“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” 

                                                                                                          ~ William James

We are pleased and extremely grateful to announce today that Wild Paws Midwest Animal Sanctuary will soon be the sole owner of the 80 acres of land in Polk County, Wisconsin that houses our resident wild animals and our caretaker residence.        

We have recently secured funding to complete the purchase of the Wisconsin property from the Estate of Michael L. Hamlin. Our fundraising efforts can now be focused entirely on the care and well-being of our current and future wild residents.

Sometimes in life one is lucky enough to meet certain individuals with the same passion and goals, in which the people become a collaborative team to create something unique and exceptional. Wild Paws was created out of such a group of individuals. One of our founding members, Michael L. Hamlin, or Myk as we all knew him, was a principal lead in doing the start-up work and also in searching for the right location for our sanctuary. 

Myk’s passion was always wild animals, and his wife Daryle’s is growing wild plants; their love influenced each other to combine their passions into one. When the right piece of property was found, Myk and Daryle were tremendously generous in providing much of the initial funding to purchase the land. A contract for deed was set up, which the Wild Paws Board of Directors (past and present) has been diligently donating the funds to pay off since 2018. Daryle made the decision that at a certain point, the estate would forgive the loan, and in this act of generosity, she truly honors Myk’s legacy. 

Daryle also spearheads the Wild Paws Memorial Garden and work continues on the expansion of a prairie restoration section of this garden. Many native pollinator plants have already been established, certain trees planted, and an edible garden for our residents is also in the planning stages. Daryle continues to work in her own garden, as well as to grow plants from seed to share with Wild Paws.

Daryle’s unwavering support of Wild Paws in Myk’s honor has helped to make the dream a reality for the displaced wild animals in our care.

The date of February 2, 2024 was specifically chosen as this day commemorates the date of what would have been Myk’s 80th birthday.

To read more about Myk and his memorial,

please click here.