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Volunteers are first trained in basic wolf behavior, the physical and behavioral differences between wolves and dogs, the unique behavior of wolf dogs and basic care. Safety is a huge concern at WSWS, so before interacting with the animals, procedures are taught on how to enter and exit a enclosure, how to react when an animal challenges you and what to do during a possible animal escape. Volunteers are also trained on the personalities of the individual animals and their backgrounds, so to properly care for them.
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Nutrition and proper feeding are critical to the health of the animals. Volunteers become familiar with several different diets for specific animals, including how to feed them without causing to much stress or conflict. Various animals need medication for different conditions, and volunteers are trained on how to serve medication and soon acquire extensive knowledge on various vitamins and supplements, as well as the conditions they are treating.
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Not all tasks in animal care are pleasant. Volunteers must clean their animals enclosures every day, and then must dump their buckets at the proper location. After feeding animals, the buckets containing the food must be cleaned out and be put away. Water buckets in the animals' enclosures must be washed out every day to remove all sources of algae and dirt. Due to our low sources of funding, we will sometimes receive donations of meat which must be sorted through before serving to the wolves and wolf-dogs. Animals will also sometimes receive injuries, which must be examined and treated.
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Interaction is a vital part for the socialization of the animals at WSWS. Some of our extemely social can be walked, allowing them to stretch their legs. Other animals enjoy toys, which volunteers can prepare using stuffed animals or hard rubber. Volunteers are always encouraged to spend time after work interacting with the animals they care for, as well as socializing new animals to the facility. On ocassions, animals need to be captured to be transported or to be examined by a vet, which volunteers can assist in. Volunteers who stay for more than six months will also be trained in more experienced captures and basic veterinary procedures.
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