Wolf Sanctuary Threatens To Kill Their Remaining Endangered Gray Wolves If Denied Permit To Reopen

Last week, a complaint was submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) urging the agency to investigate an animal facility, Predators of the Heart, also known as ‘Because We Matter Exotic Animal Rescue,’ following horrific allegations that include the killing of approximately nine endangered gray wolves.

The facility has already been stripped of its permit to remain open to the public after multiple violations of the law. The complaint, that was filed by Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), also seeks action by the FWS to enforce the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to prevent additional deaths of endangered gray wolves at the facility in Anacortes, a town in northwest Washington. 

During the public process, Ashley Carr, the owner of Predators of the Heart, admitted to killing approximately nine endangered gray wolves — without federal or state authorization — as part of a “business decision.” Even more disturbing is that the owner has now threatened to kill the remaining endangered wolves held at the facility due to lack of funding. The owner said that she “may be forced to euthanize up to 80%” of the animals at her facility if a Special Use Permit is not granted by Skagit County.

The endangered gray wolves at the facility have been repeatedly kept in inappropriate enclosures and have seemingly exhibited abnormal behavior, which is likely the result of unacceptable conditions of confinement. 

“The Fish and Wildlife Service should take seriously Predators of the Heart’s threats to kill wolves given their history of taking similar actions in the past. These wolves must receive the full protection afforded to them by the Endangered Species Act to keep this already imperiled species safe from harm,” ALDF Staff Attorney Cristina Kladis told WAN.

The ESA protects endangered animals, including gray wolves in western Washington, from being harmed, harassed, shot, wounded, killed, or otherwise “taken.” These protections extend to gray wolves kept in captivity, such as those at Predators of the Heart.

As of October 18th, 2023, Predators of the Heart housed 15 gray wolves at its facility. Although the facility has referred to some of their resident wolves as “wolfdogs” and “wolf/dog hybrids” at various times, expert genetic testing of wolves bred and born there reveals that they are endangered gray wolves and thus subject to the protections of the ESA.

“Wolves are keenly intelligent, feeling beings with complex family lives that closely mimic our own. They deserve to live the best lives possible, and tragically, many are not. How cruel that a facility marketed as a safe place for wolves is anything but,” said Regan Downey, Director of Education for Wolf Conservation Center.

“The actions of Predators of the Heart are horrifying and unacceptable,” said Leslie Williams and Samantha Attwood, founding members of The #RelistWolves Campaign. “The FWS should immediately remove these wolves from the custody of this facility. We have landmark protections like the ESA precisely for situations like this, and we should not wait until it’s too late to use them.”

According to The #RelistWolves Campaign, over 4,000 wolves have already been brutally killed in the wild since 2020. It is clear wolves are severely under threat in our nation, and now, we have facilities like Predators of the Heart, who are supposed to be a safe haven for wolves, killing them and threatening to kill the remaining.

TAKE ACTION by contacting the FWS and urging them to not only investigate and prosecute Predators of the Heart, but to also remove the wolves immediately and send them to an accredited sanctuary, HERE!

You can also TAKE ACTION by calling FWS directly at 1-800-344-WILD.

Help protect grey wolves in the U.S. HERE!