#93.8MixFM Interview with Lex from AHF

From almost being drowned to ambassador for animal welfare

05/05/2022

From being thrown into a river to drown to now being a valued educational tool, Spirit the Alaskan Malamute, has become an ambassador for a Hartbeespoort animal welfare organisation and his miraculous rescue is helping to create awareness of animal welfare in South Africa.

Spirit is now living his best life.

The eight-year-old Spirit is currently finally living a life of doggy luxury at the All Hearts Foundation wolf sanctuary in Broederstroom after he was cruelly tied up and dumped in a river to drown six years ago.

At the time, animal lovers all over South Africa were outraged about the cruel animal abuse story. He was tied up with wire and miraculously survived many hours in the cold river. Passers-by heard a dog whimpering and upon investigating, found the severely injured and emaciated dog in the river.

Hartbeespoort couple and founders of the wolf sanctuary, Lexi and Ronnie Austin, happened to drive by the scene when the dog was found and stopped. “When a bystander told me there was a dog in the river, I jumped out and ran to the river. And there Spirit was… badly injured, tied-up and near death. We untied him, got him into the car and raced to a veterinarian. At first, we did not think he was going to make it and then it was feared that he was going to lose one of his legs,” Lexi says. It appeared as though he had been the victim of cruel abuse for some time, and was undernourished. He was exhausted, hypothermic and, apart from his wounded legs, had inhaled water.

Lexi and Ronnie took responsibility for Spirit, named for his spirit to survive. “He was one of our first trauma case rescues and when he was well enough, we brought him home. It was a long road to recovery. He only weighed about 25 kg. He now weighs a very healthy 55 kg.

Spirit when he was found in the river.

Today Spirit is once again a proud Alaskan Malamute, living with the many rescues at the wolf sanctuary. “Over the past six years has become an indispensable part of our All Hearts Foundation family. We use him during our educational projects at schools and in communities to raise awareness of animal abuse and the importance of animal welfare organisations,” says Lexi. “He is now living his best life at the foundation alongside his companions and is the leader of his pack. He is just amazing with children and has the loveliest personality. One cannot comprehend how a person can subject such an animal to such horrendous abuse. But Spirit is now where he should be, we have an incredible bond and we love him to bits which is passionately returned.”

View original on:

https://kormorant.co.za/2022/05/05/from-almost-being-drowned-to-ambassador-for-animal-welfare/

Uitsettingsbevel

Artikel in Afrikaans

Uurglas loop leeg vir wolf-tuiste

Terwyl die uurglas vir ’n skuiling vir wolwe en ander diere leegloop, het ’n regsfirma ’n aansoek om verlof tot appèl ingedien om die uitsettingsbevel teen die All Hearts Foundation (AHF) teen te staan.

Sou dit misluk en sou die stigting dan nie voor 30 April minstens R1 miljoen kan neersit in ’n poging om ’n koopaanbod op die perseel wat hulle huur, te doen nie, wag ’n onbekende lot op die diere in hul sorg.

Die AHF (en die wolwe en an-der diere) is midde-in ’n naelbyt-wedloop teen tyd met die hoop op ’n reusewonderwerk voor “D-dag”.

Ronnie en Lexi Austen van die AHF moet teen einde vandeesmaand ingevolge die uitsettings-bevel die perseel naby Hartbeespoort ontruim.

Hulle is sedert die Covid-19-in-perking in ’n oorlewingstryd gewikkel.

“Niemand het ’n internasionale pandemie voorsien nie en almal is hard getref. Die Covid-19-inperking het ons regtig in die moeilikheid gekry,” sê Lexi.

As ’n organisasie sonder winsbejag wat afhanklik is van skenkings, asook die opvoedkundige programme en skoolbesoeke wat hulle aanbied, is hul inkomste erg getref, sê sy.

Elke sent tot hul beskikking moes gebruik word vir die versorging van die 31 wolwe, 25 kat-te, een perd, een wolf-hibried, agt skape, sewe voëls, 22 honde en twee varke – almal gered uit traumatiese omstandighede en van ’n gewisse dood.

Vir die eerste keer sedert die AHF se bestaan kon hulle nie die huurgeld bybring nie en die eie-naars het ’n uitsettingsbevel bekom.

Die hof het die AHF (en hul diere) tot einde vandeesmaand grasie gegee om óf te trek óf ’n koopaanbod te doen.

