How to Visit Canada's Only Wolfdog Sanctuary

The city drops away quickly west of Calgary. Traffic lights give way to open road as the foothills roll in, dotted with wild horses grazing on bluish-green prairie grasses. That’s when you know you’re close.

Set on 160 acres just outside the town of Cochrane, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is slightly off the beaten path for most travellers and, it leaves a lasting impression.

Wildlife viewing usually means patience, binoculars and lots of hoping. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary doesn't work that way. Animal encounters here are guaranteed, up close and unhurried, giving visitors time to observe and understand wolfdogs.

This isn’t a zoo. It’s an experience rooted in respect, education and a commitment to sustainable tourism.

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, a haven for wolfdogs inspired by Kuna

Founder Georgina De Caigny didn't set out to create Canada's only sanctuary devoted exclusively to wolfdogs. It started with rescuing a single animal. Her bond with Kuna, a wolfdog who became her greatest teacher, sparked a deep passion and a calling to protect these animals that she couldn't ignore.

“Kuna inspired me to create a safe space where these animals can live full, enriching lives and be accepted for who they are,” says De Caigny.

“Spending my life with these animals and learning some of their behaviours and their mannerisms literally taught me to be a better human being. Not the other way around. I did not teach Kuna to be a better wolfdog. She taught me to be a better human.” What began as a personal turning point has grown into one of the world’s most specialized sanctuaries. Today, the sanctuary is home to more than 70 wolfdogs, all thanks to Kuna.

"Honestly, all of this exists and I do what I do... because of one wolfdog. Just one."

What is a wolfdog?

Wolfdogs are hybrids, created by breeding domestic dogs such as German Shepherds or Huskies with grey wolves. The result is a complex, high-energy animal that carries instincts of both animals. Not quite dog and not quite wolf, they’re extremely intelligent and deeply driven by their environment.

Wolfdogs are also widely misunderstood.

“People are drawn to how beautiful they are,” says De Caigny. “But the real appreciation comes when you understand who they are on the inside.”

Each animal has its own distinct personality. Some are curious and social. Others are cautious and independent. Visitors quickly learn that these aren’t one-size-fits-all animals, and that their behaviour shifts depending on how much wolf content they carry.

Wolfdogs as pets

Wolfdogs are a serious challenge to keep as pets. Their instincts run deeper than most owners expect, and that gap often leads to trouble. This is where the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary steps in.

Many wolfdogs arrive when owners realize they’re not equipped to care for such complex animals. This sanctuary steps in when few others can, but it regularly receives more surrender requests than it can take on.

Education is key

Rescue is only part of the work. Education plays just as critical a role. The more people who understand what wolfdogs need, the fewer will end up displaced in the first place.

It’s a long-game approach that aligns closely with sustainable tourism, where awareness and responsibility shape better outcomes for both animals and visitors.

“We play a very large role in the rescue of wolfdogs, but we’re also that voice that helps prevent wolfdogs from ending up in homes that aren't prepared for them," De Caigny explains. “We’re truly here to serve and advocate for them.”

Self-guided and interactive wolfdog tours at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

The sanctuary is built around experiential education. Here, visitors don’t just observe. They learn by being present and engaged. There are three distinct experiences to choose from, including a self-guided walk, introductory tour and interactive tour.

1. Self-guided tour

The self-guided Sanctuary Walk offers guests the chance to explore at their own pace, moving through viewing areas overlooking the enclosures. Interpretive signs and staff insights help decode behaviour, from how wolfdogs communicate to how they form social bonds.

2. Introductory Tour

Guided tours go deeper. The Introductory Tour brings guests inside a viewing platform for an up-close guided talk. Visitors learn the differences between low, mid and high-content wolfdogs, seeing firsthand how behaviour shifts across the spectrum.

A low-content animal may approach with ease, accepting treats and seeking interaction. A high-content wolfdog may hang back, assessing the situation before deciding whether to engage.

3. Interactive Tour

On the fully Interactive Tour, small groups go directly inside the enclosures with the wolfdog packs for a rare, close-range experience. On this tour, most visitors find their perspective rearranged as they share space with the animals, observing subtle cues and body language. It is immersive, and for many, unexpected.

