EDITORIAL: Tenino’s Wolf Haven Erases Past Problems [The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.]

Oct. 01--In January of 2005, the veterinarian at Wolf Haven near Tenino ordered the euthanization of Akela, a 15-year-old gray wolf.

Wolf Haven Director Susan Sergojan refused to allow the euthanization. An employee with the nonprofit wolf sanctuary filed an animal-cruelty complaint against Sergojan, claiming the delay caused undue suffering for Akela.

Sergojan was dismissed from her job. She then countered with charges that employees were improperly caring for the wolves. Several Wolf Haven employees, volunteers and board members quit.

Following a lengthy federal investigation, Wolf Haven was fined $2,750, former board member Mike Peters was fined $2,200 and Sergojan was fined $10,000.

It was a low point for Wolf Haven as it struggled to pay the bills and ward off a tarnished reputation.

The surviving board hired John Blankenship, a biologist and former U.S. Fish & Wildlife deputy regional director, to lead the sanctuary. He was the right hire at the time, helping insure Wolf Haven properly cared for the wolves.

After five years, Blankenship was fired in 2010. The board said it wanted someone with more financial and fundraising experience and success.

After a four-month search involving more than 100 applicants, the Wolf Haven board hired Diane Gallegos, who had worked in nonprofit management since 1999 (including a stint as Habitat for Humanity Seattle South King County as chief operating officer).

She was again the right choice for Wolf Haven for the time.

Running a nonprofit is a specialized job, much different than providing the proper care for an endangered species. Gallegos fit in well with her experience, and degrees in biology and resource management.

Gallegos has increased the viewing opportunities for the public, and created many new events and fundraising activities (just this past weekend she hosted the Wolves and Wine Fall Fundraiser).

It's been about nine years since Wolf Haven was floundering in controversy.

Today, any concerns can be dropped.

Wolf Haven was recently honored as one of only two organizations across the United States to earn accreditation from the American Sanctuary Association (the other being Colorado W.O.L.F.).

The accreditation means Wolf Haven is in good standing in its finances, board involvement, educational outreach and animal care, along with holding the proper permits and licenses. The accreditation process included an on-site inspection from the ASA.

Wolf Haven Communications Director Kim Young said, "It means we're operating under the highest level of care for the animals here."

We call that a howling success.

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