Because it has been a while since the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Team has spoken to the COVID-19 situation and its effect on our operation, we wanted to take a moment to provide an update.

As of the date of this post, New Mexico’s governor has mandated that all non-essential businesses, such as ours, remain closed until further notice. The first order was placed back in March, and it has since been extended for an undetermined amount of time. While certain restrictions in other counties in New Mexico are being lifted, McKinley and Cibola counties, where we are located, still have these restrictions in place. Regardless of the mandate, however, it is important for the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Team to share information pertaining to our neighbors.

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is located in the very remote community of Candy Kitchen, New Mexico, and our direct neighbors include the Navajo Nation as well as the Zuni reservation. Both populations have been severely effected by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Native American officials have cracked down on restrictions and regulations to ensure the safety of the Navajo and Zuni people. One such restriction included a 57-hour curfew that started 8:00 PM (MST) on Friday until the following Monday morning where no out-of-state traffic was allowed. This was only just lifted, but there is an evening 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM curfew every day that still remains in effect. Because visitors must travel Native American roads to reach Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, guests cannot and should not plan visits to us to help ensure the safety and health of our dear Native American neighbors. Violators of this curfew will be fined by Native American authorities.

Not only is the Navajo Nation, in particular, struggling but McKinley County, which is home to Gallup, New Mexico, (one of the main city-stops on the way to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary from the west) has been hit hard with COVID-19 cases. In fact, per capita, McKinley County had the most corona virus cases in the country for a little while. Until the surrounding areas start to improve, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary will not re-open to the public.

However, when the time finally arrives when it is safe and responsible to open our doors again to our visiting public, there will be protocols in place to ensure the safety and health of not only our small team but of all those who journey to the sanctuary. Please note that one important protocol details that our Standard Tours will be by reservation only, and no specialty tours will be available until further notice.

Thank you all so much for the continued love and support! We hope that each and every one of you remains safe and well during the craziness of 2020. To all of our Howling Supporters who have continued to like, share, donate, and spread Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s mission of Rescue, Sanctuary, and Education throughout these difficult times: HOWLS OF THANKS! We could not continue to thrive or provide the best possible care to our rescues without your kindness and generosity.

As soon as Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is able to re-open to the public, we will make an official statement on our social media platforms as well as on our website: www.wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org. So, be sure to keep an eye out!

To stay up-to-date with our rescues and the team, always feel free to check out our weekly, “Peek Into the Pack” blog.