Die eienaars wil R3,8 miljoen vir die 21 ha-perseel hê.

Die AHF moet teen middel vandeesmaand minstens R1 miljoen neersit om reeds teen 30 April ’n verband te kan hê.

En aangesien hulle emosioneel, geldelik en fisiek in die AHF en die diere belê het – soos Ronnie, wat byna elke heining self opgesit het – en die plan altyd was om eendag die stuk grond te kan koop, het die Austens besef: Hulle sal moet hand opsteek en vra om hulp.

Hulle, hul ondersteuners en diereliefhebbers het begin voort-stu na ’n “wonderwerk, net dalk,” en met oop harte en ver-skeie skenkings wat wissel van R5 tot R7 000 reeds net meer as R200 000 ingesamel.

“Dit is ongelooflik hoe almal net uitgereik het. Ons is nederig dankbaar.

“Elke enkele R5 maak ’n reuseverskil,” sê Lexi.

Dit is wel ’n druppel aan die emmer van wat hulle kort.

Intussen het die AHF nie net bakhand stilgesit nie.

Lexi en Ronnie het gaan uit-vind oor ’n verband en is ingelig dat hulle minstens R1 miljoen moet hê vir ’n 90%-kans om een te kan uitneem.

Dié bedrag, asook die goedgekeurde aansoek, moet alles voor einde vandeesmaand reg wees.

Intussen het Schindlers-prokureurs van die AHF se titaniese stryd gehoor en gratis ‘n aansoek om verlof tot appél teen die uitsettingsbevel ingedien.

Die AHF kon dit nie voorheen doen nie omdat hy nie geld vir die regskoste gehad het nie.

Nou bid hulle dat die aansoek suksesvol is.

“Ons het regtig ‘n oplossing, ‘n ooreenkoms, met die eienaars probeer bereik, maar hulle wil die grond verkoop. Ons probeer aan hulle gee wat hulle wil hê sodat ons ons diere se huis kan red.”

Om te trek met die diere – sonder die uitgawe van ‘n nuwe perseel – sal hulle meer as R900 000 kos.

Die Austen-egpaar voel as hulle daardie bedrag kan bymekaarmaak, kan hulle netsowel probeer om die plek waar die diere reeds gevestig is, te koop.

“Ons het net baie, baie min tyd oor,” erken hulle, in die hoop dat nog mense of organisasies sal belê in die toekoms van die eens weggegooide diere.

“Ons is positief dat ons hierdie kan maak gebeur. Daar is altyd hoop.

“Elke lewende wese het ‘n siel en op die ou einde is ons doel om te dien.

“Ons gaan dus nie ophou probeer nie. Hierdie wolwe is elke vegkans werd.”

Article in English

Hourglass is running out for wolf home

While the hourglass for a shelter for wolves and other animals is busy running out, a law firm has applied for leave to appeal to oppose the eviction order against the All Hearts Foundation (AHF).

Should this fail and the foundation would not be able to invest at least R1 million before 30 April in an attempt to make a purchase offer on the premises they rent, an unknown fate awaits the animals in their care.

The AHF (and the wolves and other animals) are in the middle of a nail-biting race against time with the hope of a giant miracle before “D-day”.

Ronnie and Lexi Austen of the AHF must vacate the premises near Hartbeespoort by the end of this month in terms of the eviction order.

They have been embroiled in a struggle for survival since the COVID-19 hit.

“Nobody foresaw an international pandemic and everyone was hit hard. The Covid-19 restriction really got us in trouble, ”says Lexi.

As a non-profit organization that depends on donations, as well as the educational programs and school visits they offer, their income has been hit hard, she says.

Every penny at their disposal had to be used to care for the 31 wolves, 25 cats, one horse, one wolf hybrid, eight sheep, seven birds, 22 dogs and two pigs – all rescued from traumatic circumstances and from a certain death.

For the first time since the AHF’s existence, they could not afford the rent and the owners obtained an eviction order.

The court granted the AHF (and their animals) until the end of this month to either withdraw or make a purchase offer.

The owners want R3.8 million for the 21 ha site.

The AHF must deposit at least R1 million by the middle of this month in order to have a mortgage by 30 April.

