Amid the quiet plains of the North West, a one-of-a-kind Wolf sanctuary is fighting for survival – home to more than 170 rescued animals, including South Africa’s only registered pack of wolves.
All Hearts Foundation (AHF), founded in 2016 by Lexi and Ronnie Austin, has become a last refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected animals ranging from dogs and pigs to exotic birds and wild hybrids. But as winter sets in, AHF is sounding the alarm: rising costs, drought conditions and shrinking donations have pushed the sanctuary to the brink.
“We’ve skipped meals so the animals don’t have to,” says Lexi Austen, co-founder and full-time caregiver at the 8-acre sanctuary. “We never imagined we’d be here—asking for help so publicly. But it’s no longer just difficult. It’s desperate.”
Wolf sanctuary with no government funding
Despite housing one of the only wolf packs in South Africa and all together 70 wolves, rescued from abuse and illegal captivity, AHF receives no government funding and corporate support has been minimal. The sanctuary now faces more than R250,000 in critical needs, including veterinary bills, food for over 160 animals and emergency fencing and shelter repairs.
Daily survival, zero guarantees
From sunrise to long after dark, the small AHF team cares for animals that few others would take. Some are injured, others elderly. Most have been failed by humans before. “There’s no funding safety net,” says Ronnie. “Just heart, hard work and hope.” Running at full capacity, the sanctuary is supported entirely by donations and the grit of a tiny team working in all conditions, often without enough resources for even basic operations.
Cape Town-based rescue-driven pet lifestyle brand, Snores & Toots, has stepped in to launch a national campaign to raise awareness and secure funding through the winter. The campaign runs until 31 July and is calling on South Africans, businesses and animal lovers around the world to help keep the sanctuary afloat.
“This isn’t a campaign for likes,” says Xander Collen, co-founder of Snores & Toots. “It’s a lifeline for animals that don’t get second chances. Lexi and Ronnie show up every single day without fail. Now they need us to show up for them.” The running cost is approximately R180 000 every month.
The cost of compassion
According to AHF, the immediate goals of the winter campaign include:
- Covering six months of food supply for the animals
- Settling overdue vet bills and utility expenses
- Urgent repairs to broken fencing and damaged shelter structures
- Funding vaccinations and medical care for incoming and high-risk animals
All donations are made directly to the sanctuary, with Section 18A tax certificates available for South African donors. The total fundraising target is R250,000.
A call for collective rescue
The campaign, under the tagline “Real Rescue. Real Urgency. A Sanctuary on the Edge.”, emphasises grassroots effort over polished marketing. “This is about survival, not branding,” says Xander. “It’s about compassion in action.”
While wolves are the headline, the sanctuary is also home to pigs, monkeys, cats, birds and a diverse mix of creatures, all with stories of trauma and transformation. AHF has given each of them not only shelter, but dignity.
“We chose this life out of love,” Lexi reflects. “And even on the hardest days, we wouldn’t change it. But we can’t do it alone anymore.”
For more information, to donate, or to partner with the campaign, click here or contact [email protected] or [email protected].
