Chisholm Wolf Foundation, Inc. (CWFI) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded January 26, 1998. CWFI is the only organization in the State of Texas with federal and state permits needed for education, research and preservation of the Gray Wolf.
"The Gray Wolf is listed on our Federal Endangered Species List"
Our goal is to preserve the natural existence of the wolf through our educational seminars, observation research and preservation. CWFI has the only organization in the world providing the public with an upclose experience of the pure Gray Wolf species. You can even pet a Gray Wolf if you so choose. You may ask questions, receive free literature about these magnificent but misunderstood wolves.
Vivian F. Chisholm, our Chief Executive Officer is the great, great granddaughter of Thornton Chisholm, founder of the famous "Chisholm Trail". She now continues the tradition of strength, like her ancestors, as she works towards preserving a true part of the "Old West" and our "American Heritage". Vivian has been educating the public since 1997 and has compiled over 10 years of research on the wolves.
Vivian became involved with wolves when in 1989 two newborn cubs were brought to her as their mother developed mastitis (an infection of the milk glands). Seven cubs of the litter of seventeen died due to the mastitis. Vivian and her daughter Wendy bottle fed the two cubs from the time they were two days old. They named the cubs Mytiea and Bridget, saving the cubs lives and embarking on a journey of a lifetime. Today CWFI has 18 wolves, 1 coyote and 1 deer. CWFI has rescued 12 wolves over the past 10 years due to being shot, abused, or from zoos. CWFI will not turn down a wolf in need of care.
There have been many unfounded myths about the wolf causing mankind to develop an unnecessary fear of wolves. Through CWFI's education program, Vivian has been able to introduce hundreds of people to the "Gray Wolf" in a kind and gentle way. Chiwauka, Bridget, or Mytiea assist Vivian in her seminars at public schools, private schools, libraries, businesses and other facilities. Vivian's goal is to lay to rest these myths and reveal the wolf as a noble animal with no desire to harm man. Vivian trained Chiwauka to sit, heel, stay, and come by voice commands, thereby dispelling the myths and documents that wolves are untrainable. In fact, CWFI has Chiwauka in training to track and locate missing children. CWFI's educational seminars have allowed children to see and pet a "Gray Wolf' for the first time. Chiwauka has endeared herself and her entire species to hundreds of Texas children. CWFI educational literature will be provided in Spanish, Braille, and Talking Book upon request.
CWFI has educational tours of the wolves at CWFI's facility in Dale, Texas. We are open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday. Please call ahead for an appointment. CWFI also has educational tours of our wolves' weekdays for school field trips and other organizations. Don't forget to call for an appointment.
