The Wild Animal Sanctuary was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1980, and has been operating for more than 41 years. The refuge is open to supporters daily, and is run by staff and volunteers. The Wild Animal Sanctuary operates three accredited sanctuaries for abused and abandoned great cats and bears. The rescued animals are not bred, sold, or otherwise commercially exploited in any way. The Sanctuary has two facilities located in Colorado and one in Texas, and utilizes more than 10,500 acres to shelter 650 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other large carnivores. The Sanctuary operates the largest carnivore sanctuary network in the world, and its facilities are the only sanctuaries that provide large acreage (5 to 300 acres in size) species-specific habitats for their rescued animals. The Sanctuary also provides direct on and off-site education to more than 2,000,000 people per year concerning the Captive Wildlife Crisis.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1980, and has been operating for more than 41 years. The refuge is open to supporters daily, and is run by staff and volunteers. The Wild Animal Sanctuary operates three accredited sanctuaries for abused and abandoned great cats and bears. The rescued animals are not bred, sold, or otherwise commercially exploited in any way. The Sanctuary has two facilities located in Colorado and one in Texas, and utilizes more than 10,500 acres to shelter 650 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other large carnivores. The Sanctuary operates the largest carnivore sanctuary network in the world, and its facilities are the only sanctuaries that provide large acreage (5 to 300 acres in size) species-specific habitats for their rescued animals. The Sanctuary also provides direct on and off-site education to more than 2,000,000 people per year concerning the Captive Wildlife Crisis.
Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.
Program Name
Amount Spent
% of Program Expenses
Animal Care
$13,604,483
75.5%
Public Education
$4,310,111
23.9%
Animal Rescue
$95,882
0.5%
Ratings History The Wild Animal Sanctuary has received 10 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
