Wolf Haven International
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WOLF HAVEN'S MISSION IS TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT WOLVES AND THEIR HABITAT. WE RESCUE AND PROVIDE SANCTUARY FOR DISPLACED, CAPTIVE-BORN WOLVES, PROMOTE WOLF RESTORATION IN HISTORICAL RANGES, AND PROVIDE A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ABOUT WILDLIFE.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 64
- Highest pay
- $144,580, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.2 million spent. SANCTUARY: WOLF HAVEN INTERNATIONAL IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED WOLF SANCTUARY THAT HAS RESCUED AND PROVIDED A LIFETIME HOME FOR OVER 330 DISPLACED, CAPTIVE-BORN ANIMALS SINCE 1982 UNDER THE MISSION "TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT WOLVES AND THEIR HABITAT." MANY OF THE ANIMALS RELOCATED TO OUR SANCTUARIES (IN BOTH TENINO, WA AND BRIDGER, MT) COME FROM PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, WHILE OTHERS COME FROM ZOOS, ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS, AND OTHER UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS. AT WOLF HAVEN, THEY ARE GIVEN EXCEPTIONAL CARE, QUALITY FOOD, A VARIETY OF ENRICHMENT ITEMS, PROGRESSIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND COMPANIONSHIP WITH OTHER WOLVES. OUR SANCTUARY IN TENINO, WASHINGTON HAS ENCLOSURES THAT RANGE FROM 1/3 ACRE TO 2-1/2 ACRES WITH AN 8' FENCE, 3' TIP-IN, AND ADDITIONAL BARRIERS UNDERGROUND. THIS DESIGN CONSIDERS THE INCREDIBLE DIGGING INSTINCTS AND JUMPING SKILLS OF WOLVES WHILE ALLOWING THEM SPACE TO FREELY MOVE ABOUT. RESIDENT WOLVES ARE TYPICALLY HOUSED IN MALE-FEMALE PAIRS. ANIMAL CARE SPECIALISTS WALK THROUGH THE SANCTUARY TWICE PER DAY TO VISUALLY CHECK ON THE WOLVES, MONITORING THEIR FOOD INTAKE AND ENSURING THEY ARE HEALTHY. IF THERE IS ANY CONCERN ABOUT AN ANIMAL'S HEALTH, OUR ATTENDING VETERINARIAN IS CALLED. IF THE ISSUE CANNOT BE TREATED IN-HOUSE, THE WOLF IS CAUGHT UP FOR EXAMINATION OFFSITE. EVERY ANIMAL UNDER OUR CARE IS TREATED WITH COMPASSION, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY FROM THE DAY THEY ARRIVE UNTIL THEIR END OF DAYS. THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING ARE ALWAYS A PRIORITY, AND THEY RECEIVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND QUALITY OF CARE POSSIBLE. WOLF HAVEN IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION (ASA) AND IS THE ONLY WOLF SANCTUARY IN THE WORLD WITH GLOBAL FEDERATION OF ANIMAL SANCTUARIES (GFAS) ACCREDITATION. IN 2024, WOLF HAVEN WAS AWARDED THE "OUTSTANDING WILDLIFE SANCTUARY" AWARD FROM GFAS.
- $118,898 spent. EDUCATION: WOLF HAVEN INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS ABOUT WOLVES AND THEIR CRITICAL ROLE IN A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM, AND ADVOCATES FOR WOLVES IN THE WILD THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND STATE ADVISORY GROUPS. WOLF HAVEN BRIDGES THE EXISTING EDUCATION GAP BY PROVIDING SCIENCE AND ARTS-BASED PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS GUIDED SANCTUARY AND PRAIRIE WALKS, TO GROUPS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. WE OFFER CLOSE TO 20 IN-PERSON PROGRAMS BOTH ON AND OFF SITE (IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH) IN WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA, AND OREGON, AND PROVIDE VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING AROUND THE WORLD. TOPICS INCLUDE: WOLVES OF THE NORTHWEST, WORLD OF WOLVES, AND VANISHING CREATURES. WOLF HAVEN'S NEWEST EDUCATION TOOL WAS DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CENTER (CSU): A HANDS-ON ,SELF-LED, WOLF-BASED EDUCATION KIT. EXPLORING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FROM THE ANGLE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND WOLVES, THESE KITS COVER A LARGE RANGE OF CANID INFORMATION IN A 90-MINUTE SESSION, FACILITATED BY WOLF HAVEN STAFF OR A CLASSROOM TEACHER. STARTING WITH A LITTLE HISTORY ON WOLVES IN NORTH AMERICA, STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HUNTING, FAMILY BEHAVIOR, COMMUNICATION, ECOSYSTEM ROLES, AND THE VARIETY OF HUMAN PERSPECTIVES ON THESE ANIMALS ALL FROM THE LENS OF A BIOLOGIST. WOLF HAVEN CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH CSU TO DEVELOP MORE EDUCATIONAL KITS, FOCUSING ON A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS. ALL OF WOLF HAVEN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MEET NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS (NGSS) AND OFFER A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE THAT RESPECTS DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY. WOLF HAVEN HOSTS AN ANNUAL THREE-DAY WILDLIFE HANDLING AND CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION COURSE FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH WILDLIFE AND/OR CAPTIVE ANIMALS. THE COURSE IS TAUGHT BY DR. MARK JOHNSON OF GLOBAL WILDLIFE RESOURCES. AS THE FIRST WILDLIFE VETERINARIAN FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE FORMER PROJECT VETERINARIAN FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK'S GRAY WOLF REINTRODUCTION, DR. JOHNSON PRESENTS WORLDWIDE ON COMPASSIONATE ANIMAL HANDLING. IN HIS COURSE WITH WOLF HAVEN, STUDENTS LEARN HUMANE METHODS OF ANIMAL HANDLING, CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION MONITORING VITAL SIGNS, AND RADIO COLLARING TECHNIQUES. WOLF HAVEN HAS HOSTED THIS ANNUAL COURSE FOR 21 YEARS AND IT REMAINS THE ONLY COURSE IN THE U.S. THAT OFFERS A HANDS-ON IMMOBILIZATION LAB WITH WOLVES.