And since they invested emotionally, financially and physically in the AHF and the animals – like Ronnie, who put up almost every fence himself – and the plan was always to be able to buy the piece of land one day, the Austen’s realized: They will have to raise their hand and ask for help.

They, their supporters and animal lovers have started to push for a “miracle, just maybe,” and with open hearts and various donations ranging from R5 to R7 000 have already raised just over R200 000.

“It’s unbelievable how everyone just reached out. We are humbly grateful.

“Every single R5 makes a huge difference,” says Lexi.

It is a drop in the bucket of what they need.

Meanwhile, the AHF has not just idly sat by.

Lexi and Ronnie found out about a mortgage and were informed that they must have at least R1 million for a 90% chance of being able to take one out.

This amount, as well as the approved application, must all be ready before the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Schindler’s lawyers heard of the AHF’s titanic battle and filed a free application for leave to appeal against the eviction order.

The AHF could not do this before because it did not have money for the legal costs.

Now they are praying that the application will be successful.

“We really tried to reach a solution, an agreement, with the owners, but they want to sell the land. We try to give them what they want so we can save our animals’ house.”

Moving with the animals – without the expense of new premises – will cost them more than R900 000.

The Austen couple feel if they can raise that amount, they might as well try to buy the place where the animals are already settled.

“We have very, very little time left,” they admit, hoping more people or organizations will invest in the future of the once-thrown-away animals.

“We are positive that we can make this happen. There is always hope.

“Every living thing has a soul and in the end it’s our purpose to serve it.

“So we are not going to stop trying. These wolves are worth every fight.”

Related Article

WATCH: Hartbeespoort wolf pack at risk of losing their home

31 Mar 2022

The All Hearts Foundation has one day left to raise enough funds to stay on the property they are renting.

Akira, a 4-month-old wolf cub, is the newest edition to the All Hearts Foundation in Hartbeespoort, 16 December 2020, North West. Photo: citizen.co.za/ Jacques Nelles

The All Hearts Foundation (AHF), a wolf sanctuary in Hartbeespoort, have one day left to prevent eviction from the land they are currently renting.

The All Hearts Foundation was founded six years ago as an initiative to save a pack of 16 Canadian timber wolves.

Since then, they have become a safe haven not only for the wolves but feral cats, dogs, a horse, sheep, parrots, pigs and several other animals.

The eviction would leave 31 wolves, one wolf hybrid, 25 cats, one horse, eight sheep, seven birds, 22 dogs and two pigs, all rescued, either homeless or possibly euthanised.

The only option the AHF now have is to raise the funds to secure a bond, or pay R3.8 million to purchase the property their rescue organisation currently operates on.

AHF are urgently appealing to the public for any aid or donations as their time is running out.

View original on: https://www.citizen.co.za/multimedia/3062884/watch-wolf-pack-at-risk-of-losing-their-home/

Wolves may have to be euthanased if a miracle doesn’t happen

The wolf sanctuary in Hartbeespoort is in dire straits and if a miracle doesn’t happen that will enable them to buy the property the sanctuary is situated on, the animals under their care may sadly have to be euthanased.

“It is heartbreaking, but we will have no other choice. The wolves ended up in a sanctuary because they were acquired as pets by individuals who did not realise these are wild animals and not domestic pets. Some of them were fated for the canned hunting industry. But we will not give up hope. We pray for a miracle,” says Lexi Austen who founded the non-profit foundation with her husband, Ronnie. The sanctuary was opened in Hartbeespoort in 2018 and has relied on visitors and tours to the sanctuary and donations from the public.

Lexi and Ronnie founded AHF in 2016 in order to save a pack of Canadian timber wolves. They rented the 21 ha farm in Broederstroom with the option to buy. “Our aim was not only to be a sanctuary for abandoned wolves but to educate people and inform them why these beautiful animals are not pets and why it is not a good idea to cross-breed wolves with domestic dogs.”

More rescues followed, not only wolves but also a variety of rescued dogs, cats and farm animals. “We did extensive work on the property, erecting fences, enclosures, building dams… and if they are able to find another property, it will cost around R900 000 to move everything! If we can raise R1 million, it should be enough to secure a bond to buy the farm for its selling price of R3.8 million. We are trying everything we can,” Lexi says.
“People contact us all the time for assistance with rescued animals. All of these animals will be homeless by the end of April if our miracle does not come. We have consulted with the relevant nature conservation department and if all else fails, the animals will have to be euthanased. This is the devastating reality, that is why we keep on believing that help will come.”

