The board of directors of both Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and Friends for Life Forever Farm have announced that an organizational merger is currently underway.
Friends for Life has had ongoing difficulties with former staff and leadership. As a result, the organization’s board feels it is in the best interest of the animals, staff, volunteers, and the community to stop operations of its sanctuary and merge the organization into a more stable organization. Since both Brother Wolf and Friends For Life have similar missions — to help save vulnerable and special needs animals — Friends For Life approached Brother Wolf for assistance through the transition.
“Initially when we began the conversation with the board of Friends For Life, we thought that we could help them overcome the challenges they were facing. We were hopeful we could help them stabilize operations and continue their work. During the discovery phase of our work, however, we determined that the organization was not in a place where they could continue to safely operate, and that it would be in the best interest of the animals and the community to instead work to transition all of the animals into the care of Brother Wolf. At this time, we are helping the Friends For Life board tie up loose ends in preparation for this transition,” said Denise Bitz, Brother Wolf’s Founder and President. Brother Wolf will be absorbing the remaining assets of Friends For Life and will take on care of the remaining animals and any liabilities.
“Our top priority right now is to intake the animals currently living at the Friends for Life sanctuary property in Lake Toxaway so that we can get them the medical care they need, and either get them into foster care or adopted into loving homes” says Brother Wolf’s Director of Animal Care, Audrey Lodato. “Unfortunately, many of these animals have complex medical issues that will require a lot of veterinary care up front. There will be a tremendous cost associated with getting these animals the care they need.”
Brother Wolf has invited any staff members who are currently employed by Friends For Life to apply for open positions at their organization and encourages all volunteers who want to continue to help the animals to visit their website to get involved.
If you would like to donate to the care of the animals affected by this merger, please visit www.bwar.org/donate or mail a check to: Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814.
If you are interested in fostering one of the Friends for Life animals, please visit www.bwar.org/foster to get started.