A SANCTUARY FOR ANIMALS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1999 by its Director, Michael Welchynski, to provide a permanent home for unwanted, neglected and abused animals. Prior to establishing the Sanctuary in Spearfish, South Dakota, Michael Welchynski founded and directed Spirit Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. Spirit Valley was an animal refuge facility for injured and orphaned wildlife and for unwanted domestic and exotic animals. Along with badgers, birds of prey, moose and Black bears, Spirit Valley was also home to a Barbary lion named “Hercules”, who needed a permanent home after outgrowing his adopted family’s city apartment, and a Siberian tiger named “Tane”, who was confiscated by Canadian authorities when her owner was caught walking her on a leash in a suburban neighborhood in Saskatchewan. Upon the invitation of Johanna Meier and Guido Della Vecchia, owners and directors of the Black Hills Passion Play, Michael Welchynski transported some 200 animals, including the lion and tiger, across the international border to establish Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Located in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota, the Sanctuary sits on 200 acres of rocky, forested terrain. It is currently home to over 300 animals of 40 different species including tigers, leopards, bears, African lions, foxes, mountain lions, coyotes, lynx, an ocelot, a caracal, and myriad domestic animals including dogs, cats, pigs, goats and horses. Coming to the Sanctuary from South Dakota and its five neighboring states, many of the residents at the Sanctuary were injured or orphaned in the wild (at the hands of people) or have been rescued from illegal breeding operations, fur farms, irresponsible “pet” owners and the entertainment industry. The Sanctuary provides a lifelong home for these animals, free from further abuse and exploitation.

The Sanctuary is licensed by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure the finest veterinary care for the animals and the utmost security and quality of the animal enclosures. The Sanctuary serves not only as an animal care facility, but also offers a vital community outreach component. Walking tours and educational demonstrations by Sanctuary volunteers tell the life stories of each of the residents and provide important information on the plight of their wild brethren, many species of which are now threatened or endangered. The Sanctuary is also partnered with local and regional school districts and each year nearly 3,000 students participate in the Outdoor Learning Center. This outdoor classroom integrates ecology, animal welfare and conservation in a unique hands-on learning experience, and allows rural school children from South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska the distinctive opportunity to experience this menagerie of wild animals up close and personal outside of an often inaccessible metropolitan zoo setting. In light of the recently sanctioned mountain lion sport hunting season in South Dakota, the Sanctuary is dedicated to raising awareness about human and pet safety living in mountain lion country and the vital importance these great cats play in our surrounding ecosystem.

The Sanctuary survives financially on tour admission fees, the generous donations from visitors and local businesses, and the volunteer veterinary care of Dr. David Elsom, DVM. The labor force is made up entirely of hard-working volunteers. Under the direction of its founder, Michael Welchynski, and with the continued support of the local community, Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary will carry on its vital mission to care for society’s unwanted animals by providing them with a lifelong home and a reason for hope.

Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
500 N. Tinton Road
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-2907 • 1-877-761-7754
http://www.spiritofthehillssanctuary.org/index.htm

HELP THE ANIMALS OF THE SANCTUARY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Donations are the primary way you can help, since the Sanctuary operates solely on generous donations, voluntary help, and tour admission fees. We could not exist without the support of local businesses and the Black Hills community. Go to http://www.spiritofthehillssanctuary.org/donations.htm.

BEARS

Some bears live a sad life with an unhealthy diet, poor health care and a totally solitary life, just to amuse their human owners. These bears often end up de-clawed, defanged and unpredictable.
Our bear area is a secluded oak tree grove in which they can live, socialize, and investigate their captive world. Some, if able, will dig dens, others live in shelters, and most of them naturally hibernate. After arrival to Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the males are neutered to prevent breeding and all are vaccinated, identified and de-wormed on a regular schedule by Dr. Elsom. Public interaction is not possible or allowed.

BOBCATS AND COYOTES

Bobcats and coyotes are native to Canada and the United States. Both species are valued by breeding operations and young ones are sold to people wanting a unique wild pet. Others are found as orphaned or abandoned young and inadvertently become semi-tame and a nuisance that cannot be trusted.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Our Director has grown up with dogs as life-long friends. He has created a happy place for unwanted dogs at the Sanctuary. Large yards to run and play in, with the added pleasure of viewing ducks, geese, bears, and peafowl as they carry on their lives.
We take in family pets on a case by case basis and help other shelters give animals a second chance at being adopted into a good home.

BIG CATS

Big cats fascinate many people. That is one of the reasons that their captive life has spread from zoological institutions to circuses, breading ranches and back yard enthusiasts.

MOUNTAIN LIONS

Mountain lions are safer in cages. There are not many places where big game can thrive without the risk of being tagged as a big game species. It is an honor to share a habitat with one of the last North American big cats.

THE YOUNG

The young animals that are pictured are the offspring from incoming pregnant breeding adults.

DOMESTIC FARM ANIMALS

Domestic farm animals find the Sanctuary to be a good place to live. Sometimes we can place animals permanently with understanding and loving families. While are name says Wildlife Sanctuary, the Sanctuary has always been a home for all species of animals who need a place of refuge. Horses, sheep, llamas, donkeys, pig and goats that were unwanted are taken in as a last resort, depending on space.

GEESE AND DUCKS

With various geese and ducks, lawn mowers and fertilizers are unnecessary.

PARROTS

The parrots here are allowed to enjoy the outdoors in the summer months. Our volunteers who care for birds provide human interaction and stimulating activities for the parrots. We believe these animals belong in the care of extremely committed and educated parrot enthusiasts. Their amazing talents, colors and reputations distract from their true nature of being a wild creature.

Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
500 N. Tinton Road
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-2907 • 1-877-761-7754
http://www.spiritofthehillssanctuary.org/index.htm

Job Corps is a federally-funded organization that offers high school drop-outs valuable vocational and technical skills training for future employment. Members of the Job Corps donate labor and materials as they hone their skills in welding, construction, carpentry and fencing. This past month, the Job Corps team even constructed a temporary enclosure by welding together discarded well pipes.

Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
500 N. Tinton Road
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 642-2907 • 1-877-761-7754
http://www.spiritofthehillssanctuary.org/index.htm