AHF has been busy with a variety of fundraising projects, but progress is very slow. “We are looking for possible investors or partners to assist us, or any other donation that will enable us to keep this sanctuary for the animals.”

Donations to AHF is tax-deductible. Visit their Facebook page All Hearts Foundation SA for various fundraising projects. If you want to help, or are interested in investing in this sanctuary, contact 072 873 3881. Visit the website www.allheartsfoundation.co.za.

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Wolfplaas veg om oorlewing

Artikel in Afrikaans

Oorlewingstryd om wolweplaas te red

Dit is ’n melodie wat be-staan van die vroegste van tye, gevul met die misterie van ’n oersiel vir wie die stryd om oorlewing nooit verby is nie. Mense verstaan nie altyd die sielroerende huilklank nie en daarom moet mense soos Lexi en Ronnie Austen van die All Hearts-stigting (AHF) nie net red waar mense iets edels soos ’n wolf in ’n troeteldier probeer verander nie, maar ook verkoop vir geblikte jag – selfs in Suid-Afrika.

Die AHF is ’n paar jaar gelede as ’n organisasie sonder winsbe-jag begin om ’n trop Kanadese gryswolwe van verdoemenis te red. Hulle het besluit hulle “belê in die diere – alle diere – se toe-koms”.

Dit het begin met die een trop wolwe, sê Lexi en beduie na die eerste kamp waar die “brandwagte” waaksaam nader trippel – “blaffend” en oë priemend deur die gras om die res van die trop in te lig daar is iemand na-by.

Dit is die AHF se “aanvangs- trop”, die aanvanklike rede hoekom die stuk grond van meer as 21 ha in Hartbeespoort, Noordwes, gehuur is, met die opsie om dit later te koop.

Die egpaar het ook besef dit is nodig om mense te leer oor ekso-tiese wilde diere en hoekom dit nie ’n goeie idee is om so iets as ’n troeteldier aan te hou nie, insluitend ’n “hibried”, waar wol-we met honde gekruis word.

Nou leer hulle sowel besoekers aan die AHF as kinders op opvoedkundige skoolbesoeke: Die grasieuse dier wat by tye amper blaf soos ’n hond, vir die onkun-dige oog lyk soos ’n hond en soms optree soos ’n hond, bly ’n wolf waarvan die “wilde geen” altyd sterk sal wees.

Wolwe het baie ruimte nodig, asook ’n trop met ’n natuurlike, instinktiewe struktuur. Hulle het ander gedragspatrone en ’n ander dieet as honde, sê Lexi.

“Hulle hoort nie in die agter-plaas van ’n huis nie.”

Dis nie ’n waghond of ’n troeteldier nie.

Lexi en Ronnie was nog altyd betrokke by dierewelsyn. Toe hoor hulle van die 16 gryswolwe wat behoort aan ’n roofdierpark wat gelikwideer is.

Die wolwe sou aan jagters verkoop word.

Dit is nie moeilik om eksotiese diere soos wolwe vanuit hul land van oorsprong na Suid-Afrika te bring en selfs as teikens vir jagters te gebruik nie.

“Telers en handelaars koop eksotiese (uitheemse) diere van oorsee aan. Daar is min spesifieke wetgewing daaroor, asook oor hoe die diere aangehou moet word.

“Maar ons glo eksotiese diere het dieselfde regte as inheemse diere,” sê Lexi.

Ronnie gooi ’n paar bederf-kos-korrels oor die hoë heining en sê: “Ons riglyne vir die kamp, byvoorbeeld, is dieselfde as vir wildehonde, want daar is nie wetgewing in Suid-Afrika met riglyne daaroor vir eksotiese diere nie.”

Om aan die eerste trop wolwe ’n heenkome te bied was ’n tydsame proses.

Die diere is reeds na ’n ander provinsie gestuur om in die jagbedryf te verdwyn. Gelukkig het die nuwe eienaar ingestem om kans te gee sodat die Austen-egpaar ’n toevlugsoord – en geld om die wolwe terug te koop – kon vind.

Hulle het die wetlike aspekte getakel, ’n stuk grond in Hartbeespoort gehuur, gesukkel om geskikte kampe op te rig en in 2016 is die AHF geregistreer.

