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Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Organization description:CWWC was founded in 1993 as the Wolf Rescue Center by Darlene Kobobel. Actually, it started in 1962 when I was born and I was considered to be of the human species. However, I just wanted to live with dogs, horses and coyotes. All my life I wanted to rescue animals and help them anyway that I could. The turning point was when I was in the 4th grade and a dog strayed onto the playground. I saw some of the school boys run over to the dog, ganged up on him and they started kicking him until he was crying from fear and pain. I ran over to the dog and shielded him with my body as the boys continued to kick the dog and me. I screamed for the teacher and the viciousness finally ceased. I whispered in the dogs’ ear that someday when I grew up I would create a place to rescue animals and I would be a voice for him. I moved to Colorado on February 25, 1993. I started doing some volunteer work at the Divide animal shelter when it was a “kill shelter”. My job as a volunteer was to take dogs down to Petsmart for adoption. The animals that I worked with were ones that had one day left to live. I gathered 4 dogs, put them in my Pathfinder and was ready to head down the mountain pass when I decided to get a water bowl. I opened the door to the isolation room where supplies were kept and to my right in one of the kennels was this beautiful silver gray female wolf dog by the name of Chinook. According to her informational sheet that was hanging on the door, she was only two years old, no prior convictions just guilty of her breed. Not being aware that wolf dogs (aka wolf hybrids) were not available for adoption, I got her leash and decided to take her with me for adoption. At that moment, the animal control officer advised me that she could not go and that she was scheduled for euthanasia. My heart sank and I could not see this animal being put to death so I asked him if I could adopt her as a special favor to me? He told me to go to Petsmart with the dogs and when I got back to shelter if she was still there then I could have her. When I returned, the animal control officer looked down at his watch and told me that if I wanted this animal I would need to take her at that moment which I did. I felt lucky for him to surrender her to me so I was sure not to offer any information as to where I lived such as a 1-room studio cabin that I was renting, had two dogs already and if the landlord were to catch me with this wolf, he would give me less than two weeks to find a home for her or to face eviction. To make a very long story shorter, I found a place in Lake George, Colorado with 8.5 acres. My husband at the time helped me to fence in 5 acres and I decided that I was going to be a “rescue center”. I placed a large sign in my front yard that said; ‘WOLF HYBRID RESCUE CENTER”. I tell people to NEVER say the word “rescue” unless you are prepared to do just that. My first week, I rescued 17 animals and was overwhelmed. I lived at that location for 10 years until 2002 when we endured the Hayman fire which burned over 137,000 acres and forced us to evacuate in 3 hours. We moved to a ranch in Florissant and lived in a horse barn with wolves for several weeks until the new Center was constructed. The lease was suppose to be indefinite however, conditions with the landlord made it impossible to live there and after only 3.5 years of rebuilding, we had to move. All of the money and hard work was gone and I was uncertain of where to go and how to survive. I was on my own, but when I would look in the eyes of those babies I knew I had to find a way no matter what. Chinook was my inspiration before and now she was again. I, by a miracle found a bank president through a sister friend of mine who believed in me and gave me a loan just on my track record for this property. Now the fun started sort of speak. I guess three times is a charm. I signed the papers on the deed in January 2006. This is our final and permanent home. This Center, all of the animal residents you meet, and the education would not be possible without the love of so many volunteers and a beautiful and special wolf by the name of Chinook.” Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the only certified public wildlife sanctuary in the state of Colorado. The AZA is America's leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife. Contact:Darlene KobobelFounder and President P.O. Box 713 Divide, CO 80814 719-687-9742 www.WolfEducation.org |
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