In June 2011, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary was created to drive public awareness and education surrounding wolfdogs and wolves in the wild. We welcome visitors to come and experience our wolfdogs in person and learn about their unique nature, how we can reduce backyard breeding of these animals and the connected importance of wolf conservation. Our Sanctuary is located on 160 acres of land near Cochrane, Alberta and is home to a variety of wolfdogs that have been neglected, abandoned, or otherwise displaced, all with different wolf content levels.
Our mission is to provide rescued wolfdogs with a meaningful and fulfilled life, while offering experiential education to promote the well-being and understanding of wolfdogs within our domestic world. By cultivating authentic connections between our wolfdogs and people, our goal is to inspire an appreciation for wolves in the wild and reconnection to our natural world.
As we move forward, our vision is to create a community of people who can inspire a passion for wolfdogs and wolves while cultivating a deep intrinsic love for our natural world. We see a future where wolfdogs can serve as the vital link between humanity and nature, wildlife and domestic life; where each of these unique realms is valued, respected and can exist in harmony with one another.
This documentary captures how the Sanctuary came to be by highlighting Georgina and Kuna's journey which led Georgina to start Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.
Produced by Sightline Studios
Directed by Jason Smith
Cinematography by Jason Smith
As the popularity of wolfdogs as pets grew in Canada, Georgina De Caigny identified the need for a knowledgeable and experienced rescue organization that would make the rehabilitation and rehoming of displaced wolfdogs a priority.
Georgina got her first wolfdog in 2009, and quickly realized the challenges wolfdog owners faced and how different they are than a typical domestic dog. She also realized how difficult it was to find accurate information about wolfdogs of varying content levels and which factors ultimately affected how wolfdogs relate to humans.
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary team is made up of passionate animal lovers who all share a common goal of educating the public about responsible wolfdog ownership and the importance of wolves in the wild. Through bonding and caring for the wolfdogs that reside at the Sanctuary, we make it our mission to share their stories and help others to connect with their majestic and wild nature. We are always keen to welcome unique individuals who are passionate about animal welfare and love sharing their knowledge and stories with the public. If you'd like to apply for our Interpreter & Animal Care Specialist Position, you are encouraged to learn more by clicking the button below. Have some other skills that you think could be an asset? Be sure to include them in your application!
The Sanctuary got its name from Mt. Yamnuska which is the mountain closest to where the Sanctuary was originally located within the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This is the area Georgina grew up in and is the area where our first wolfdog Kuna spent a lot of time exploring with Georgina. Yamnuska is derived from a Stoney Nakoda word meaning ‘wall of stone’.
