When people hear the word Wolfdog they tend to only think of this animal as one thing—a wolf—an animal associated with a lot of fear.

The sanctuary at Howling Woods Farms in Jackson, NJ, is working to break that stigma.

What exactly is a wolfdog?

A wolfdog is a combination of a domestic dog and any type of wolf. Wolves genetics are already incredibly close to a dog. Therefore, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two.

Their mission

This sanctuary rescues abandoned and often abused wolfdogs from all over the country to let them live their lives in a safe environment. The goal of Howling Woods is to educate the public, and to undo what you think you may know about these animals.

When you hear wolf, it’s easy to assume danger. But really, the nature of wolfdogs can be seen through their shy and timid nature. While free spirited, they don’t bother humans.

On your visit

You can call to schedule a tour with the wolfdogs, where you can even go inside the habitats with them. While it’s easy to be fearful of the species, the moment you meet them, you realize the similarities to our loving pets.

The hour-long tour is filled with wolfdog hugs, and a wealth of knowledge about these animals. The nonprofit also visits local libraries, summer camps, and more.

On the big screen

Howling Woods wolfdog’s have been featured in films like Sorcerer’s Apprentice and publications like The Village Voice, Asbury Press, and The Bergen County Record. They even had a televised appearance on The Today Show in New York.

Sanctuaries like Howling Woods exist because people breed these animals and sell them into families without proper knowledge and taking precautions. Wolfdogs also face the threat of sport hunting, which makes them in desperate need of protection.

To learn more about the sanctuary, visit howlingwoods.org.