A New Home, a New Companion, and a New Lease on Life: Billie’s Story

Meet Billie the Wolf

Sweet Billie is known for her curiosity, her bold personality, and her signature smile. Billie has a rare, geminated tooth, which causes a double-point in her lower canine. It causes her no discomfort, but it makes her very unique!

When she was rescued from the exotic pet trade and brought to her sanctuary at Wolf Haven International in Washington, she was paired with Guy. And when Guy passed away, her caregivers instantly recognized a difference. Billie, who had always been curious and bold, grew quieter.

Giving Billie a New Home

Before a new companion could be brought in for Billie, her enclosure needed a major upgrade. Two of Wolf Haven’s older enclosures were patched together to keep the area safe and Billie contained, but they weren’t in good enough condition to house another wolf.

In June, the Greater Good Charities construction team worked with local contractors to perform brush clearing, remove the two existing dilapidated enclosures and construct a new enclosure in their place by first installing 600–650 feet of fencing.

We also demolished and rebuilt the night house––a shelter wolves often sleep in––so that it could better protect the wolves from the elements and allow staff to safely secure wolves outside the enclosure during repairs or maintenance.

Giving Wolves the Companions They Deserve

Wolves are pack animals. These intensely social and fiercely loyal canines form emotional bonds, educate their young, and grieve missing mates. That’s why it was important to get Billie a new companion as quickly as possible.

With her enclosure newly renovated, it was time for Billie to make a new friend.

On June 30, Greater Good Charities transported two wolves, Nicky and Cerberus, on a flight from Minnesota to Wolf Haven International.

Pack-raised brothers Nicky and Cerberus were brought into captivity after being dubbed a “nuisance” pair in Canada, meaning they threatened or attacked livestock or domestic animals, or presented human safety risks.

At Wolf Haven, Cerberus joined another wolf, Ellie, while Nicky joined Billie.

Nicky and Billie will be each other’s enclosure-mates in the sanctuary’s newly renovated space, providing each other with comfort and companionship throughout their remaining years––and Billie will never have to be alone again!

Beyond Billie: Our Work with Wolves

Billie’s story is just one piece of a much larger fight. Across the U.S., wolves face shrinking habitats, vehicle collisions, and human threats that endanger their survival. Fewer than 20 red wolves remain in the wild, making urgent action critical to ensure they don’t vanish forever.

That’s why we’re supporting both the individualized care wolves like Billie need and broader conservation efforts, including funding wildlife crossings that make highways safer and reconnect fragmented habitats. These crossings reduce deadly vehicle strikes and give wolves and other at-risk species the chance to roam freely and safely.

To ensure endangered wolves can survive and thrive, we are committed to working with local partners to expand safe habitats, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and give these keystone predators the chance to reclaim their place in the wild.