Wolf Haven International in Tenino completes renovation project to welcome new wolves to sanctuary

In early June, a dedicated group of contractors, volunteers and community members broke ground on the largest enclosure renovation project in Wolf Haven International history, according to a news release from the Tenino-based sanctuary.

The project, which was fully funded by Greater Good Charities, replaced two of the sanctuary’s oldest deteriorating enclosures with a new, larger wolf habitat to house female gray wolf Billie and her new companion.

Born into the pet trade and rescued from private ownership, Billie became a resident of Wolf Haven in 2021.

Wolf Haven says her spunky personality and “one-of-a-kind smile quickly” made her a beloved member of the sanctuary family, but she lost her longtime companion to old age in 2025.

Prior to Greater Good Charities breaking ground, Wolf Haven’s local partners at NW Green Clearing demolished the two old enclosures, while Summit Fence Company constructed a corridor that allowed Wolf Haven staff to shift Billie into a temporary home for the months of May and June.

Then, in the days that followed, Greater Good Charities’ construction team — along with a number of local volunteers and RedRover volunteers — installed over 600 linear feet of specialized 8-foot fencing to enclose approximately 0.6 acres of habitat.

In addition to the main enclosure build, Greater Good Charities also built a new shelter pen and two multilevel enrichment platforms.

“Enhancing the living space of our residents is one of the fundamental ways we fulfill our sanctuary’s purpose of providing the best possible care while raising the bar for wild canid husbandry,” Wolf Haven Sanctuary Director Pamela Maciel Cabañas stated in the release. “Billie is a very active female gray wolf who will undoubtedly benefit from the enlarged habitat and modernized structures — and what better environment to introduce her to her new companion than a fully renovated home!”

Billie’s new companion, Nicky, was transferred to Wolf Haven along with his brother, Cerberus, following the completion of the enclosure construction project on Tuesday, June 30.

Before their 1,800-mile cross country flight, the brothers spent most of their lives at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota — one of the last free zoos remaining in the United States.

But when the zoo began developing a plan to renovate some of its habitats last year, it was decided that the wolf exhibit would be phased out to allow more space for feline species.

Jill Erzar, senior zookeeper at Como Zoo, reached out to Wolf Haven to see if there was room for their wolves to move into a tranquil sanctuary home.

“We are incredibly grateful to collaborate with Wolf Haven on transitioning Nicky and Cerberus from bachelor brotherhood to cohabitation,” Erzar said in the release. “Wolf Haven’s mission very closely aligns with ours, and we are in awe of the work they do!”

Accredited by both the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Wolf Haven has provided a lifetime home to over 325 animals at its sanctuary locations in Tenino and Bridger, Montana, over the years.

Residents can support Wolf Haven International’s work by making a donation at wolfhaven.org/donate, following it on social media @wolfhavenint, and signing up for the email newsletter at wolfhaven.org/#newsletter.