Ronnie en Lexi moes ook self leer hoe om na wolwe om te sien en deel word van die trop sodat hulle die diere kon ondersoek en behandel, indien nodig.

“Wolwe is baie skaam diere. Hulle sal wegkruip van mense eerder as om aan te val – soos wanneer die veearts kom besoek aflê,” sê Lexi en lag.

Sy sê daar was al nagte wat hulle langs ’n siek wolf deurgesit het.

Veearts- en onderhoudsuitgawes – van die perseel, personeel en die diere – neem ’n groot hap uit hul begroting, veral toe hulle later nog wolwe onder hul vlerk moes neem.

“Jy kan nooit ’n wolf ten volle mak maak nie – en daar is telers wat baba-wolwe aan onkundige en onervare mense gee. Soms is die babas nog klein en kry die verkeerde formulemelk. Of eienaars besef ná ’n ruk hulle kan nie die dier beheer nie.”

Daar is gevalle waar ’n wolf ’n noue verbintenis met ’n kind sou maak en dan die kind beskerm teen enigiets wat die dier dink ’n bedreiging is, selfs familielede van die kind, sê Lexi.

Nou sit die AHF al met drie wolftroppe. Sommige het ’n suiwer bloedlyn, ander is kruisings tussen twee soorte wolwe (bekend as “splits”) en ander is kruisings tussen wolwe en honde.

Die hoogs intelligente diere, wat letterlik soos wolwe vreet, pas maklik aan by die Bosveldagtige klimaat omdat hul natuurlike habitat in Kanada self warm somers het.

Waterpoele en diep tonnels help ook as die son te warm bak. En saans, wanneer die Magaliesberg blou teen die horison toring, begin ’n wolfkoor jubelsange sing. Die “note”, sê Lexi, verskil, afhangend van wat hulle kommunikeer.

Hul wolwe sal nooit weer vrygelaat of terug na Kanada gestuur kan word nie.

“Waarheen sal hulle gaan? Wie sal dit doen en hoe gaan hulle weer volkome wild gemaak word?”

Eg aan ’n diereskuiling is alle manlike lede van alle spesies – en daar is ’n groot verskeidenheid daarvan by die AHF – gesteriliseer.

En geliefd.

Lexi en Ronnie ken elkeen van hul inwoners se unieke persoonlikheid en hoewel die skuiling herinner aan Animal Farm weens die verskillende spesies wat daar bly, is al die diere hier inderdaad “gelyk”.

Die “saamgestelde” trop skape in ’n kamp oorkant die wolwe dring skaamteloos aan op hul bederf-wortels, maar een soos Charlie hou nie daarvan om te hap aan ’n wortel waaraan ’n ander skaap reeds gebyt het nie.

Lexi en Ronnie noem hulle “afgetrede” skape. Sommige was nie meer goed genoeg vir vleis of teel nie. ’n Ander een se ge-mê het haar vorige eienaar rasend gehad.

Daar is poue, hoenders, katte, honde en ’n lywige vark – elkeen het danksy die AHF ’n oorlewingskans gekry.

Een van die dankbaarstes is waarskynlik Spirit, die Alaska-malemoet (’n honderas) met die windskeef tong wat gered is nadat sy met al vier pote vasgebind in ’n dam gegooi is.

Die Austens het ses jaar gelede self in die water gespring en die hond uitgehaal nadat gemeenskapslede hulle daarvan vertel het.

Spirit het in daardie stadium net 25 kg geweeg.

Nou, ’n gesonde 55 kg sterk, vergesel sy die egpaar op hul opvoedkundige kuiers by skole.

En nee, stel hulle dit duidelik, geen inwoner is bestem vir wolfkos nie, want jy eet mos nie “familie” nie.

Die hof het die Austens (en hul diere)tot einde April grasie gegee om óf te trek óf ’n koopaanbod te doen.

Dit is ’n kort tydjie om ’n wonderwerk – of die meer as R3 miljoen-koopprys – te vind.

Die inperking weens die Covid-19-pandemie het nie net skoolbesoeke en programme by die AHF nie, maar ook skenkings vir maande lank tot stilstand geruk.

Dit was ’n harde slag vir ’n organisasie wat afhanklik is van besoekers en liefdadigheid, en elke beskikbare sent is gebruik om eerste na die diere om te sien.

