About Us

The story of Shy Wolf started in 1993 with founders Nancy and Kent Smith. They began taking in animals that were not accepted by government animal services, wildlife rehabilitators, or zoos. Their first rescue was a Black Asian Leopard, Moondance.

 

In 2001, Shy Wolf became a 501(c)3 charity with an independent board of directors and volunteers who have helped it grow to what it is today. Shy Wolf Sanctuary is a refuge for a cougar, numerous wolves and wolfdogs, as well as several exotic species of fox from as far South as Brazil and as far North as the Arctic Circle and West as North Africa. Other rescues also include: Prairie Dogs, Florida Gopher Tortoises, Sugar Gliders and a North American Bobcat. Shy Wolf Sanctuary is one of the few places permitted to care for the threatened Florida Gopher Tortoise.

To date, Shy Wolf has rescued over 1,260 animals and provided valuable educational experiences to tens of thousands of human visitors from around the world.


Far more than rescue and sanctuary, Shy Wolf has been offering educational programs and animal encounters for more than thirty years. Educational programs range from peacefully co-existing with wildlife to advocating for the animals that can’t speak for themselves. Additionally, Shy Wolf partners with area nonprofit organizations to provide hope and healing through our Healing Hearts program.


We hope that you will schedule a visit to experience Shy Wolf Sanctuary first hand and join our pack of passionate supporters that are healing hearts and minds for all who come through our gates!


Our Mission

WE HEAL HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH RESCUE, SANCTUARY, AND EDUCATION.

Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center rescues captive-bred exotic and un-releasable wild animals. We then provide a permanent home for those needing sanctuary. The animals we rescue have been either abandoned, surrendered, neglected, or abused. They have stories to share of survival, thriving, learning to trust again, and the healing power of unconditional love. We share their stories in a variety of ways through community presentations, on-site visits, and partnering with nonprofit organizations helping people in our Healing Hearts program.


We work year round to educate the public about the importance of protecting these animals and peacefully co-existing with wildlife. Our Healing Hearts program takes it one step further by sharing our residents’ stories with children and adults who may have experienced neglect, abandonment, abuse, or life's challenges, allowing the humans interacting with them to have hope for the future and what it holds.


Shy Wolf Sanctuary provides a permanent home to over 40 exotic residents and sometimes as many as 50 animals. The wolves and other resident animals are housed on a 2.5 acre property in Naples (FL) and are supported by over 80 active volunteers. Captive-bred exotic animals such as wolfdogs are generally considered unadoptable by domestic animal services and have nowhere else to go. Shy Wolf Sanctuary is literally their last hope.


Every year Shy Wolf networks with other rescuers across the country to assist in saving these animals. Unfortunately the need is greater than the availability and we need YOUR help to expand our services in the future to save more animals.


Our Team

Board of Directors

Operations & Education

Our Founders

“All my life I can remember feeling like I have connected with animals” -Nancy Smith

Not until Nancy was in her 30’s did she feel like she might be able to do something about the suffering of animals…there was nothing in place in 73-74 in Collier County to protect animals from people. Nancy started by collecting over 5,000 signatures from voting residents to establish the need for rules and regulations in Collier County. And there it began….It took 2 years but she did it!

Nancy also worked with Florida’s then state representative, Mary Ellen Hawkins, to get an open range law from 1823 changed requiring ranchers to keep their fences in repair. It took a while longer as the chair of the board of representatives for the state of Florida was a rancher. But they did it!


During this time Nancy was hired as the 1st Animal Regulation Officer of Collier County by the Commissioners.


In 1987, Nancy began volunteering at a sanctuary for exotic animals in Charlotte Co. During 8 years at the sanctuary, Nancy learned as much as she could about operating a sanctuary. She learned what worked and what didn’t work…most of all she learned the most important thing was to operate for the animals and she already knew it had to be from the heart.

Nancy rescued her first exotic animal in 1993, a baby black Asian leopard, who lost one of her legs needlessly because her enclosure was too close to a larger cat’s enclosure. The big cat was able to attack her through the fence. Moondance was Nancy’s baby and went with her everywhere, loving to ride in the van and snuggle in her lap. Moondance lived safe, loved, and happy with Nancy until she passed at 16 years of age.


The first wolves arrived in 1994 from a zoo being shut down for problems with Game and Fish Commission. More and more started coming…


2001 January- Shy Wolf Sanctuary, Education and Experience Center, Inc. officially became a 501(c)3 entity…we survive totally by the generosity of the public.

I truly believe that we are all connected to the earth and each other, and what happens to the earth, and animals, happens to us. And AWARENESS is desperately needed by ALL.

Our Future

JOIN OUR PACK TODAY! 

There are a number of ways to support our Sanctuary:


To learn about naming opportunities and other sponsorships, please contact Lea Ann, Donor Relation And Development Coordinator at Leaann@shywolfsanctuary.org.

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