- $100,903 spent. CONSERVATION & PRAIRIE RESTORATION: WOLF HAVEN PARTICIPATES IN TWO FEDERALLY MANAGED RECOVERY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED HEALTH AND SURVIVAL OF TWO ENDANGERED WOLF SPECIES: THE AMERICAN RED WOLF AND THE MEXICAN GREY WOLF. WOLF HAVEN IS A CAPTIVE BREEDING FACILITY FOR BOTH PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS A PRE-RELEASE SITE. PRE-RELEASE ENCLOSURES ARE DESIGNED TO PREPARE THE WOLVES FOR LIVES IN THE WILD. INTERACTION WITH HUMANS IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM AND MOST OBSERVATIONS ARE DONE VIA REMOTE CAMERA. TEN LITTERS OF MEXICAN WOLF PUPS AND FIVE LITTERS OF AMERICAN RED WOLF PUPS HAVE BEEN BORN AT WOLF HAVEN AS PART OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RECOVERY PROGRAMS. TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 24 WOLVES FROM OUR SANCTUARY HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO THE WILD: TWO RED WOLVES INTO THE RECOVERY AREA IN NORTH CAROLINA, TWO PACKS OF MEXICAN WOLVES INTO THE APACHE NATIONAL FOREST IN ARIZONA, AND ONE PACK OF MEXICAN WOLVES INTO MEXICO. WOLF HAVEN STAFF SERVE ON WASHINGTON'S WOLF ADVISORY GROUP, WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2013 BY WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE TO SHARE A BROAD RANGE OF PERSPECTIVES THAT CAN HELP INFORM WDFW'S ONGOING WOLF MANAGEMENT EFFORTS. IN ADDITION, IN 2024 WOLF HAVEN LAUNCHED A NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAM CALLED "WOLF WISE COMMUNITIES," WHICH UNITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SOUTHWEST WA TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBLE NATURAL RETURN OF WILD WOLVES TO OUR LOCAL LANDSCAPE. THROUGH CONVERSATIONS, COLLABORATION, AND EXPERIENTIAL EXCHANGES, THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO: 1) UNDERSTAND THE WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE PERCEIVE WOLF ISSUES 2) IDENTIFY SHARED GOALS 3) EXCHANGE RELIABLE INFORMATION 4) BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS 5) CULTIVATE A SHARED SENSE OF OWNERSHIP OVER THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND ITS OUTCOMESIN ADDITION TO OUR WOLF SANCTUARY, WOLF HAVEN'S ACREAGE INCLUDES 36 ACRES OF RARE MIMA MOUND PRAIRIE, 8 ACRES OF GARRY OAK/CONIFER WOODLANDS, AND 8 ACRES OF WETLANDS. THIS MOSAIC OF HABITATS MAKES UP THE PATRICK VANCE DUNN MEMORIAL PRAIRIE, WHICH OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESTORATION AND REINTRODUCTION OF REGIONALLY RARE SPECIES. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ON OUR PRAIRIE ARE CONDUCTED THROUGH WORKING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE, WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, USDA NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, AND BLACK HILLS AUDUBON SOCIETY. WOLF HAVEN'S PRAIRIE HAS SEEN A REMARKABLE RESURGENCE OF NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA. BY REGULARLY REMOVING INVASIVE SPECIES, LIKE SCOTCH BROOM, AND CONDUCTING PRESCRIBED PRAIRIE BURNS, MORE THAN 190 PLANT SPECIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. 332 MAZAMA POCKET GOPHERS HAVE BEEN RELOCATED FROM SITES UNDER DEVELOPMENT TO MOUNDS ON OUR PRAIRIE AND AT LEAST 54 SPECIES OF BIRDS HAVE BEEN SIGHTED. BAT BOXES ON SITE ARE HEAVILY USED BY NATIVE BAT POPULATIONS. WOLF HAVEN'S PRAIRIE IS ALSO A PROPOSED REINTRODUCTION SITE FOR THE RARE TAYLOR'S CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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