At the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, staff members have a difficult time imagining a world without volunteers.

"I think (an absence of volunteers) would truly affect how we operate," said Michelle Vandernewt, the education coordinator at Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania. "We started as a volunteer organization. The volunteer program is our backbone. All of our tour guides are volunteers. They come here in all kinds of weather. Some have been here a long time."

A popular Lancaster County tourist attraction located at 465 Speedwell Forge Road, Lititz, the 80-acre Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania is home to nearly 50 rescued and relocated wolves. The task of maintaining and operating the wildlife refuge and caring for the wolves in their natural setting can be daunting, but it is one performed by 10 paid staff members and more than 50 dedicated volunteers.

"They are people who fell in love with wolves," said Vandernewt. "They're people who genuinely care about wolves. They are people who like helping with wildlife. Our volunteers have such a passion for what they do."

To express their appreciation for their contributions, officials at the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania recognize those efforts through posts on social media. The posts, which include photos and short narratives, are typically made on the anniversary of the volunteers' start days, or "rescue dates."

"We try to honor them publicly, and we try to express our gratitude when they're here," said Vandernewt.

Volunteers at the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania typically work five- to six-hour shifts. Many of the volunteers are local, but some drive as much as two hours to volunteer there.

On any given day, as many as 15 individuals are volunteering at the wolf sanctuary. The volunteers' work is scheduled based on their availability.

"I really think it's the wolves," said Vandernewt. "Volunteers visit before their interviews, and some fall in love with the wolves. They can't help but stick around."

Among the duties performed by volunteers at the wolf sanctuary are tour guiding, animal care, cleaning and general operational duties.

The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania hosts large fundraisers and offers guided and self-guided tours. When conditions are right, the wildlife refuge can host as many as 2,500 visitors per month.

"Our volunteers are great at interacting with the public," said Vandernewt. "They share their passion for wolves. Our tour program is a big fundraiser, and our volunteers really help run that."

The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania was founded by Lititz residents Bill and Barbara Darlington in 1980. The facility was a private sanctuary before becoming a nonprofit in 1993.

As it has evolved over the years, the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania has added to its resident wolf population, hired more staff members and reinvented its methods for educating the public about wolves.

For additional information, go to http://www.wolfsanctuarypa.org.