“Wolves and women are relational by nature.”

— Dr. Clarissa Estes

Our Mission

Our mission works towards a future where wild wolves and wolf-dogs are safe and where women are empowered. Founded in 2013 in Northern California, Women for Wolves started as a movement to raise awareness for wildlife. Over the past decade, we’ve empowered 50+ women in conservation & rescue, led 30+ youth programs, and reached 180,000+ people through education and advocacy.

Meet the Team

  • Anjali Ranadive

    FOUNDER

    Anjali Ranadive founded WFW at UC Berkeley to unite women passionate about conservation. After rescuing a wolf-dog from a local shelter, she recognized the urgent need to protect them, and started the sanctuary. As an environmentalist, artist, and sports professional, she leverages her diverse background to forward the WFW mission.

  • Reena Hachme

    CO-FOUNDER

    Reena joined Women for Wolves in 2022 with a Marketing and Communications degree, using her skills to promote wolf conservation. Previously, she volunteered on environmental projects relating to plastic pollution. As Co-Founder, her focus is women’s empowerment and sanctuary operations.

  • Jill Lute

    PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

    Jill Lute served as Senior Keeper at Folsom Sanctuary in Northern California for over a decade. She also has rescued many wolf-dogs throughout her life and career, and is an expert on wolf-dog behavior. Jill’s experience is invaluable to the mission of Women for Wolves.

  • Sofía Hughes

    SANCTUARY DIRECTOR

    Sofia’s journey began three years ago when she rescued her reactive German Shepherd, Blue. Through patience and training, she helped him overcome his fears. Now, she is devoted to offering transformative care to rescued wolf-dogs.

  • Women for Wolves Staff

    VOLUNTEERS & WOLF-DOG SPECIALISTS

    Brittany Haley, Megan Medina, Sabrina Padilla, Aviana Loveall, Abby Jang, Roopak Bhatt, Sophi Turner, Guillermo Wulf

  • Advisory Board

    Board of Directors

    Metta World Peace, Elizabeth Stallard, Chris Kelly, Omar Sharif, Danielle Hanosh, Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya, Jason Poole, Michael Lieberman, Maren Conrad, Brett Nolan

Frequently asked questions

  • Wolves are essential for the health of our ecosystems. They help fight climate change and maintain balance. Unfortunately, they are often hunted due to fear and misunderstanding. Since being removed from the Endangered Species Act, cruelty toward wolves has increased. Ranchers kill wolves out of concern for their livestock, but predators cause less than 0.01% of cattle deaths in areas where wolves live.

  • A wolf-dog is a mix between a wolf and a domestic dog. They are frequently abandoned by their owners due to their specialized needs. Many end up in shelters where they’re euthanized 90% of the time because they don’t fit as pets or wildlife. Sanctuaries like ours provide them with a safe, enriched environment while educating the public on their true nature, wild wolf conservation, and the realities of irresponsible ownership.

  • Wolves can be protected with stronger laws, advocacy, and raising awareness about their essential role in our ecosystems. Changing how people view wolves is crucial, making education key in wolf conservation.

    Wolf-dogs need protection by discouraging breeding and selling, promoting adoption, supporting specialized sanctuaries, and educating the public.

    Supporting conservation groups and wolf-dog sanctuaries can create positive change.

  • You can help wolves and wolf-dogs in several ways:

    • Advocacy and Lobbying: Researching laws that impact wolf protections, contacting representatives, and mobilizing people to take action.

    • Rescuing Wolf-Dogs: Providing sanctuary for 27 wolf-dogs, rescuing and placing others, and discouraging breeder purchases.

    • Education and Women’s Empowerment: Offering programs for youth to learn about environmental stewardship and wolf protection, providing women's empowerment activities like group therapy, and scholarships for women aiming for conservation careers.