Once upon a time, before the Industrial era, there were actually wolves in Florida. Called the Florida Black Wolf, or Red Wolf, they went extinct in the early 1900s. Now, however, there are several wolf and wolfdog sanctuaries around the Sunshine State where you can actually get up close and personal with them. Shy Wolf Sanctuary is one such place and provides safety and rehabilitation for wild and captive-bred animals, and tours run once a day with the opportunity of getting up close and personal with their wolves! View this post on Instagram #mondaymood 😴 A post shared by Shy Wolf Sanctuary (@shywolf_sanctuary) on Sep 23, 2019 at 3:52am PDT Shy Wolf Sanctuary began with one couple’s passion to make a difference in the lives of discarded and abused exotic pets. Their very first rescue was a three-legged leopard named Moondance, and then came four wolf pups in need of a home, then a rescued wolf-dog, and soon their little sanctuary was a thriving oasis for abandoned animals. View this post on Instagram Happy Monday! @chewy #mondaymood #cougar #catsofinstagram #bekind #shywolfsanctuary #rescue A post shared by Shy Wolf Sanctuary (@shywolf_sanctuary) on Oct 14, 2019 at 4:08am PDT The Sanctuary is a nonprofit and runs off the generosity and passion of volunteers and donations of visitors. Visits are kept small and are by appointment only to allow for a more interactive experience. *A $15 booking fee is required to reserve your two-hour long tour. During the tour, you get the chance to learn hands-on and physically interact with the wolves. Donations are accepted at the end. View this post on Instagram Monday howl with Yuki 🎶 #yuki #bekind #mondaymotivation A post shared by Shy Wolf Sanctuary (@shywolf_sanctuary) on Nov 4, 2019 at 2:48pm PST That means getting in the enclosure with the wolves, as well as the opportunity to view their many other rescues, including foxes, prairie dogs, coyotes, wolfdogs, dingoes, bobcats, gopher tortoises, and panthers. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so book your appointment today! For more Florida wildlife experiences, you can go on a camelback safari at this Florida wildlife preserve, and check out this list of the best places to whale watch in Florida! View this post on Instagram Nothing but smiles on Bogie and Senior Volunteer, Tim. #TGIF #friendshipfriday #smile #behappy #fridayvibes #wolfdogsofinstagram #rescue #animallovers #shywolfsanctuary 📸: @caitie_greiser A post shared by Shy Wolf Sanctuary (@shywolf_sanctuary) on Sep 13, 2019 at 10:40am PDT Shy Wolf Sanctuary Price: $15 When: Limited tours offered, reservations are required Address: Located in Naples, FL – Directions will be emailed with reservation confirmation Why You Need To Go: Learn more about the growing need for rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary of unreleasable wild and captive-bred exotic animals through a small-group animal encounter. Website *This article has been updated