About Stafford

Stafford Animal Shelter is an open-door facility that accepts all pets in need regardless of age, species, breed or medical condition.  We have no length of stay restrictions so animals are welcome with us until they find their forever homes. We accept every pet; abandoned or homeless, unwanted litters from unspayed and uneutered animals, and those confiscated from hoarding and cruelty cases. As the only nonprofit animal care facility in Park County, we serve the people and pets of the greater Southwestern Montana including Gallatin, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Meagher, Fergus counties and beyond.  We are the  only shelter in the region that accepts all lost and unwanted domesticated pets in our "Zoo" where we can care for a wide range of animals from exotics, rabbits, birds, reptiles, rodents, fish, small mammals and more.   We also serve as the care facility for at large animals, cruelty cases and emergencies for city and county officials and first responders. Of all the animals we take in, approximately half are reclaimed and half are adopted. Every cat, dog, kitten, puppy and rabbit are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before being adopted out. 

We love working with the Livingston community, and we're happy to work with everyone who can help us improve the lives of our pets, maintain our facility or help at outreach events. Contact Christa Nelson our Director of Operations at Cnelson@staffordanimalshelter.org for information on various opportunities below: 

• Dog Walker/Cat Cuddler: help our cats and dogs exercise and relieve stress. Stop by Wed-Sun from noon to 4:30 and spend a 1/2 hour with our animals. Remember to bring your ID! Dog walkers must be 16+.  (Under 16 must be accomplished by a guardian). 
• Odds 'n' Ends: Help us fold laundry, clean windows, craft items, sew blankets & various projects. 
  
• Outdoor Maintenance: Weed, garden, shovel snow, fill bird feeders, care for our play yards etc.
  
• Foster Folks: Open your home to animals that need special socialization,  sleepovers, a shelter stress break or round-the-clock medical care.  Varying degrees of opportunities are available based on your experience. 
  
• Group Volunteer Projects: We love corporate volunteer groups and school tours however, please note that we limit the number of group visits per month and the age of the participants due to the space in our shelter and staff availability.  Please contact Christa to reserve a spot. 
• RVSP:  Retired Senior Volunteer Program opportunities are available,  please reach out.
• High School or Court-Ordered Service Hours: We have special projects from time to time so feel free to email our Director of Operations and find out how you can help.
• Special Events & 3rd Party Fundraising: To help with annual events,  party planning committees or fundraisers on our behalf,  contact our Executive Director, Lauren Smith, Lsmith@staffordanimalshelter.org.  (3rd Party Fundraising agreement and preapproval is needed in order to fundraise, represent or collect funds on behalf of Stafford Animal Shelter.)