Vir die eerste keer sedert die AHF se bestaan het hulle agterstallig met huurgeld geraak en die eienaar het ’n uitsettingsbevel teen die AHF bekom.

Die hof het die Austens (en hul diere)tot einde April grasie gegee om óf te trek óf ’n koopaanbod te doen.

Dit is ’n kort tydjie om ’n wonderwerk – of die meer as R3 miljoen-koopprys – te vind.

“Dis die diere, die wolwe, se huis, hul veilige plek. Hulle is reeds deur soveel trauma. Toe ons hier ingetrek en verbeteringe aangebring het, was die plan om dit ’n vir-altyd-tuiste vir hulle te maak.

“Niemand het ’n wêreldwye pandemie verwag of die harde impak op die ekonomie nie,” sê die Austen-egpaar.

Hulle verstaan dat die grondeienaar ook ’n inkomste uit die grond moet genereer, maar daar is nie ’n plan B nie. Net om die diere te trek – na ’n perseel wat nog nie bestaan nie – sal ’n fortuin kos omdat ’n veearts die wolwe sal moet verdoof en spesiale vervoerreëlings getref sal moet word.

Indien ’n ander perseel wel so vinnig gevind kan word, moet dit ’n geskikte habitat aan die wolwe bied en kampe moet opgerig word.

“Ons het by die diere geleer om nooit op te gee nie, positief te bly en te klou aan liefde”.

“Ons moet eenvoudig net die wolwe se tuiste vir hulle behou.”

Dalk is die silwer randjie waarvoor hulle bid, iemand, dalk ’n organisasie, wat wil belê in die toekoms van hierdie diere, glo Lexi en Ronnie.

Dan gaan staan Storm, die een langbeen-wolf, in ’n gebaar van volle vertroue teen die heining op om Lexi met albei pote te high five, asof sy weet die Aus-tens sal haar en haar trop nie in die steek laat nie.

Article in English

Survival struggle to save wolf farm

It is a melody that goes back to the earliest of times, filled with the mystery of an ancient soul for whom the struggle for survival is never over. People do not always understand the soul stirring crying sound, and that is why people like Lexi and Ronnie Austen from the All Hearts Foundation (AHF) not only rescue wolves from people who try and turn them into pets, but also sell them for canned hunting even in South Africa.

The AHF was started a few years ago as a non-profit organization to save a pack of Canadian grey wolves from doom. They decided to “invest in these animal’s future, as well as the future for all animals”.

It started with the one pack of wolves, says Lexi, and points to the first camp where the “fire guards” are vigilantly tripping closer – “barking” and eyes prickling through the grass to inform the rest of the pack that there is someone nearby .

This is the AHF’s “initial pack”, and the reason why this piece of land of more than 21ha in Hartbeespoort, North-West was leased, with the option to buy it later.

The couple also realized that it was necessary to teach people about exotic wildlife, and why it is not a good idea to keep such an animal as a pet, including a “hybrid”, where a wolf is crossed with a dog.

Now they teach as many visitors to the AHF as they can, including children on educational school tours. This graceful animal that at times almost barks like a dog, and to the ignorant eye looks like a dog and sometimes acts like a dog, remains a wolf of which the “wild gene” will always be strong.

Wolves need a lot of space, as well as a pack with a natural, instinctive structure. They have different behaviours and a different diet than dogs, says Lexi.

“They do not belong in the backyard of a house.”

It’s not a guard dog or a pet.

Lexi and Ronnie have always been involved in animal welfare. They then heard about the 16 grey wolves belonging to a predator park that had been liquidated.

The wolves would have been sold to hunters.

It is not difficult to bring exotic animals such as wolves from their original (native) country to South Africa, and even use them as target practice for hunters.

“Breeders and traders buy exotic and foreign animals from overseas. There is little specific legislation about it, as well as how these animals should be kept.

“But we believe exotic animals have the same rights as native animals,” says Lexi.

Ronnie throws some dog pellets over the high fence and says: “Our guidelines for the camp, for example, are the same as for wild dogs, because there is no legislation in South Africa with guidelines for exotic animals.”

Providing a shelter for the first pack of wolves was a time-consuming process.

The animals were sent to another province to disappear from the hunting trade. Fortunately, the new owner agreed to give the Austen couple a chance to find refuge – and money to buy back the wolves.

