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What You May Not Know About Ryder

From Lockwood Animal Rescue Center LARC
June 2023

Ryder was purchased by a drug cartel to defend their drug operation. It is unfortunate that people can purchase a wolf and any sort of exotic animal from breeders in this country. Not only that but wolves are not defenders of human property, in fact they couldn't care less about our "stuff" and they run away from humans (and with good reason). Plus, wolves don't bark so they do not send out an alarm like a dog might do!ext

Wolf Ryder
Soulful Wolf, Ryder...

LARC was able to rescue Ryder, aka Lil Man, from the Wildlife Waystation when that former sanctuary closed down in 2019. The story that was passed along to LARC was that Ryder was purchased by a drug cartel to defend their drug operation. It is unfortunate that people can purchase a wolf and any sort of exotic animal from breeders in this country.

Not only that but wolves are not defenders of human property—in fact they couldn't care less about our "stuff" and they run away from humans (and with good reason). Plus, wolves don't bark so they do not send out an alarm like a dog might do!

Ryder was renamed once he came to live out his life here at LARC and also given the nickname, Lil Man, named for our dear James Thompson who passed away around the same time as the rescue. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife made certain LARC had all necessary permits and licenses to provide the appropriate environment for this pure wolf.

Ryder is a very gentle soul. He cares deeply about his packmate and sure does love his treats. When he gobbles his food it is the epitome of "wolfing it down!" Ryder has the longest canines of any of our wolves or wolfdogs and would have been perfect in the (re-writing) of Lil Red Riding Hood—where "grandma" has such large teeth—except in this re-write Ryder would not be the Big Bad Wolf but the Big Good Wolf!

Everyone here loves him and loves listening to his soulful howls each night. We thank our lucky stars for Ryder!

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