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Beyond the Contract: The Work Continues

We believe that “Communication is Care” and feel it’s time to let the community know about the situation at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter for the past two months. This has been one of the most trying times in our history, second only to our emergency move one year ago.  

Langlas & Associates Donates Warehouse to Help Build YVAS’s Future

“One of our great memories, and one of the things we miss most, was feeding Hank.” said Steve Langlas. Even in his old age, the portly black lab always displayed “pure enthusiasm” at feeding time, a daily source of enjoyment for the Langlas family. “This is why we wanted to donate to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS)”.

J&M Trailer gifts much-needed trailer to YVAS

“Whether we were transporting TNR equipment, moving kennels and desks, or hauling supplies, or even moving building entirely, we always relied on the generosity of volunteers who were willing to lend us theirs. Not anymore!”

YVAS submits new proposal to city seeking renewed partnership

“YVAS and the City of Billings had worked together for 18 years before hitting the expiration date, following a tumultuous year that started with an incinerator malfunctioning while police burned drugs at the original location on Monad Road. Since then, the shelter has been relocated three times, now residing in a warehouse on Jellison Road.”

YVAS Announces Future Site of a Permanent Facility!

“Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is ecstatic to reveal the generous donation of land that will soon become the home of the future YVAS facility. Donated by the extraordinarily kind Waggoner family, this 5-acre land donation ultimately changes the course of YVAS’s future, giving the shelter a final point of hope following its displacement in September 2025.”

YVAS Reveals Self-Serve Microchip Scanner

“The City of Billings and Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter are negotiating a contract that will decide whether the shelter keeps taking in stray animals for the city. As those talks continued, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter set up a microchip scanning station outside its building so people could try to reconnect found pets with their owners on their own.”

The Huskies in the Heat

“Over the past month or so, many concerns have been raised both on social media and to local authorities regarding a man residing in a camper pulling a trailer housing 12 huskies. Many people have questioned the welfare of the dogs and the safety of their living conditions, whether they’re cared for, get exercise, and most recently how they are faring in this heatwave…. “

The End of an 18-Year Partnership: What It Means for Billings’ Animals.

[…] “Where do the animals go on July 1? That is the question that kept this community up last night after the Billings Police Department released a statement announcing the reopening of the city-run animal shelter at the old Monad location. Let us give you some history… “

Animal rescue groups push neutering and spaying to solve Hardin cat problem

[…] “We kind of got to a point where we felt like we weren’t really getting anywhere with them and they were still talking about options for mass relocation or euthanasia,” said Bailey. Another group, Hardin-based Hamster Boy and Tiger Lilly Rescue, planned to partner with YVAS to begin TNR efforts.”

Nearly 1,000 feral cats roam Hardin as city weighs euthanasia plan

[…] “The shelter said it stepped back after a Hardin City Council meeting where staff felt council members were not open to the idea. Riley Bailey, head of veterinary services at YVAS, said the group had already spent time trying to explain why it believed the approach would help long term.”

Local Animal Welfare Advocates Urge Hardin to Reconsider Ineffective Approach to Community Cat Crisis

[…] “Despite being provided with extensive educational resources, scientific studies, examples of successful programs implemented in communities across the country, and input from well-known animal welfare experts, the council has indicated reluctance to pursue TNR as a management strategy. Instead, discussions have centered around relocating and/or euthanizing the assumed 1,000 cats as a primary solution.”

All About the Animals- Yellowstone Valley Women’s Magazine

“The headlines told part of the story — toxic smoke, injured staff, and at-risk animals. But the untold story of what happened next is nothing short of heroic. Click to read more about those with the Yellowstone Valley Animal shelter and what they hope for their next chapter.”

While some aspects of what happened that day, now referred to as simply “the accident,” remain hazy, here’s what is clear:

The city of Billings allowed 188 pounds of meth seized by federal law enforcement to be burned in the crematorium operated by the city’s animal control division, which shared a building with the shelter.

YVAS Rebounds Strongly after Displacement

“We were concerned when it all initially happened, but we got so much support, it made some of us cry,” Shelter Community Engagement Coordinator Izzy Zalenski told the Gazette.

YVAS Hosts Open House to Celebrate New Foster Home:

March 7, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at 5056 Jellison Road for a family-friendly Open House celebrating this exciting new chapter. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the new shelter setup, explore work-in-progress animal care areas, and see firsthand how the updated housing better reflects the standards of care and compassion YVAS strives to uphold.

YVAS Hosts Annual Bingo Night!

Bingo with Bingo’’, a fun way to spend your Valentine’s Day! This event features an evening of fun, friends, (and most importantly–) gambling! This event is designed to not only serve as a fundraiser for the local nonprofit, but as a means to show some real love to the community that supports YVAS year-round.

YVAS Hosts Annual Dental Nominations:

The program is designed to support underserved pet owners who may not have the financial means to afford routine or advanced dental care at a traditional veterinary clinic. From cleanings to extractions and follow-up care, the giveaway helps ensure pets can eat, play, and live pain-free lives.

A Grateful Goodbye:

Following the September 10 incident that forced YVAS to evacuate all animals, staff, and volunteers, the shelter was left without a facility and temporarily unable to serve the community. Lionheart Cannabis stepped in immediately, offering rent-free warehouse space where YVAS operated for four months. This support allowed the shelter to continue caring for animals and maintain essential services during a time of uncertainty.

YVAS officially opens doors to (temporary) new facility.

Pawprints in the Right Direction

The Billings Community- A Paw-sitive Place!🐾

Home for the Holidays!

“…fostering is a powerful way to give back. You may not be able to adopt right now, but you can still give an animal the greatest gift of all: a home for the holidays!”

Newman Restoration dedicated more than 448 hours to the highly specialized cleaning and recovery effort. As a final act of generosity, Newman Restoration is donating $10,000 to the Paws and Rebuild Capital Campaign, helping YVAS move closer to building a new state-of-the-art shelter that better serves the region’s animals and families.

…”leaders of both organizations believed it would be helpful to meet together to increase trust and discuss future operational issues.”

Improvise. Adapt. Rebuild. 🐾

After careful consideration, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) has made the difficult decision not to return to our former building on Monad Road and will be ending our lease agreement with the City of Billings…

A Long Read on a Complicated Story: A Statement From Our Director

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter began to fill with smoke, resulting in a complete evacuation of the building – both animals and humans. Immediately, it was determined that the smoke was coming from a contained but malfunctioning burn in the incinerator on site…