The Waggoner Family Leads the Way for the Paws & Rebuild Campaign:
At the heart of every strong community are people who lead with compassion, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of kindness. For YVAS, the Waggoner family has embodied those values for years. With their recent transformational pledge of $2 million to the Paws & Rebuild Capital Campaign, the Waggoners have once again stepped up as true champions for the animals of Billings.
This landmark gift, made in memory of the late Beth Waggoner—an ardent animal lover and advocate—will serve as the foundation for building a much-needed new facility. The Paws & Rebuild Campaign aims to raise $16 million to construct a state-of-the-art shelter that will finally match the level of care our animals deserve. And thanks to the Waggoner family’s leadership, that goal is now within reach.
But this isn’t the first time the Waggoners have made a meaningful impact. Over the years, they’ve generously provided essential medical equipment, funded major infrastructure upgrades like the shelter’s covered dog yard structures, and helped us secure a reliable transport van—each contribution playing a vital role in improving the lives of the animals in our care.
Mary Waggoner, Beth’s daughter, has been a driving force in local and statewide animal welfare since the 1980s. Her deep roots in the cause began at the Animal Welfare League of Montana, where she tirelessly advocated for accessible care, ensuring that every dog had shelter, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services. She later led the campaign to build the existing YVAS facility in the early 2000s, and now, 20 years later, she’s back to help us dream even bigger. Serving as the Honorary Chair of the capital campaign, Mary has made it clear: this new shelter is not only overdue—it’s essential. Our current building, which serves more than 7,000 animals annually, no longer meets the needs of modern animal care. Poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, and lack of space make daily operations increasingly difficult. Mary believes that with the right facility in place, YVAS can do even more for the animals of Billings.
“We are deeply grateful for Mary’s heartfelt contribution, a testament to her lifelong love for animals,” said Norma Buchanan, co-chair of the fundraising committee. “The Waggoner family’s generous donation honoring Beth Waggoner’s legacy will fuel our future fundraising successes and profoundly impact our mission.”
As we continue forward with our campaign, we invite our community to be inspired by the Waggoner family’s legacy of compassion. Their extraordinary support has already transformed what we can do—but with your help, we can build something even greater. Join us as we create a shelter that reflects our community’s commitment to care, dignity, and hope for every animal who walks through our doors. Together, we can build the future they deserve.
