Imagine if you will, 8 trash cans full of various ungualte left-overs, including inedible parts such as eyes, skulls, traumatized flesh, and parts still with fur. Volunteers and staff diligently squat on tarps outside, digging through these items, separating bones from meat and edible from inedible. After the meat has been separated, the non-bones are then packaged into forming trays and then carried to the freezer. Bones are relocated for future feedings, and waste is loaded into a van and driven to "The Pit."
The Pit is an experience all of its own. Here, an enormous hole previously dug by other diligent voluteers, is now the dumping ground for all bio-degradable waste including inedible meat donations, and animal fecal matter.
The entire process is horrific to some. But those of us who make it through do so knowing that meat separation is both a necessity and a blessing.
Obviously wolves are not vegetarian by nature, and in fact, can only survive by a carnivorous diet. We understand that no matter how disgusting the process may be, it is necessary to keep our animals happy and healthy. Also, though purchased meat can be much less time-consuming and, well, less disgusting, the generosity of Green Valley meat and other donators is tremendous. In the Summer, when we are not blessed with such donations, the Sanctuary must purchase chicken quarters from Walmart. Feeding 60 animals 4 pounds of chicken 5 days a week is not a small expense. Winter especially can be a slim time of year for donations/tours, and so, without the donations of meat and the tireless efforts of meat separation, we would not be able to provide for the animals as well as we are able.
Loaf, not quite as graffic, is still quite the process. Loaf is prepared each Thursday by animal-care volunteers, frozen, and then served to the residents each Sunday. The process begins with
two large tubs filled with 45 pounds of raw hamburger each. Rice, green beans, carrots, garlic, barley, oats, and a ton of various supplements such as Diatamaceous Earth, Amino Acids, and our own blend of Nutritional Powder, along with many other "secret" ingredients, are then added to the mix. This thick, dense and sometimes smelly mixture is then constantly neaded by volunteers for the next 20-45 minutes until completely blended. After this, loaves are made and weighed, then assembly-line-style carried to the freezer to be prepared for Sunday.Loaf is something that has been created here at the sanctuary and since, Nutritionist approved. 100's of wolves can't be wrong. With our animals being in the controlled circumstances of captivity, they end up living much longer, (up to ten years longer) than they would in the wild. As they age, it is important for them to receive vitamins and supplements to keep them healthy. Loaf has become our way of doing this. In the future, when monetary funds provide proper equipment, we hope to be able to market this product as high-end large dog food.
Hallie and James both survived their initiation, and didn't even seem to flinch at the process. They too understand the importance, and just like the committed volunteers we expect, they have held through their first few days of animal care.
