Animal Sanctuary Sued, Faces Possible Euthanasia for 80% of Exotic Animals — Washington

After some animals escaped, a Washington animal sanctuary was sued. As their options are limited by their budget, 80% of their exotic animals may have to be put to death.

For 21 years, the wolves at Predators of the Heart have been free to roam the fenced grounds of the sanctuary near Anacortes. The sanctuary is home to more than 50 different species of animals, including 15 wolves, but its days may be numbered.

Predators of The Heart's wolves and other exotic animals were saved from being confiscated by the government or abandoned by their owners.

Ashley Carr, the owner of the animal sanctuary said that Since wildlife is worth the sacrifice, everything they do is for the benefit of the animals. People who enter the sanctuary can see their hearts, she continued.

She added that the wolves are still wild animals even though they are tamed.

Incident Leading to Lawsuit

Three wolves broke free in October of last year, killing a neighbor's dog in the process. A few of the neighbors decided to sue Predators of The Heart to permanently close the organization down as a result.

According to Carr, the sanctuary genuinely just wants to be a part of the neighborhood and to contribute rather than burden it.

Predators of the Heart also provides a home to dozens of other exotic animals, such as alligators and sloths, in addition to wolves. The lawsuit is depleting the sanctuary's funds, and the situation doesn't seem promising.

"Friendlier" but Costlier Location

Carr claimed that it is extremely disheartening that they are so close to closing their doors. They would have had a few more months to get by if they hadn't had to pay hundreds of dollars per month in legal fees.

Carr says she would be delighted to relocate the sanctuary to a more welcoming area, which Carr describes as "friendlier." The property she discovered in Island County costs $2 million, which she cannot currently afford.

Ashley is currently confronted with some very challenging choices as both time and money are running out.

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Opting for Euthanasia

Carr stated that it is one thing to euthanize an animal due to a medical condition. It is another thing to put them down because locals don't want them. She sobbed as she stated that it isn't fair.

Ashley claims she only has a few weeks to either find new homes for the animals or put them down because the lawsuit is taking so long and money is running out.

She claimed that every day she struggles with this heartbreaking reality.

Carr went on to say that they merely wanted to act in the animals' best interests. She continued by saying that while the sanctuary does not want to be a burden on people, they do not believe that animals should be put to death simply because people do not have all the information, King5 reports.

Predators of the Heart

According to its website, Predators of the Heart, a 10-acre wooded wildlife preserve, is home to wolves, cougars, reptiles, birds, and other exotic animals with a focus on conservation and education. It is situated next to the forest lands in a residential area of unincorporated Skagit County, according to Twin Timber Wolf Information Network.

Predators of the Heart has been in operation for 21 years and is home to more than 50 different animal species, including 15 wolves. The sanctuary typically relies on revenue from public tours to fund operations but has been unable to do so for a year due to a permit issue with Skagit County, KGMI reports.