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Keepers of the Wild
Valentine, AZ · EIN 880345277 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE D310 · Animal-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.keepersofthewild.org
revenue
$2.2M
expenses
$2.5M
net assets
$1.9M
employees
32
volunteers
10
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

Protect and Care for Exotic Animals

profile · synthesized from sources

Keepers of the Wild is an accredited wildlife sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona, dedicated to rescuing and providing lifelong care for abused, neglected, abandoned, and retired captive wild animals. The organization also focuses on public education and advocacy to promote humane treatment of animals and eliminate their exploitation.

named programs · 9 · from sources

what they call their work

Adopt-A-Fox Program
A specific animal sponsorship program for foxes, where sponsors can name a fox and receive an Adopt-A-Fox Box with gifts and a certificate.
Advocacy for Animal Protection
Advocates for the protection of animals from illegal breeding and pet trades, and works to set new standards for the ethical treatment of exotic and wild animals through public education and legislative measures.
Animal Sponsorship Program
Allows individuals to sponsor an animal, contributing to its food, medical care, and enrichment, and receiving a personalized certificate and photo.
Guided Feeding Safari Tours
A guided tour where visitors can observe big cats and carnivores during their feeding time.
Guided Safari Tours
Offers an hour and fifteen-minute guided tour through the 175-acre sanctuary, providing facts and stories about the rescued animals.
Legacy Bench Sponsorship Program
Allows individuals to sponsor a bench within the nature park, contributing to park maintenance and receiving a personalized bronze plaque.
Public Education
Educates the public about exotic and wild animals, ecological and animal welfare issues, illegal wildlife trade, captive breeding practices, poaching, and habitat encroachment through educational signs, tours, and public awareness campaigns.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
Allows visitors to explore the sanctuary at their own pace, viewing animal habitats and learning from educational signs and knowledgeable keepers.
Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue
Provides lifelong care, including top nutrition, medical care, and enrichment activities, for rescued captive wild animals such as big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and indigenous wildlife in large natural outdoor habitats.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Sanctuary Services 5 activities
    • Animal Rescue and Sanctuary Operation
      Rescues and provides permanent homes for over 130 captive wild animals, representing 50 different species including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and birds, on a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona. Animals are received from private owners, legal confiscations, or Arizona Game & Fish.
    • Animal Rescue and Sanctuary Operation
      Rescues and provides permanent homes for over 130 captive wild animals, representing 50 different species including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and birds, on a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona. Animals are received from private owners, legal confiscations, or Arizona Game & Fish.
    • Rescue and lifetime care of captive wildlife
      Rescues and provides permanent sanctuary for approximately 140 wild animals representing 50 species, including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and birds. Animals are received from private owners, court or USDA confiscations, or state wildlife agencies like Arizona Game & Fish.
    • Wildlife Sanctuary Operation and Animal Care
      Operates a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona, providing permanent homes, nutrition, medical care, and daily enrichment for over 130 rescued animals across 50 species, including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and birds. Animals are received from private owners, legal confiscations, or Arizona Game & Fish.
    • Wildlife Sanctuary Operation and Animal Care
      Operates a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona, providing permanent homes, nutrition, medical care, and daily enrichment for over 130 rescued animals across 50 species, including big cats, bears, wolves, and primates. Animals are received from private owners, legal confiscations, or Arizona Game & Fish.
  • Virtual English Language Instruction 5 activities
    • Animal Sponsorship Programs
      Manages sponsorship programs for individual animals, including an "Adopt-A-Fox" program where sponsors can name one of 12 foxes, to support the care of animals at the sanctuary.
    • Animal Sponsorship Programs
      Manages sponsorship programs for individual animals, including an "Adopt-A-Fox" program where sponsors can name one of 12 foxes, to support their care.
    • Animal Sponsorship Programs
      Manages sponsorship programs for individual animals, including an "Adopt-A-Fox" program where sponsors can name one of 12 foxes, to support the food, medical care, and enriching activities for the animals.
    • Animal Sponsorship Programs
      Manages sponsorship programs for individual animals, such as the Adopt-A-Fox Program, which allows sponsors to name one of 12 foxes, to support their care.
    • Animal sponsorship and donor support programs
      Runs sponsorship programs including the Adopt-A-Fox Program, which allows donors to name one of 12 foxes, and general animal sponsorships that fund food, medical care, and enrichment for individual animals.
  • Immersive Wildlife Visitor Experiences 5 activities
    • Public Educational Tours
      Offers self-guided walking tours and 75-minute guided safari tours through the sanctuary, where staff provide information about the rescued animals. The organization also conducts guided feeding safari tours allowing visitors to observe big cats and carnivores during their meals.
