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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Safer by AFAR ... Oregon Republicans hope to pick up a few seats in Legislature ... St. Mary's robotics students return from world competition ... Safer by AFAR ... Oregon Republicans hope to pick up a few seats in Legislature ... St. Mary's robotics students return from world competition ... Wolf sanctuary forced to close Owners run out of time and options to keep Howling Acres operating WILLIAMS — New homes are needed for the rescued wolves of Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary as the owners say they have run out of time, energy and resources to care for the animals. Comment By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 13, 2010 at 12:01 AM By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 13, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Social News WILLIAMS — New homes are needed for the rescued wolves of Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary as the owners say they have run out of time, energy and resources to care for the animals. Declining tours, dwindling donations and an expensive battle with cancer have caused sanctuary owners Sherri and Charlie LaBat to fall $30,000 behind on house payments. Now in foreclosure, their home will be deeded back to the bank. The LaBats also must sell the adjacent 14-acre property, which houses the nonprofit sanctuary's 19 wolves, she said. "This really breaks my heart," said Sherri LaBat. "It's just a really hard thing to do. But we'd just like everything to happen very quickly. Neither one of us can do the work anymore." LaBat said she was hopeful that Wildlife Images in Grants Pass would take two of the sanctuary's wolves, which were rescued from illegal fur farms, illegal Internet sales and from people who kept them illegally as pets. Another shelter in California may take eight to 10 more, she said. "We're going to stay open until the last wolf is gone (to an approved shelter)," LaBat said, adding one of the wolves, Dakota, succumbed to cancer on April 8. The LaBats got into wolf rescue in 1991. They have rescued more than 150 wolves over the past 19 years, she said. But a string of difficulties — including a declining economy and serious health challenges — has left the couple using all of their small Social Security and pension income to support the wolves and maintain the sanctuary, which is across the road from their home. Sherri, a home health nurse, has osteoporosis and just finished chemotherapy for leukemia. Unable to work, she and her husband now owe $69,000 in medical bills. Their health insurance policy will run out in weeks, Charlie LaBat has said. Donations to the sanctuary in the sour economy have declined from a high of $45,000 a year to $400 for the first quarter of this year, he told the Mail Tribune last month. The LaBats have tried to sell the sanctuary at 555 Davidson Road and a three-bedroom mobile home on the site for $400,000, reduced from $575,000, according to their Web site, howlingacres.org . They were willing to drop that figure further for interested buyers. But they can no longer afford to wait for a buyer who is willing to take on the sanctuary. "We tried for three years to sell it as a sanctuary and got no offers," she said. Caring for the wolves has been a rewarding but challenging endeavor, she said. Many have medical problems. Many were abused. All have to be fed, cared for and have their quarters cleaned on a daily basis. "People shouldn't own wolves as pets," said Sherri. "Wolves are wild animals and deserve to be out in the wild, not kept in people's homes on their couch." The assets of the nonprofit are being liquidated and the proceeds will go toward the sanctuaries who take the remaining wolves in. Members of the public can continue to come to Howling Acres while the LaBats transition the wolves to new homes "to say good-bye to their favorite wolf," she said. Once the wolves are safely placed, the LaBats will move on with their plans to relocate to the coast, Sherri said. "We don't want to live here anymore. There are too many memories," she said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or e-mail [email protected]. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Apr. 13, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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