Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007 and officially took over the sheltering of the City’s companion animals in 2009. It is a common misconception that Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is a division of the City of Billings. While we do maintain a contract with the City to care for Billings’ lost/stray animals, we are separate entities. In fact, our City contract accounts for less than one-third of the shelter’s annual income, leaving us to raise the remainder of our budget through other means. YVAS also maintains contracts with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Laurel Police Department to house and reunite lost dogs. YVAS hopes to one day provide an open-door policy to County cats. We will accept cats from outside Billings city limits on a case-by-case basis, depending on adoptability and availability of space.
Over the last decade, YVAS has grown to become the largest shelter in Montana, intaking over 5,000 animals every year. YVAS has also made many changes over the years; ever-evolving to provide the best care for animals and the people of the Billings community. Our current shelter programs include reuniting lost pets with their owners, adoption, foster care, volunteer, outreach & education, low-cost spay & neuter clinics, and our life-saving Working Cat Program. We have recently partnered with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program to increase our lifesaving capacity and improve the health and well-being of the animals in the community.
Mission and Vision
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter is dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond by providing compassionate and high-quality care, education, and resources to the community.
Adoption Policy
How to Adopt at YVAS
At the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, we strive to help you find a pet that is the best match for your home.
Step 1 - Complete an Adoption Application
The first step to adopting any dog begins with a simple application. Applications can be filled out ahead of time, or you can complete them in person at the shelter. This application will help staff get a quick snapshot of your home, lifestyle, needs/wants for a new pet, etc. Our staff will then use their knowledge of the current population to give you suggestions and help you select the right dog.
Applicants must be at least 18 years or older and bring a photo ID. Not only is pet ownership a big responsibility, but our adoption contracts are also legal documents that require the signatures of an adult.
Step 2 - Meet and Greets
Since this dog will be a new member of your family, we need all parties (including your significant other, roommates, children, current dog(s), etc.) to be happy with the choice. We have meet and greet yards on-site where everyone can be introduced in a neutral space. Please note that we stop doing meet and greets (and adoptions) one hour prior to close so that our dogs have time to relax and play outside after a long day.
Step 3 - Verifying Rental Pet Policies
If you rent your home, be sure to verify your pet policy with your landlord prior to adopting.
Step 4 - Making it Official
After you’ve found the dog and we have an approved application, then it’s time to make it official! The adoption paperwork takes about 30 minutes. For this final step, we will need a photo ID, the adoption fee, a few signatures, and you’re set. YVAS is only able to accept cash, debit cards, or credit cards, excluding American Express.
https://yvas.org/adopt/dogs/
Testimonials
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David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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