Right here in our Central Florida backyard is an animal haven for wolves, and Hurricane Milton’s wrath continues to stress out not only the animals, but the volunteers, too.

1. In Harmony With Nature (IHWN, Inc.) in the NW corner of Orlando houses rescued wolves (six) and wolf-dogs (20). The animal haven suffered badly from Hurricane Milton. “In roughly the 20 years I’ve been in Florida, this has been the most damaging hurricane I’ve experienced,” says IHWN president, Kim Kapes.

2. Kapes says five of the enclosures were damaged. A huge tree fell smack dab in the middle of the habitat, knocking down a major barrier separating the wolves. “Between 3-5 a.m. was probably the worst night I’ve ever had to endure.”

3. “There was fighting going on in this middle pen,” she added. She risked her life during horizontal rains and winds to secure these enclosures. She piled up debris to make a barrier where the fence was, knowing, though, it was only temporary.

She says the wolves are smart enough to break through. 

4. She says her volunteer team is pulling off the unthinkable to re-secure the wolves, who will only allow a few certain people to get close to them. That choreography is quite the challenge, when trees and branches need to be cut and fences installed.

5. Two huge trees fell over the driveways, making it difficult for any kind of electric or service vehicle to get in. In addition to the thousand dollars of materials to secure the enclosures, Kim says hiring a tree company could be $3-5,000 more. Their 2.5 acres are still without power. The generator is allowing water to flow and is cooling the fridges that store the wolves’ raw meat. Donations are starting to come in, and the 501(c)3 charity organization is asking for the public’s help.