We don’t have many, but the rules we do have are designed for the comfort and benefit of the animals and the viewing pleasure and safety of visitors, so it is important that you understand the rules and follow them.

Welcome Center personnel will review Sanctuary rules with you before you enter the viewing areas, and there is a sign listing the rules posted at the foot of the ramp to the main observation deck. Other signs are posted at the Sanctuary entrance, around the observation decks and along the fences around the parking lots and along the road leading in to and out of the Sanctuary. We greatly appreciate your adherence to the Sanctuary rules!

​

• No slowing or stopping your car to view animals while driving in to the Sanctuary parking lot. No approaching the habitat fences when in the parking lot.

 

The animals we have rescued are very territorial by nature. When people approach the fences, or slow down to view the animals while driving in and out of the Sanctuary, it tends to make the animals nervous or excited. We ask that you respect their needs and stay away from the fences when you are walking back to your car, and when you are driving in and out of the Sanctuary.

 

• Children must be with adults at all times. Small children must be in strollers, or have their hands held by adults.

 

• School groups and other large groups of visitors with children must have an adult-to-child ratio of no more than 5 children for each adult supervisor.  Groups that arrive with less adults than required will be denied entry into the Sanctuary.

 

• No running or yelling. These things disturb or excite the animals unnecessarily.

 

• Absolutely NO SMOKING or using tobacco or e-cigarettes anywhere on Sanctuary property. The Sanctuary is located on the high plains, and it is very dry by nature. In addition, Bears have very sensitive noses (way better than dogs), and some of the Bears, before being rescued, were addicted to nicotine by their trainers, so they would do their tricks to get their nicotine “fix.” We ask that you help keep the animals’ home safe, and pleasant, for the animals.

 

• No dogs are allowed anywhere on the property, and you are not allowed to park your car outside the Sanctuary's entrance and leave your dog in the car while you walk the quarter mile to the Sanctuary. Please see bulletin below for the reasons why.