Howling Woods Farm

Great place with a friendly staff. All of the wolves are so playful. Had a great experience here. Our tour guide Michelle was very knowledgeable. I will definitely be back

Howling Woods Farm is a unique one hour experience I would definitely recommend to anyone, especially who loves dogs, who wants to learn more about wolf dogs, or wants to try something interesting. In order to visit them, make sure you call to schedule a session to visit them. I was a little skeptical with a few mixed reviews I read while researching, and like many other reviews before me, I did in fact find that the scheduling process was a little abrupt and rushed but otherwise the actual tour was amazing.
My particular tour session had an estimation of 12 people plus their volunteers. After signing a waiver, the tour guide person takes you through the multiple fenced areas, explaining and telling stories about the facility, the scientific knowledge of what qualifies as a wolf dog, and of course, each of the canine’s stories with numerous chances (trust me on this one) to take that perfect photo. I couldn’t help but laugh because the wolf dogs knew exactly where to pose as they were given their treats and were ready for the camera. We saw about 8 – 10 beautiful wolf dogs total, and they were really friendly to everyone on our tour.
They don’t pressure you to donate more than required or buy anything from their gift shop like many nonprofits do which is nice. Overall, everyone was super informative and friendly, and it’s ultimately all for great cause, even if you plan to just go for that Instagram pic (you and I both know you were thinking that, just admit it). I would definitely recommend a trip here to visit and/​or volunteer. Spread the word and spread the knowledge of wolf dogs!

This is a great place… very popular so call ahead and make sure you are on the list. HOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLLL!!!

Place is amazing. What Leo O. wrote is super passive aggressive and just silly. if they werent wolf dogs or a huge percentage wolf you would never be allowed in the pens with them under any circumstance. I feel like Leo O had some idea he would be face to face with real live wolves and he was disappointed when he didnt get that. Go for yourself and enjoy. They may look like a husky but they are very much still wolves and a lot strong and bigger than any dog you would ever have.

This is the first wolf (dog) sanctuary I’ve ever been to. I had a 2PM appointment which I was going to be late for and they easily accommodated me with a 3PM tour. The «suggested» donation is $ 20. These wolves have a a good amount of dog DNA, which makes them fairly well trained and they seemed to be willing to take (as the workers there stated) «wolf selfies».
Great place to learn about wolves and to get a few memorable pictures of yourself with wolves.
Side note — I was with a group of 7 women (not including the two women that worked there). I was the only male on the tour and every time I tried to get a selfie while kneeling next to a wolf, it would just walk away. The wolves might not have liked the smell of my testosterone.

Came here over the weekend with a group of 4 people. It’s fairly easy to drive to this location but you can easily miss it because the sign on the front lawn isn’t very big. My first impression upon arriving was that it’s a fairly small compound. Especially when comparing it to Lakota Wolf Preserve. Even after the «tour», I still felt that their compound was too small for the amount of hybrid wolf dogs they have.
Cost of entry is $ 20 and they do accept credit cards.
One good thing is that the knowledge they try to convey to you was on par with the Lakota Preserve. Only information I have a contention with was when one of their «wolf dogs’ was rubbing himself over the owner. They said that he was trying to hide his scent. While this may be true, I think the possibility of the dog marking is territory is also in the realm of possibility. I think it should have been told in a more theoretical sense. There’s no clear evidence that one is more correct than the other.
From the look of their wolf dogs, all of them have very low content of wolf in them. Definitely more than 80 or even 90% dog in them. Reason I say that is because they bellied up and even allowed you to pick them up on all fours. I think any self respecting higher content wolf dog (~50%) would not allow you to do that, no matter how much time you’ve spent with them.
The staff were friendlier in person. While waiting, I overheard a conversation with what I presume the caller wanted to inquire about rescuing one. I felt that the lady was quite snappy because she was telling the other caller x, y, z (eg place wasn’t big enough without making a proper assessment and saying that it was illegal in his state and he should do his research before calling). I think it could have been handled differently and I don’t even think the current place is big enough (could be all subjective).
The entire operation seemed a little more persuasive in the financial security of the establishment. They let you know that they have hand made stuff from their fur. If you’re waiting outside, they tell you that your friends inside are having «lots of fun» and that you should join them (it just didn’t sound sincere). They don’t tell you that they make an effort to pick up road kill to feed to their «wolf dogs» (that would cut back on costs, just don’t feed them the stomach & intestines). Maybe I am unfairly comparing them to Lakota Preserve but this place didn’t feel like a preserve. They do rescue some «wolf dogs» but majority of them are probably just some descendant of a husky and the general public was just scared, assumed it was a «wolf», and thus being labeled incorrectly. If a preserve can survive on $ 15 admission fee and $ 5 goes to the campground/​state park, this place can definitely survive on $ 20. Also, they do mention that they get calls from the public to see if they’ll rescue a «wolf dog», but at no point do they tell you that they make the effort to find a rescue that has space for that dog. Perhaps all my nit picky details are wrong but you get a feeling/​6^th sense about this place.
Overall, it’s a great place if you don’t mind paying to get photos taken with well trained dogs. I wouldn’t come here to see wolves per say. Definitely go to Lakota Preserve and see those majestic creatures and why you shouldn’t take them lightly. I can only recommend this place depending on your agenda/​goals.