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 the 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. In 2021, YVAS entered into a contract with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office to house and reunite lost dogs. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to provide an open door policy to County cats at this time. 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 every year. Despite being one of the largest shelters in the state, YVAS has one of the smallest staff when compared to others in Montana; employing 5 part-time and 12 full-time staff members. 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 wellbeing of the animals in the community.
The first step to adopting any animal begins with a simple application. Dog Applications or Cat Applications or Other Animal 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. From there staff uses their knowledge of the current population to give you suggestions and help you select the right pet. Since this pet will be a new member of your family, we hope that your household has a thorough discussion and everyone approves. 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. While we strongly encourage family meets at YVAS, we do not require them for cats. If you rent your home, be sure to verify your pet policy. We will need a verbal confirmation from your landlord that cats are approved pets for your residence. Applicants must be at least 18 years or older. (Not only is pet ownership a big responsibility, but our adoption contracts are also legal documents that require the signatures of an adult.). After you’ve found the right pet and have an approved application, then we make it official! The adoption paperwork takes about 30 minutes. For this final step, we will need a photo ID, adoption fees, a few signatures, and you’re set. (Please note that we only accept cash or credit card)
Billings MT 59101 | 3.1 miles away
Help for Homeless Pets (HHP) is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter operating in Billings, Montana, and serving primarily Yellowstone County since 1998. Our primary goals are: 1) to find permanent homes for homeless pets; and 2) to promote spay/neutering in an effort to curb pet homelessness and other tragic consequences caused by overpopulation. HHP does not kill or euthanize animals; rather, we p
Billings MT | 3.2 miles away
We are a foster home based rescue located in Billings, Montana helping rescue stray dogs on Indian Reservations in south central Montana. We get them spayed or neutered, puppy/dog vaccines, good food and loving. Then we find them wonderful furever homes. Consider adopting a rescue dog today!
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