They tackled the legal aspects, rented a piece of land in Hartbeespoort, struggled to set up suitable camps and in 2016 the AHF was registered.

Ronnie and Lexi also had to learn how to look after wolves and had to become part of the pack so that they could examine and treat the animals, if necessary.

“Wolves are very shy animals. “They will hide from people rather than attack – like when the vet comes to visit,” says Lexi and laughs.

She says there have been nights that they spent tending to a sick wolf.

Veterinary and maintenance expenses – for the premises, staff, and the animals – take a big bite out of their budget, especially when they later had to take more wolves under their wing.

“You can never fully tame a wolf – and there are breeders who give baby wolves to ignorant and inexperienced people. Sometimes the babies are still small and get the wrong milk formula. Or owners realize after a while that they cannot control the animal.“

There are cases where a wolf would make a close connection with a child and then protect the child from anything that the animal thinks is a threat, even relatives of the child, says Lexi.

Now the AHF is sitting with three wolf packs. Some have a pure blood-line, others are crossed between two types of wolves (known as “splits”) and others are crossed between wolves and dogs.

These highly intelligent animals, which literally eat like wolves, adapt easily to the bushveld-like climate because their natural habitat in Canada itself has hot summers.

Water pools and deep tunnels also help if the sun is baking too hot. And at night, when the Magaliesberg is blue against the horizon tower, a wolf choir begins to sing songs of rejoicing. The “notes”, says Lexi, differ depending on what they communicate.

Their wolves will never be released or sent back to Canada.

“Where will they go? Who will do it and how will they be made completely wild again? ”

True to an animal shelter, all male members of all species – and there is a large variety of them at the AHF – have been sterilized.

And loved.

Lexi and Ronnie know each of their unique personalities of their inhabitants and although the shelter is reminiscent of Animal Farm due to the different species that live there, all the animals here are indeed “equal”.

The “composite” flock of sheep in a camp opposite the wolves, shamelessly get spoilt with carrots, but one like “Charlie” does not like to bite on a carrot that another sheep has already bitten.

Lexi and Ronnie call them “retired” sheep. Some were no longer good enough for meat or breeding. Another one’s gem had her previous owner furious.

There are peahens, chickens, cats, dogs, and a bulky pig – each got a chance to survive thanks to the AHF.

One of the most grateful is probably Spirit, the Alaska Malamute (a dog breed) with the windswept tongue that was rescued after she was thrown into a river (dam,) with all four legs tied with wire.

The Austen’s themselves jumped into the water six years ago and took the dog out after community members told them about it.

Spirit only weighed 25 kg at that time.

Now, a healthy 55 kg strong, she accompanies the couple on their educational visits to schools.

And no, they make it clear, no resident is destined for wolf food, because you do not eat “family”.

The court granted the Austen’s (and their animals) until the end of April to either move or make a offer to purchase.

It is a short time to find a miracle – or the more than R3 million purchase price.

The restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic not only brought school visits and programs at the AHF to a halt, but also stopped donations for months.

It was a hard blow for an organization that depends on visitors and charity, and every available penny was used to look after the animals first.

For the first time since the AHF’s existence, they fell into arrears with rent and the owner obtained an eviction order against the AHF.

The court granted the Austen’s (and their animals) until the end of April to either move or make an offer to purchase.

It is a very short time to find a miracle – or the more than R3 million purchase price.

“It is the home of the animals, the wolves, their safe place. They have already been through so much trauma. When we moved in here and made improvements, the plan was to make it a forever home for them.

“Nobody expected a global pandemic or the severe impact on the economy,” said the Austen couple.

They understand that the landowner must also generate an income from the land, but there is no plan B. Just moving the animals – to a site that does not yet exist – will cost a fortune because a veterinarian will have to dart the wolves and special transport arrangements will have to be made.

If another premises can be found quickly, it must provide a suitable habitat for the wolves and camps need be set up.

“We learned from the animals to never give up, stay positive and cling to love”.

“We simply have to keep the wolves’ home for them.”

Maybe the silver lining that they are praying for is someone, maybe an organization, that wants to invest in the future of these animals, Lexi and Ronnie believe.

Then Storm, the one long-legged wolf, stands up in a gesture of full confidence against the fence to high five with both paws, as if she knew the Austen’s would not let her and her pack down.