Our Mission
The California Wolf Foundation is a volunteer run non-profit charitable organization established to promote conservation of gray wolves and other native species by reducing conflict with agricultural producers, promoting preservation or restoration of habitats in California, and supporting research and education.
Photo by Bridger Peaks Photography
Conflict Reduction
Providing livestock predation reimbursement and providing humane deterrents to avoid, minimize, and mitigate conflicts with agricultural producers.
Preservation
Promoting habitat preservation, connectivity, restoration, and sustainable management of shared working landscapes.
Education
Funding research and education through grants and scholarships.
Our Purpose
Gray wolves have returned to California for the first time in almost 100 years. In 2011, a global positioning system (GPS) collared wolf (OR-7) dispersed to California temporarily from Oregon’s Imnaha pack. In the past ten years, wolves have successfully established in California and as of 2025 the California wolf population has increased to include 12 known packs in 10 counties (Siskiyou, Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Nevada, Modoc, Sierra, Trinity, Tehama and Tulare) as well as other dispersing individuals in Mono and Inyo Counties. As the population of wolves increases in California, conflicts between wolves and livestock producers are likely to increase. Direct depredation losses and increases in operational costs as well as the potential indirect impacts (reduced weight gain, reduced reproductive success, and increased management costs) can produce significant economic losses to individual ranchers, and can at times be severe locally.
The California Wolf Foundation promotes wolf conservation through support of humane management practices to reduce conflict, provides funding to offset direct financial losses caused by wolf activity, and provides support for research, education, and habitat preservation in California.
News and Events
Q&A panel after the California premiere of In the Company of Wolves: An American Journey
Join the California Wolf Foundation and other invited panelists for a Q&A session following the California premiere screening of this film in Santa Monica Sunday June 28, 2026 at 7:15pm. Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, In the Company of Wolves: An American Journey traces the complex relationship between wolves and humans, from the shores of England to the American West, revealing how wolves have shaped our folklore, history, and national identity. Directed by Susan Kucera and featuring an original score by Keefus Ciancia (“True Detective”), the film explores the enduring role of wolves in the American story and invites audiences to consider what coexistence with wildlife can look like in the future.
Following the film, attendees of the 7:15pm June 28 showing at the Monica Film Center (1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, California) will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of leaders working in the California wolf-livestock conflict reduction space.
View the Trailer
Free Protective Collars for Livestock Guardian Dogs
California Wolf Foundation is now taking applications for livestock producers in California wolf country that currently utilize livestock guardian dogs in their operations to receive up to two FREE custom protective (spiked*) collars for their LGDs. 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐑🐑🐄🐄
Though these collars will not eliminate the risk of injury or death from encounters with apex predators, they are critical for the safety of LGDs working in wolf and mountain lion country. We are pleased to be partnering with the designer of these collars, Emsoff Livestock Company, to offer an upgraded version of the collar that their LGD pack have been wearing for the past seven years. The collar itself is made by expert leatherworker, Denise Hochstrat VonTour, from heavy 2″ wide harness leather, stitched and riveted. The upgraded spikes are made from 1/16″ stainless steel securely attached with copper rivets. Each collar is custom made to order to perfectly fit your dog. Unlike other available options that lack spikes in the buckle area, leaving the throat unprotected, this collar design has spikes the entire length, protecting the dog’s neck all the way around.
If you would like to receive a free collar, please confirm your eligibility and submit the required sizing and shipping information in the form below. Stock is limited and applications will be evaluated in the order received.
https://forms.gle/wqQqAAyTpiPawrLC6
🐺 If you support wildlife coexistence, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our 100% volunteer-run foundation so we can continue to offer tools and resources to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts.
*NOTE, the spikes are NOT blades. They do not slice or cut. The edges are not sharp and the points are ground down slightly. The Emsoff dogs have been wearing these collars for the past seven years and they have never had a dog or livestock injured by them. They simply make it much more difficult for a predator to get ahold of the dog’s neck. They are only to be used on mature working dogs (never puppies).
Community Events
September 26, 2026 – Placer Nature Center 35th Anniversary Celebration
Join us at the Placer Nature Center on Saturday September 26 to commemorate their 35 years of science and nature education! 3700 Christian Valley Road, Auburn from 10am-4pm.
October 17, 2026 – Wolf Awareness Day
Save the date! We’ll be welcomed back to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Saturday October 17 to celebrate Wolf Awareness Day! Stay tuned for details!
Livestock Loss Compensation
We have launched our livestock loss compensation program and are now accepting applications for grants to offset wolf-caused livestock mortalities and injuries that occurred within California prior to September 23, 2021 or between March 2024 and July 1, 2024. If you have experienced livestock losses from wolf predation, we encourage you to apply to participate in our livestock loss program. For losses occurring after September 23, 2021 (but not between March-July 2024), producers can request reimbursement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Gray-Wolf/Grants
Bookmark Campaign
California Wolf Foundation has wolf bookmarks available to ignite the spirit of wildlife conservation in the next generation. If you are a librarian or work for a school in California and would like to request a box of FREE bookmarks to distribute to students, please reach out via email (below).
We are a charitable organization operated by volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from your donation or t-shirt purchase will directly support our mission.
Please visit our t-shirt shop where you can choose from 3 different styles with multiple product and color options!
https://www.bonfire.com/store/california-wolf-foundation/
We accept PayPal donations at PayPal.Me/CAWolfFound and Venmo donations @CaliforniaWolfFoundation
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Your contribution is appreciated and is tax deductible!
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Get In Touch
californiawolffoundation(at)gmail(dot)com
More ways to Donate
We are happy to accept tax-smart grants from Donor Advised funds or Qualified Charitable Distributions. Additionally, if you would like to make a donation by check, please send payable to California Wolf Foundation, 3031 Stanford Ranch Rd 2-337, Rocklin, CA 95765
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The California Wolf Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation classified as a tax exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to our organization are tax deductible (EIN 87-3467885).