COLUMBIANA COUNTY Group secures loan for sanctuary

Although the financial crisis has passed, the nonprofit group will still need donations.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- A Youngstown-based group that's been fighting to save a hybrid-wolf sanctuary has succeeded in its effort.
A bank loan has been secured to pay for the nearly 80 acres of property in remote Columbiana County on which the sanctuary sits, Tiffany Poulton of the Richard E. Flauto Wildlife Foundation, said Tuesday.
"We're definitely thrilled," said Poulton, a group member and one of the animals' volunteer caretakers.
Foundation members are relieved as well, she added.
Had the group failed in its bid to buy the property, an uncertain fate awaited the nearly 25 hybrid wolves that live in the fenced enclosures.
The animals, bred from wolves and dogs, may not have survived a move to another habitat, foundation representatives have said.
Down payment: The foundation put up a 10 percent down payment on the $161,100 price of the property set during a Sept. 4 sheriff's sale.
In the weeks since, the group has scrounged for donations to come up with the nearly $145,000 balance.
The foundation raised about an additional $2,000, far short of the necessary balance.
The situation has necessitated borrowing nearly $143,000 from a bank, Poulton explained.
Fund-raisers: The group will continue to rely at least in part on donations and fund-raisers to pay off the loan, which is expected to go through in the next couple of weeks.
With the financial crisis over, the group hopes to concentrate on educational efforts, Poulton said.
The foundation already has a Web site, www.wolfcountry.net. It envisions one day opening the sanctuary up for educational tours.
The sanctuary was founded in 1997 by Richard Flauto of Boardman.
Flauto died of a heart ailment in 1999 before he could pay off the debt on the property, resulting in its being placed in the sheriff's sale.