Who We Are
What we strive to uphold everyday for our residents.
Our Story
Lifelong care for non-releasable animals since 1983.
Accreditation
YWS is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association.
Our Team
Learn more about our dedicated team of professionals.
Our Mission
Providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of education and conservation.
YWS Seeks to Be
A respected, accredited wildlife sanctuary, providing lifelong care to wildlife from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem unable to survive in the wild.
A valued source of education about Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife and conservation.
A welcoming, accessible, and safe place for visitors and groups.
A well-governed, well-run, and financially stable and sustainable nonprofit organization.
Our Core Values
Animal Welfare
The physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the wildlife in our care is our primary drive, and everything we say and do will support that value.
Cultivating Stewardship
For our sanctuary, our community, our ecosystem, and our planet to continue to thrive, all who enjoy them must make conscientious, informed choices about our use of resources and our behavior in those spaces. We strive to foster the will and the knowledge to do so in others, and we must lead by example.
Commitment to Responsibility
All decisions we make for the sanctuary and the animals in our care must be founded on fact-based metrics, current scientific research, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
A Culture of Collaboration
To be a successful team, our staff, board, and volunteers must work together in a spirit of creativity, synergy, and mutual respect. YWS promotes a culture of collaboration not only within our organization, but also with our peers and colleagues, and with our larger community.
Our Story
In 1983, a group of Red Lodge area residents formed a nonprofit to provide lifelong care for local animals in need. Learn more about our background, how resident animals and birds come to YWS, our funding, and what to do if you find an injured or orphaned animal.
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Holds the Prestigious American Sanctuary Association Accreditation
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary first earned accreditation from the American Sanctuary Association in 2019, and we are proud to display the ASA seal of approval.
To achieve ASA accreditation, member sanctuaries must comply with high-quality animal care and habitat standards. YWS earned accreditation through a detailed application process and on-site visit by an ASA representative who evaluated our habitats, veterinary care, emergency plans, animal care procedures, and more.
Accreditation assures our visitors, donors, and grantors that YWS operates transparently, meets high professional standards, and participates actively in a network of sanctuaries working on behalf of animals in need.
Our Team
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is led by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers devoted to the welfare of all of our residents that we have the honor of serving.