How to Provide Adequate Housing for Pet Wolves

Providing the proper type of living quarters for a pet wolf is a vital part of its socialization. Designing housing that will both protect and contain the wolf and prevent the wolf from feeling too restricted or trapped will be your biggest concern. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

  • Fencing
  • Housing enclosure
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Instructions

  1. Provide Adequate Housing for Pet Wolves

    • 1

      Check with the local laws in your area to determine if there are any minimum requirements for keeping wolves. Some jurisdictions use the standards set by the American Zoological Society as guidelines, such as a fenced area of 12 feet by 12 feet for one wolf, and an increase in area of 50 percent for each additional animal.

    • 2

      Use chain link fencing that is at least 6 feet high to use as your perimeter. Make sure that the bottom of the fence is secured to the ground at close intervals, or buried well beneath the dirt, in order to discourage digging or tunneling. A sufficient overhang of at least a few inches at the top of the fence may be effective in discouraging jumping as well.

    • 3

      Install two gates in the enclosure, as opposed to just one, as a security measure, especially if you're dealing with an aggressive or unpredictable animal. This will allow an easier exit from the enclosure if needed.

    • 4

      Consider a secondary fence outside of the first fence to discourage children or others from sticking their fingers through the holes in the fence. You may consider an exterior fence with a mild electrical current running through it as an additional precaution.

    • 5

      Provide adequate shelter for your pet wolves to protect them from severe weather conditions. Elevate the enclosure so that the ground will stay dry during rainstorms. Make sure that you have made provisions to keep the food and water supply protected from environmental concerns as well.

    • 6

      Learn more about how to provide adequate housing for pet wolves at websites such as Wolf Trust (see Resources below).