpected (tires, more tools, parts)

• Hotels and food for at least two days

• Plans for caring for our current 57 resident animals

• Backup plans for potential fire evacuation

• Snacks and food for the road

• Plenty of extra sleep and preparing for record temperatures!

This was just a fraction of the things that the WolfWood team had to do to prepare for the rescue!

Next was pulling the trailer to King City California across three states, up steep grades, through the Mohave Desert in record high temperatures, with record diesel gas prices. Diesel trucks pulling heavy loads can’t travel at regular vehicle speeds. Pulling a 9000lb trailer lowers gas mileage and range requiring frequent and calculated gas stops. Safety and monitoring a well functioning truck and trailer was critical before picking the animals up! Unexpectedly, the engine light came on and required diagnosis at our first stop in Kingman, AZ. We had to research the issue and weigh our options! Thanks to our WolfWood road team, Keith by phone, and one

available local Kingman mechanic, the part was found and the repairs were completed. It didn’t require an additional night stay in Kingman, but it did result in a 5hr delay and an extra $400. After a long late drive through 118 degree temperatures, and a rally stop at In-N-Out Burger, we made it to our King City hotel around 1am. Now for a quick snooze and a 9am start for the property. Almost forgot, we had to monitor a fire start 7 miles from the refuge along the way!

Now to the good part right, the wolves! Wait a minute! Someone is losing their animals.

Someone is rescuing the animals. And the animals themselves are feeling the exchange. Each animal required their own 􀆟me and plan. The 1st animal, a sweet young black male, was loaded by the owner. The second animal, a smart young white female, decided to take a couple laps around the property on her own time. The third, a watchful mature brownish female Ayla, needed the trailer a little closer. And beautiful stunning Voodoo needed us to stop, slow down and rethink our approach! After some amazing gentle slow wolf whispering, Voodoo was loaded next to his beautiful Ayla. Ayla laid right beside him soon to be reunited. After three hours of loading and some paperwork we were on our way home. The animals were stunningly beautiful. Their unique personalities already shining through. We had a long drive ahead through record heat. These beautiful animals were now in our hands. Colorado was a long way

off!

We set off driving straight through the night with temperatures still 105 to 110 degrees through the Mohave desert. At each stop we wet the animals down with mister fans, water and ice while stretching our legs. We put ice in their water buckets and placed a bag of ice on the floor of each travel pen for the wolves to lay on and cool themselves. The young white female loved showing us her smarts by tipping and shredding the water buckets! The young male was so sweet eating my treats while I wasn’t looking. Voodoo was comfortable next to his Ayla. The two of them were very close. Through it all the animals rode well. 22 hours of straight driving, stops every 2 to 3 hours.

As the sun came up, the Colorado mountains were on our horizon. The WolfWood caretaker and volunteer team went into action prior to our arrival! Food, water and pools were set up and filled. A separate enclosure was created for Voodoo to reunite with his Ayla. The animals started gettng restless ready to reach their new home. Upon arrival, each animal was moved carefully from the trailer to their new enclosure and reunited. They were excited and loved being back together, exploring their new enclosures and pools! After over 3 hours, the animals were in their temporary enclosures. I forgot to eat or sleep. The well-being of the animals was a sustaining focus! It was time to lay it down, collapse and refuel. Then, get up and do it again, to watch each animal blossom and thrive!

Rescues are demanding (over 40 hours of driving, hot temperatures). It engages and taps all of WolfWood’s resources and experience. Rescues are expensive, $1500 per animal totaling over $6000. These animals needed a new home! We were the right place for them! To be an integral part of this rescue, these animals, this refuge is the greatest gift!

Stay tuned! There are still many steps to their journey.

Grateful Volunteer Tami

August 12th, 2026

My prior post talked about the actual rescue. Today I want to highlight the four animals we rescued. Wolves are cautious by nature, especially of new situations, sounds, and routines, so each animal needs time to assess their new environment and settle in. They will each go through a physical exam and be spayed and neutered in the next couple weeks. We kept each pair together. The young Lily & Lynx and the stunning Ayla & Voodoo!

Lily & Lynx

Lily (Lilith) is an 18 month old young white female. She is very smart, athletic and excels at independent problem solving. She will be fun to keep up with!

Lynx is an 18 month old young black male. He is very sweet, his brightness and light striking.

These two have been together since they were very young and are active, engaging and quite the dynamic duo! We are hoping to make them ambassadors educating the public about wolves and wolfdogs.

Ayla & Voodoo

Ayla is a 6 year old brown multi colored female. She is very photogenic! She watches over everything and is very bonded to Voodoo.

Voodoo is a 3 year old large black male. He is stunning, sensitive and mystical. His name is very fitting. He likes things slow and easy. And has a sweet shyness about him.

These two are happy to be reunited and are often walking together and lying next to each other. Both of them love their pools a lot! Voodoo’s pool is his favorite safe space making it hard to share. So, a second pool will be added so both of them can enjoy cooling off at the same time. It will be rewarding to watch these two emerge from their shyness.

Find the animal bios under "Resident Animals", Ayla, Lily, Lynx, Voodoo.