    • Public Educational Tours
      Offers self-guided walking tours and 75-minute guided safari tours through the sanctuary, where staff share information about the rescued animals. The organization also provides guided feeding safari tours allowing visitors to observe big cats and carnivores during their meals.
    • Public Sanctuary Tours
      Offers self-guided walking tours and 75-minute guided safari tours of the 175-acre sanctuary, where staff share information about the rescued animals. Guided feeding safari tours are also available for observing big cats and carnivores during meals.
    • Public Sanctuary Tours
      Offers self-guided walking tours and 75-minute guided safari tours through the 175-acre sanctuary, including guided feeding safaris where visitors can observe big cats and carnivores eating.
    • Public education and sanctuary tours
      Offers guided 75-minute safari tours and self-guided walking tours of the 175-acre sanctuary, where staff share information about rescued animals. Feeding safari tours allow visitors to observe big cats and carnivores during meal times.
  • Emergency & Critical Veterinary Care 2 activities
    • Animal Care and Enrichment
      Provides comprehensive care for rescued animals, including food, medical attention through the onsite Santiago Animal Clinic & Education Center, and daily enrichment activities and toys.
    • Animal Care and Enrichment
      Provides comprehensive care for rescued animals, including food, medical attention through the onsite Santiago Animal Clinic & Education Center, and daily enrichment activities and toys.
  • Visitor-Facing Educational Retail Operations 1 activity
    • Gift shop and visitor support operations
      Operates a full-time gift shop staffed by a dedicated host to support sanctuary operations and enhance visitor experience.
  • Uncategorized 9 activities
    • Animal enrichment and habitat maintenance
      Provides daily enrichment activities, enrichment toys, and medical care for resident animals through onsite facilities like the Santiago Animal Clinic & Education Center. Supports habitat and trail upkeep via donor-sponsored programs such as the Legacy Bench Sponsorship.
    • In-kind donation and supply management
      Utilizes an Amazon Wishlist to receive critical supplies such as enrichment toys and cleaning materials, saving thousands of dollars annually through donated goods.
    • Legacy Bench Sponsorship Program
      Operates a Legacy Bench Sponsorship program to support the maintenance of animal habitats and two miles of walkable trails within the sanctuary.
    • Legacy Bench Sponsorship Program
      Operates a Legacy Bench Sponsorship program to fund the maintenance of animal habitats and two miles of walkable trails within the sanctuary.
    • Legacy Bench Sponsorship Program
      Operates a Legacy Bench Sponsorship program to fund the maintenance of animal habitats and two miles of walkable trails within the sanctuary.
    • Volunteer Program
      Provides volunteer opportunities at the Keepers Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary for individuals of all ages and experience levels, available on a one-day or regular basis.
    • Volunteer Program
      Offers volunteer opportunities at Keepers Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary for individuals of all ages and experience levels, available on a one-day or regular basis.
    • Volunteer Program
      Provides volunteer opportunities at the Keepers Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary for individuals of all ages and experience levels, available on a one-day or regular basis.
    • Volunteer and community engagement programs
      Offers volunteer opportunities at the Keepers Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary for individuals of all ages and experience levels, available on a one-day or recurring basis.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$2.20M
Contributions & grants$1.84M84%
Program service revenue$260K12%
Investment income$5K0%
Other revenue$94K
expenses
Total expenses$2.51M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$700K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.13M
Cash$471K
Investments$0
Liabilities$278K
Net assets$1.86M
Liquid reserves2.3 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -8.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 5
  • Charles McHaffie — Board Member
  • James C Burkett — Board Member
  • Mike Daves — Board Member
  • Mimi Morissette — Vice Chairperson
  • Theodora Jory — Board Member
relationships · 13

who they work with

  • Amazon Partner — Partner platform for Wishlist contributions supplying sanctuary needs.
  • Amazon Partner — Platform partner for in-kind donations via a curated Wishlist.
  • American Sanctuary Association (ASA) Partner — Accredited by this organization.
  • Animal Wellness Action (AWA) Partner — Works with this animal welfare agency.
  • Arizona Game & Fish Government — Holds current licensure from Arizona Game & Fish and receives animals placed by them.
  • Arizona’s Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Associations Partner — Recognized by the organizations for high standards of animal care.
  • Historic Route 66 Partner — Located on Historic Route 66, highlighting a geographic and promotional association with the historic corridor.
  • Humane Society Partner — Recognized by the organization for high standards of animal care.
  • Lara Kraft Partner — Vice President and official photographer providing professional images for the Adopt-A-Fox Program.
  • Nevada Wildlife Federation Partner — Recognized by the organization for high standards of animal care.
  • PETA Partner — Works with this animal welfare agency.
  • S.P.C.A Partner — Recognized by the organization for high standards of animal care.
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Government — Holds current licensure from the USDA and receives animals via USDA orders.