History
While we were busy making arrangements to travel to Oregon and pick up two wolves, Sierra and Yukon, a woman named Missy was persistently calling us in hopes that we would rescue Nakota, an animal that had been in her care many years ago. Nakota went through several different homes, and ended up in a county in Oregon where it was illegal to own a wolf-dog. After many problems brought him to the attention of authorities, his current owner was given a week to either find him new placement or have him euthanized. Missy's persistence, passion, and cooperativeness encouraged us, and since we had the room, we decided to accept Nakota along with his mate, Lani, if their owner would meet us in Medford where we were picking up Sierra and Yukon.
How Can I Help Nakota?
It takes fifteen sponsors to provide the basic care for each of our wolves and wolf-dogs for an entire year. This does not include the cost of medication, vet visits, enclosures repairs, or enrichment treats.
Profile
Bio: Nakota is a high-content wolf-dog.
Living Arrangements: Nakota lives with his long-time companion, Lani.
Am I On the Tour Path? "No, I live at the back of the Sanctuary. However, if you are a sponsor of mine and would like to say hello, ask someone in the office if you can come up for a visit."
Personality: Nakota is a shy boy, but under that exterior, is a wolf with an attitude! Nakota likes to test his new caretakers by darting at their legs as they walk around the enclosure. Once he learns that it doesn't scare them off, he begins to warm up to attention. Although significantly larger than his companion, Lani is the animal in charge of the enclosure and Nakota knows he better listen to her.
Likes: "Washing" his caretaker's hands with licks, scent-rolling on meaty bones, and scaring new caretakers.
Dislikes: Male volunteers, his water bucket being touched, and when Lani goes out on a walk.
Fun Fact: The most popular name for wolves has to be 'Lakota'. That was Nakota's name when he first arrived at the Sanctuary, but due to the fact that we already had a Lakota and a Dakota, we decided to change his name to Nakota. Still, volunteers sometimes have difficultly remembering which "-kota" is which. Many volunteers have now realized that an easy way to remember is that if you walk through the compound, the three animals are in alphabetical location - first is Dakota's enclosure, then Lakota's, and finally Nakota in the back.
My Wishlist: "I love my water bucket. In fact, I get a little protective of it when volunteers try to dump out the water. If I had a pond in my enclosure...wow, that would be the coolest thing ever!"
