Home Away From Home



Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge, a non-profit organization in Nicholasville, Kentucky, is a wildlife sanctuary for the rehabilitation of many different animals, including wolves, deer, pigs, and coyotes. These animals have been taken from abuse or neglect cases and are given the care they need at Wolf Run. All of the workers at Wolf Run are dedicated volunteer that strive to live out the mission of “giving life back to the wild through educations, rescue, rehabilitation, release, and lifelong sanctuary.” The woman I will be working closely with, Savannah Massey, has been a volunteer at Wolf Run for several years. Wolf Run is regulated by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce, so they have to follow rules in order to keep the animals safe.



Wolf and Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge

                On the organization’s website, many opportunities can be found to help out the animals of Wolf Run. One of the easiest ways is to donate. Wolf Run relies on these donations and the services from surrounding neighbors such as Green Tree Animal Clinic and Clays Mill Veterinary Hospital. A great way to get involved at Wolf Run would be to take a field trip and learn all about the animals. In order to get the name of “Wolf Run” out into the community, the wolves have done photo shoots including one for Tribal Kelly, a clothing line in Nashville. People from the community can even get their own pictures taken with the wolves on special days.



                I am very excited to get to work with this organization. My first day is September 18. I will be expected to help take care with the animals and do jobs such as feeding them and building fences, while also learning the fundraising aspect of Wolf Run. I was told to be ready to work!



What is Wolf Run's purpose?

Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge is an organization in Nicholasville, KY which serves as a wildlife refuge or sanctuary for animals who have been abused, neglected, or illegally owned. Most of these animals include but are not limited too: wolf dog crosses, coyotes, horses, deer, and wild cats. They strive to provide excellent care and protection for these animals who have found themselves in the wrong situation. Wolf Run demonstrates an obvious passion for wild animals in need as they are a non profit charity which is run only by volunteers. They also do their best to have the animals in an environment  similar to what they would have in nature by providing them with lots of room to run and just be an animal. 

Wolf Run has many opportunities for the community to be involved even if they don't have the time to volunteer by making donation whether it is money, blankets, toys, and more. They also involve themselves in the community by providing educational opportunities for children to learn more about wild animals and what they can do to protect nature. 

Wolf Run's website provides the public with awareness and information of what to do if you come across an animal that you believe is in need of help or care. They provide examples of what to do, what not to do, and who to contact. Many people are misinformed about animals in nature and Wolf Run does an excellent job of explaining and educating the public.

It is obvious that Wolf Run's goal is to do everything possible for animals in nature from nurturing their own residents to educating children about how to prevent animals from being in danger. They provide a place for these beautiful animals to go to recover and live out a happy life if they are not able to return to the wild. 

Wolf Run's mission statement is, "To give life back to the wild through rescue, rehabilitation and release. We accomplish this through education, awareness, and by the numbers of animals we place back into the air, water ways and forests." A refuge is a place of protection, shelter, and care away from danger or harm and Wolf Run is just that. To learn more about Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge, visit www.wolfrun.org.

Wolf Run's Passion

Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge is an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and in many cases, rehoming animals in the Nicholasville/Lexington, Kentucky community. In a world where bigger is considered better, an increasing number of people have purchased (legally and illegally) exotic or wild animals to keep as pets, then subsequently abandoned or abused those animals when it becomes clear that the care necessary for them is beyond that of a normal domestic animal. Wolf Run provides a home for such animals when there is no other hope for them. The most common result of an unsuccessful relationship between an owner and wild animal is euthanasia or abandonment. These innocent animals are left on the streets, in the woods, or in a kill shelter due to the irresponsibility of individuals. It is clear that the people at Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge are passionate about ending the suffering of animals who are born and raised to live in the wild. At my orientation this morning, the volunteer who introduced me to the routine at Wolf Run knew each animal's name, history, and personality. The connection between the volunteers and the animals is unique because although the animals are for the most part wild, they trust certain individuals enough to come and eat food in their presence, or even lie down. When a wolf, bobcat, or other wild animal lies down into a vulnerable position while near a human, it is displaying the trust it has in its environment and those surrounding it. At Wolf Run, volunteers spend time watching the animals, petting those that are domesticated, feeding, cleaning the runs, and gaining trust of the rescue or abuse cases. Although the organization is small and nestled away in the hills of Nicholasville, its mission is not hidden, and its volunteers are proud to be a part of the program.

The Wolf Run Cause

               Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge has been providing sanctuary to wild animals since 1993. Their website details the generosity of its volunteers and financial contributors-since this non-profit organization is run solely on volunteers and donations. Because of these people, Wolf Run is able to provide care and a temporary home for injured or displaced animals.  Though they are not open to the public, the Refuge accepts help from many volunteers and, on special occasions, will showcase the work of these hardworking individuals to promote the cause that Wolf Run works for. The organization has had articles written about the care they provide for wild animals of all types in magazines such as Cosmo,Allure, Vogue and has also been featured in several documentaries.

Wolf Run mascot, courtesy of the Facebook Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge Fanpage

My first day at Wolf Run will be Friday, September 18. I was told to prepare for hard work and dress to get dirty! I am so excited to be a part of the work that Wolf Run does.