Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) will move to a more stable, longer-term location off Jellison Road ending months of operating in emergency spaces.
After four months operating in cramped temporary spaces, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is excited to announce its move to a much larger and more stable, longer-term location off Jellison Road. The displacement lasted just four months, but it felt far longer for the staff, volunteers, and community who supported the shelter through constant change. This move is not intended to be permanent, but it allows YVAS to bring its full team back under one roof for the first time since September marking a significant step forward in restoring effective animal care and organizational unity.
Housing animals, medical staff, and specialized support teams together allows for faster decision-making, better communication, and more responsive care while significantly reducing stress for animals.
“This move fundamentally changes how we are able to care for animals,” said Triniti Halverson, Executive Director. “Having our medical team and support staff working alongside the animals means we can identify needs sooner and provide care without unnecessary delays or stressful transport. This is not our final home, but it is the right step forward for animals right now.”
The move follows the September incinerator incident, after which YVAS made the decision not to return to its former Monad location. Despite decontamination efforts, returning to a building previously exposed to drugs did not align with YVAS’s safety standards or mission. During displacement, operating across multiple locations and in a warehouse environment created significant challenges, particularly for timely medical care, and was not sustainable long term.
At the Jellison Road location, animals now have immediate access to on-site medical care, eliminating frequent transport and improving outcomes for sick, injured and vulnerable animals. Specialized staff – including foster, volunteer, training, and outreach teams – are once again able to interact with animals daily, improving placement decisions and overall well-being.
YVAS is very grateful to Lionheart Cannabis for generously donating temporary space during this uncertain time. With the move to Jellison Road, YVAS has resumed core shelter services and public access in a way that prioritizes collaboration, efficiency, and animal welfare.
Looking Ahead: Building a Permanent Home
While the Jellison Road location provides much needed stability, it is not the final solution. YVAS’s capital campaign to fund and build a new permanent shelter is well underway, with the goal of opening the doors to a YVAS-owned facility within the next two years. Community members can support this new effort by donating, volunteering or spreading the word.
Community Move Day:
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter invites the community to roll up their sleeves and help with the final transition on Saturday, January 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., by assisting with the move of supplies from the former Lionheart location to the new Jellison Road site. Community support during this final push will help ensure animals and staff are fully settled and ready to operate under one roof. Volunteers should meet at 6400 Frontage Road.
Following January 10, all YVAS operations and public services will be located at the 5056 Jellison Road, Billings, MT 59101. The shelter will no longer operate out of the Lionheart location, and community members are encouraged to visit, volunteer, foster, adopt, or seek services at the new site moving forward.
