Help K-Diamond-K Ranch Recover from Wolf Attacks

K-Diamond-K Cattle and Guest Ranch

Proposed KDK GoFundMe Description

Fundraising Goal: $50,000

Hello, we are local neighbors raising funds to assist the K-Diamond-K Cattle & Guest Ranch of Republic, WA after the McKay Family, owners, have suffered devastating animal livestock losses. Local area residents Rob Johnstone and Rocky Logan are organizing this fundraiser.

K-Diamond-K is a Western-lifestyle cultural icon located by Republic, in Ferry County, Eastern WA. It is a traditional dude ranch capturing the American spirit. A very large US and international tourist clientele has benefited from this experience over many years.

Unfortunately, the local community is asked to help them through a current crisis.

Between January 2021 and May 2023, K-Diamond-K has lost cattle, horses, a mare and her colt, pet donkeys, an alpaca, and piglet livestock—all due to repeated attacks by predatory animals. Wolves, operating in hunting packs, have been the main aggressors.

Many local ranchers in Northeastern WA are facing similar attacks on their livestock. Unfortunately, state and local authorities have offered no assistance in removing this serious threat. Ironically, state and federal agencies have been involved in re-introducing wolves and other predatory animals into our communities. Wolves are protected as endangered animals by WA Fish and Wildlife.

Graphic Photo – Wolves Feeding on Killed K-Diamond-K Farm Animal

These wolf attacks decimate livestock in a very savage manner. In some cases, animals are left mortally wounded and not killed outright.

The cost to repair, replace, and sustain a comfortable environment for guests from all over the world, while trying to live with wolves, comes at a big price.

Shared comments from Kathy McKay - “Our family pets, guest horses, and livestock at the K-Diamond-K are routinely being killed by the wolves. Resulting expenses include:

- Game cameras with monthly subscriptions to watch the predators coming in;

- Thermal imaging binoculars and scopes;

- Gas money for night watch volunteers;

- Loss of income with inability to offer horseback riding due to blood on the trail and nervous guest horses;

- Additional commercial hay while horses are secured in the corral when grass in the pasture is not a safe environment;

- The animals killed themselves are often irreplaceable or unaffordable to replace;

- Our dear 4-H/FFA Jersey Milk cow shown at the state level, loved by guests and safe for all ages to milk, killed by the wolves was priceless and replacing her was not easy.

- Mini donkeys enjoyed by kindergarten classroom field trips both killed by the wolves.

- Our cart pony, a mare, and foal also viciously killed by the wolves;

- Jabu, an older Watusi bull often found loitering in the front yard with the kittens, killed by a pack of wolves the same night as a big, beautiful paint mare. Blood dripped and smeared all over the meadow below our home. This horse suffered a brutal death!;

- Guests postponing or canceling their visit until the wolf issue is resolved;

- 6 piglets taken from the barn;

- Alpaca attacked that suffered for a week prior to her death after attempting to save her;

- 5 bulls in total as they are often found roaming the ranch alone and although 2,000 lbs., wolves find them ideal to take down slowly after tiring them and mentally and physically wearing them out, eating them alive from the hamstrings;

- 8 horses in total, and dozens of cows and calves.”

The McKays are financially burdened to replace lost animals and to improve surveillance systems to better overwatch the ranch.

All contributions will go directly to the K-Diamond-K owners at the end of the GoFundMe campaign. Let’s chip in and help the McKays.

Check out the McKay family’s full story “A Will and a Way” via YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrN9DzYrJng

Thank you.