ABOUT

Loki Clan Wolf Refuge

Loki Clan Wolf Refuge was founded in 1993 and encompasses 70 acres, straddling the Maine/New Hampshire border.  It houses approximately 90 wolves and wolfdogs, divided into 25 packs.

At the refuge, the animals are given what founder Fred Keating calls “as close to a natural
life as possible.” Each pack runs free on an acre of land. Every animal is placed in a pack
and homed at the refuge permanently. None of the rescues are adopted out or surrendered.

Since there are almost no parks or wildlife reserves in the United States where wolves are
protected, the refuge provides an indispensable place of shelter. This is why one of Keating's favorite quotes is “if you can not give me a place to live, at least give me a place to die” (Chief Joseph). Keating is also dedicated to seeing that no wolf, outside of the refuge, is ever euthanized or left without a home. Because of Keating’s work, wolves that are not placed with Loki Clan are often transported and taken to other refuges.

Loki Clan has a relentless goal to give wolves and wolfdogs a safe, natural existence. One
should note “safety” is hard to ensure. Just as there are people who want to support and
protect wolves, there are unfortunately many more who believe the myths about wolf behavior.
They pose a continued threat to these animals.

This is why the aim of the refuge is not only caring for its animals but also fair legislation and
education. As wolfdogs are illegal in many states, causing them often to be seized and
euthanized, the refuge is concerned with and active in seeking ways to protect them through
outreach and education. In the end, Loki Clan tries to ensure that wolves and wolfdogs are never
persecuted, furthermore that they are understood as gentle, intelligent and sensitive animals
who ultimately deserve a place in the world.

For More Information

The Christian Science Monitor
Wolfdogs Find Haven in New Hampshire Sanctuary
www.csmonitor.com/2007/0131/p13s01-lign.html

DownEast
Wolf Brother
www.downeast.com/node/5824

Fred Keating (Founder)

Keating’s interest in wolves began nearly 40 years ago when he was “looking for something to believe in.” Born deaf and with a cleft palate, he had a difficult childhood. His physical problems were later, perfectly surgically corrected. However, this experience left him with
a deep understanding and compassion for the marginalized and unaccepted. It also led him to look for something more out of life.

Initially Keating was drawn to study religion. It was not until his exploration of Native American culture that he was struck deeply by the simplicity and beauty of its ethics regarding nature. The culture holds the belief one must accept and honor all things placed
on this earth. There is no such thing as the unaccepted and marginalized, and all have a refuge in nature. Keating also discovered that what is sacred to all tribes, the teacher and
guardian, is the wolf.

As Keating continued his explorations, he realized how uninformed he was about wolf behavior. He found the commonly accepted myths about wolves patently wrong and misleading. Over
time Keating came to understand the intelligence, strength, and capacity of these animals to
form deep bonds. He had found his calling.

Fred Keating adopted his first wolf in the late 1970’s, Loki, for whom the refuge was later named.He then bred Loki to give him a companion. When placing the pups he again noticed how people suffered a deep misunderstanding about wolf behavior. They wanted an “aggressive” animal or a showpiece. Hoping to correct such misunderstanding, Keating began educating and urging people to stop breeding and adopting wolves as pets. As word spread about his interest in wolves, people started giving surrendered and abandoned animals to him.

In 1983, the first refuge was born in Keating’s backyard and quickly expanded. The refuge soon outgrew its location, and Keating moved to accommodate the increasing number of rescues. Then in 1993, he moved to the Maine/New Hampshire border and founded Loki Clan Wolf Refuge.

Keating’s work at Loki Clan has spanned almost two decades.  There is rarely a day that Keating leaves the site, and every animal is socialized by him.  It is not just the care and protection of the animals that he ensures, but their deep bonds with people.  It goes without question that wolves and wolfdogs are his lifelong dedication, and their bonds to people are often owed to him.

 

Links

For those interested in learning about, protecting, and supporting the conservation of
wolves and wildlife worldwide, the following links have been provided.  

WOLF INFORMATIONNational Geographic
Wolf General Info
animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/wolf.html

Wolf Dunn
Info on Hybrid Wolves/Wolfdogs
www.inetdesign.com/wolfdunn

International Wolf Center
Wolfdog Info and Myths
www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/basic/wolves_humans/hybrid.asp

CURRENT ISSUES:  WOLF CONSERVATIONNational Geographic
Reintroduction Wolves Yellowstone
ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/03/wolf-wars/chadwick-text/2

Widlife News
Slaughter Yellowstone Wolves
wolves.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/kathie-lynch-on-the-yellowstone-park-wolves-shot-in-montana-wolf-hunt

Defenders of Wildlife
Conservation Wolves Alaska
www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/imperiled_species/wolves/wolf_recovery_efforts/alaska_wolves/index.php

Defenders of Wildlife
Aerial Hunting Wolves Alaska
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr183lk-wQk

The Humane Society of the United States
Aerial Hunting Wolves Alaska
www.hsus.org/wildlife_abuse/news/aerial_hunting_alaska_082108.html

WEBSITES OF INTERESTYann Arthus-Bertrand
www.yannarthusbertrand.org/v2/yab_us.htm

Asian Elephant Art Conservation Project
www.elephantart.com/catalog/splash.php

Big Life Foundation
www.biglifeafrica.org

Defenders of Wildlife
www.defenders.org

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
www.elephants.com/index.php

Heavenly Huskies
www.heavenlyhuskies.petfinder.org

In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue
www.insyncexotics.com

Lions Tigers & Bears
www.lionstigersandbears.org

Lupine® Collars and Leads
www.lupinepet.com

RedGate Farm Rescue
www.redgatefarmrescue.org

Save Japan Dolphins
www.savejapandolphins.org

Soar Private Air
www.soarprivateair.com

The Wild Animal Sanctuary
www.wildanimalsanctuary.org

Wolf Sanctuary:  Wolf and Wolfdog Rescue
www.wolfsanctuary.net

Thanks to the following organizations who have donated their time and work to make this website available and support wildlife conservation.

LOKI CLAN WEBSITE DEVELOPERSHenry W. Brown
Art Director
www.henrywbrown.com

Dean Chamberlain
Producer / Production Art
www.krop.com/deanchamberlain

Elle
Project Manager/Copywriter/Photographer

Drew Frankel
Developer
www.consultccc.com

P2H
Kick-Off Developers
www.psd2html.com

Rebecca Chamian Ribaudo
Copy Editor

Josh Mead
Website Maintenance
lostpetsla.com

Special thanks to Jim Alberty, Scott Badger, Myrtle Clapp, Dan, Andrzej Polakiewicz (NBC), and VisionCourse