“People come thinking they will just see beautiful animals,” says De Caigny. “They leave with a completely different perspective.”

What catches visitors off guard is how familiar they feel. Wolfdogs are social, family-oriented animals, and the parallels to our own behaviour run deeper than most guests expect, explains De Caigny.

"We have a lot more in common with these animals than we realize," she says.

Know Before You Go: Tips for visiting Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

• Both the Introductory Tour and the self-guided Sanctuary Walk are wheelchair and stroller-accessible.
• The Interactive Tour requires a reservation and is open to visitors aged 15 and older.
• The Introductory Tour accepts drop-ins and welcomes guests aged 10 and up, while the Sanctuary Walk is open to anyone aged six and up.
• All proceeds go directly to supporting rescue operations.

Can you pet a wolfdog?

It depends. Encounters are always on the wolfdogs’ terms, not ours. Yet on Interactive Tours, visitors have a rare opportunity to get an up-close, personal view of the range of personalities on display.

A low-content wolfdog, with fewer wolf characteristics in its DNA, may wander right over, curious and sociable in the way a domestic dog might be. Don’t be surprised to see tails wagging and a nudge that makes it very clear someone wants scratches behind their ears.

A high-content animal is a different story. They’re more reserved, often choosing observation over interaction. Rather than seeking touch, they may approach out of curiosity, drawn by scent or movement. When to visit Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and how to get there

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is open year-round, Thursday through Monday. Getting there requires a car—there's no public transit to the site. But the drive itself, through the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is an experience in itself.

How to get to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary from Calgary or Banff

From Calgary

The sanctuary is about a 30-minute drive northwest of Calgary, tucked in a quiet stretch of landscape between the city and the mountains. It's not quite the Rockies nor the prairies, but an in-between place that suits its residents perfectly.

From Banff

For travellers exploring the Canadian Rockies, the sanctuary slots naturally into a day away from the mountain scene. It also works well as a stop between Calgary and Banff, or a standalone afternoon from a base in Cochrane, Canmore or Calgary.

Top things to do in Cochrane

Just beyond the sanctuary gates, the town of Cochrane opens into a landscape made for exploration and connection. Every trail, river bend and small-town stop invites travellers to experience Alberta at their own pace.

Here are the top things to do in and around Cochrane.

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

Wide-open grasslands ripple under vast Alberta skies, with trails that tempt explorers to wander further than planned. History and wilderness intersect at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, where visitors can hike or bike while getting a taste of a legit working ranch.

Guided horseback riding

Trade pavement for hoofbeats and head deeper into the backcountry near Cochrane. From one-hour trots to multi-day rides in the Canadian Rockies, Saddle Peak Trail Rides push beyond the expected, offering a raw, immersive way to experience Alberta’s wild spaces.

Paddling adventures on the Bow River

For a different perspective, explore the landscape from the water. For the action inclined, raft the Bow River’s gentle currents with Hunter Valley Adventures. Or, glide peacefully past cottonwoods and open banks while learning to stand-up paddle with Kelsey’s Caravan.

Craft breweries in Cochrane

Swap stories over a cold pint in Cochrane’s growing craft beer scene. Whether it’s Rockyview Brewing’s sun-soaked patio downtown or the laid-back taprooms of Half Hitch Brewing Company and Sheepdog Brewing, these breweries offer a well-earned pause, and a taste of the region’s agricultural roots.

Historic downtown Cochrane and local makers

There’s a creative current that runs through the town of Cochrane. Admire the globally renowned bronze work at Studio West Bronze Foundry. For hands-on workshops led by local artists, look to Route 22 gallery, The Commonworks, and Unique Soapstone Experiences.

MacKay’s Ice Cream

A post-adventure stop that’s practically a rite of passage in Cochrane, MacKay’s Ice Cream serves small-batch scoops made with fresh, 100% Western Canadian cream. For a true taste of Alberta, tuck into a Saskatoon Berry or Haskap Berry cone.

The Cave Sauna Day Spa

After a day outdoors, sink into a different kind of immersion at The Cave Sauna/Day Spa. This reset feels both primal and restorative, with soothing saunas, invigorating cold plunges and Kneipp hydrotherapy.