In Wheatland, Wyoming, a distressing practice is unfolding at the Mission:Wolf sanctuary, where livestock are shot to serve as food for the resident wolves. While the intention is to provide sustenance for the wolves, the means of doing so involves shooting live animals, a method that is controversial.

The sanctuary, well-meaning as it may be, offers refuge to wolves, a species often at odds with local agriculture. However, this refuge comes at the expense of livestock that are killed in a manner that many animal rights activists would consider cruel. There's a vivid, disturbing contrast between the sanctuary's mission of providing a safe haven and the method by which they obtain food for the wolves.

The act of shooting an animal involves a violent end as bullets pierce through the forehead, leaving the animal with a violent death. This process is not only traumatic for the animals involved but also troubling for educators, volunteers, and visitors who come to Mission:Wolf expecting to engage in compassionate and ethical animal care and education.  A direct quote from the Website.   

"If you have an animal that has died or needs to be put down, consider donating them to Mission:Wolf. For deceased animals, we require that they have died a natural death or been humanely put down by gun. We cannot accept animals that have been chemically euthanized, or sedated with any drugs — euthanasia and drugs create poisonous meat that we cannot feed to our wolves.

For live animals, we require that they have reached the end of their life and need to be put down. Upon receiving a live animal, we will put it down humanely using a gun."

An alternative exists that aligns with both ethical treatment and effective wildlife management: sourcing meat from animals that have died naturally or by accident. Many sanctuaries and zoos already implement such policies, ensuring they are supporting animal welfare in every aspect of their operations.

Furthermore, providing a sanctuary for these livestock until their natural passing would reinforce the sanctuary's commitment to ethical treatment of all animals and could potentially open dialogues for donations and partnerships with organizations focused on humane animal treatment.

By addressing this issue, Mission:Wolf has the opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating how wildlife sanctuaries can navigate the complex balance between providing for the needs of predator species while upholding humane and ethical treatment. This change will not only protect the livestock but will also align with modern conservation practices that emphasize ethical management and education.

Sign this petition urging Mission:Wolf to revise their practices and implement a sanctuary policy that reflects true compassion for all animals, ensuring both wolves and livestock are treated with respect and dignity.

https://missionwolf.org/expired-livestock

This is cruelty disguised as kindness. Please stop taking in live animals to shoot to feed wolves. Instead of shooting them, offer them sanctuary until they pass away peacefully. I have no problem with feeding wolves animals who have passed away naturally or by accident. Please don't have animals die violently. Being shot in the head and a bullet rip through the seat of the soul is very violent and abrupt, not allowing the soul to move on. It is very traumatic to die from being shot. Mister Rogers would have been horrified to have heard this is how you kill animals. Nicole Corrado