The Denver Post
www.dpo.com

By Coleman Cornelius
January 3, 2001

The Larimer County commissioners on Tuesday yielded to a controversial wolf shelter and agreed to let the overpopulated refuge gradually reduce the number of animals it harbors through natural death.

Under an agreement to be finalized Monday, the commissioners will order the founders of Wolves Offered Life and Support to limit the number of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids at the facility to 30 - the same limit set in December 1999.

But the shelter, which now has 42 animals in Rist Canyon west of Fort Collins, will be allowed to reduce its numbers as the animals die. That could take several years or longer.

Frank and Pat Wendland, founders of the 6-year-old sanctuary known as WOLF, failed to meet a one-year deadline for the 30-animal limit and had worried that the commissioners would order the closure of their secluded shelter. Had it been shut down, the Wendlands might have been forced to euthanize some or all of the animals.

The founders were ordered to explain their noncompliance at a Tuesday landuse hearing with the commissioners.

Kathay Rennels, one of three elected commissioners, said the board is between "a rock and a hard place" because the shelter has continued to accumulate unwanted wolves and wolf-dogs in violation of county regulations and the earlier authorization that capped the number of animals at 30.

Pat Wendland admitted that a wolf-dog died at the shelter last spring and was replaced with another animal because the dead creature's pen partner was "grieving."

Yet the Wendlands, joined by about 100 supporters, persuaded the commissioners that they cannot relocate their three pure wolves and 39 wolf-dogs because other refuges are full.

They have refused to destroy animals because it is contrary to their mission of saving unwanted wolves and wolfdogs bred in captivity by irresponsible traders.

"We are relieved that the animals can stay and live, but there are still a couple of hurdles to go through. We need to establish trust so they know we won't bring in any more animals," a teary-eyed Pat Wendland said after the hearing.

Several neighbors at the meeting were incensed that WOLF is getting what they called "special treatment."

Neighbors have complained about noise, traffic and safety since the shelter opened.

"Humane societies have to get rid of animals all the time," said Jayne Johnson. Her husband, Glenn, added, "Everybody has problems. Why are they so special that they don't have to abide by rules or laws?" Another neighbor, Karen Schoondermark-Salaz, said WOLF has no legal right to use the private road that runs to its property. The family has granted road use to other families in the area as a courtesy, but WOLF has abused the privilege, she said.

Legal conflict still looms on the road issue, Schoondermark-Salaz said.