Wild Animal Sanctuary Responds to Backlash Over Huge Payment Increase

A carnivore rescue facility on Colorado’s Eastern Plains increased fees for daily visitors this weekend from $15 to $50. Operators of the Wild Animal Sanctuary, a 720-acre sanctuary 30 miles northeast of Denver, said the price increase is part of a necessary, cost-driven plan to encourage potential patrons to become long-term “supporters” of the facility.

The sanctuary is a 501(c)3 public non-profit—much like a Humane Society for cats and dogs—and has to rely entirely on private contributions, fundraising events, and grants from foundations to stay in operation. The vast majority of the money they raise each year comes from small donations by everyday people who care about the welfare of these animals enough to make a donation as often as they can. Someone who donates $200 to the sanctuary, over a 12-month period, is recognized as a supporter, said Pat Craig, the organization’s executive director. Supporters can visit the sanctuary without paying a daily fee. They can also bring guests, who will also be admitted sans daily fee. 

By Tuesday, more than 1,700 people had left comments on the Sanctuary’s Facebook page, many protesting but other supporting the tripled entrance fee. Their public statement:

“We want to address the recent changes to the visitor policies at the Sanctuary, as it has caused much grief for a certain demographic of people. Being a non-profit Sanctuary, we face unique challenges in order to exist.

Our mission to rescue and care for large carnivores requires an incredible amount of time, money and dedicated commitment by thousands of people, and it’s no small feat to successfully address the complexities that come with running a facility the size of The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Following our secondary mission to educate the public about the Captive Wildlife Crisis is also something we hold dear to our hearts. Thus, we made the choice to open our doors to the public nearly 12 years ago in order to reach those people who never knew the problem existed.

Over the past 12 years, we have been able to greet well over 2 million people to the Sanctuary’s 720 acre facility, and we have seen the issue of Captive Wildlife spread throughout Colorado… the U.S… and even in dozens of other countries around the world.

We are extremely grateful for the million+ people who chose to visit us, and even more grateful to those that subsequently chose to continue their support of our mission by becoming regular donors. By doing so, they demonstrated their understanding of how important continuous support is to a non-profit.

Unfortunately, over the past 12 years, there has also been a downside to having people come to visit, as there is always a percentage of the population that chose to come to the sanctuary for entertainment purposes instead of to learn about the issues behind our existence. Sadly, these people felt we existed for their benefit, and not for the welfare of the animals living here.

Year by year, the percentage of people who came for the wrong reasons grew – while at the same time – true animal advocates continued to come and value the concept of supporting a worthy cause. Yet, as the scales continued to tip in the wrong direction, we held true to our commitment to educate the masses about the problem of Captive Wildlife.

But today there is a new beginning, as the Sanctuary has fulfilled its obligation to reach out to those who did not know, as the millions we have educated are now passing the message on in a way that is nothing short of viral. The time has come for us to focus on a culture of giving rather than taking.

Our past entry fees have a long and complicated history beginning with the early years when we used to not charge anything for people to come visit us. In those days, the visitors were people that had heard of the great work we were doing from a friend, family member or coworker.

Their intentions were to learn about us and the animals we rescued, and then choose to support us – or not – based on the level of value they perceived. It was a simple equation and more than 95% of the people who came saw great things happening and became life-long supporters.

Yet, as more people began to come visit, they constantly demanded we should have a set fee to get in. The idea was somewhat comical in nature, as they could always come for free… but somehow they felt the fee structure would save the animals (rather than just leaving a donation).

Of course no one would want to pay anything more than what they might expect at a similar facility (i.e. the zoo)… and so the new entry fee concept was born. Yet, for us, all we wanted was for people to learn about the Captive Wildlife Crisis and possibly become an ardent supporter in the process.

Over the next decade, the costs associated with having the public visit grew astronomically. Everything from the number of parking lots, bathrooms, employees and other items associated with the public ballooned. As a result, the fees that people paid to get in did nothing to help the animals… and rarely covered the costs of being open.

However, those people that did visit, and did become active donors, became the heart and soul of the organization, as they knew the true cost of saving lives. For them, they knew they had a responsibility to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.

Today, the Sanctuary is proud to say we have one of the best facilities in the country, where more than 400 rescued carnivores live and thrive – all due to the dedicated supporters we have. There is no link to our being a Sanctuary for animals and that of a facility where people can go to be entertained.

So for those people that become upset their favorite entertainment venue has changed its policy, we want to remind you that the Denver Zoo is open 7 days a week. They have a wonderful array of species for you to go enjoy, and we hope you have a wonderful and entertaining visit.

For everyone else who realizes our Sanctuary has struggled and sacrificed enormous amounts of time, money and energy to save animals and give them a wonderful home, we welcome you to visit and consider becoming an active supporter. Please come join the thousands of other people that made that choice the first time they walked through our doors, and see how we will greet you with open arms.

You see, it’s not about the amount you donate – as that isn’t what is important. What is critical, is that you realize the nominal entry fees never did anything to help the animals and its time to begin supporting an organization that makes a real difference in the lives of animals.

Our animals may look the same as those you see at the zoo, but in reality, they are vastly different in many ways. Ours were not bought, traded or surplused… and would be deceased today had we not been there to rescue them.

Unfortunately, most of them existed to entertain people in their former lives, which caused them great harm. Once we were able to rescue them, and provide them with a wonderful home were they no longer had to perform, we made the conscious choice to always protect them from being used for entertainment.

So the time has come to re-foster and solidify a culture where people value the lives of the animals living here. If you don’t, then there is no need to visit the Sanctuary. Remember, our support does not come from admission fees, and that is why we will always allow active supporters to visit for free!

If you need a place to take your relatives or out-of-town guests, or feel the need to go see wild animals, please choose the appropriate venue for your personal entertainment. Conversely, If you cherish the lives of rescued animals and want to see them live out their lives in peace and harmony, please become an active supporter of The Wild Animal Sanctuary!”

Author: Amber Johnson

Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.