At the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, animals greet guests, creating the illusion of belonging.
However, many residents are 'non-releasable' due to being orphaned, injured, or habituated to humans.
Mason Williams, the animal care manager, focuses on understanding each animal's needs and sharing their stories to build compassion among visitors.
Williams noted that hearing the animals' stories fosters empathy and respect.
One surprising connection is with a badger Williams has known since it was six weeks old, but Williams avoids anthropomorphizing the creatures.
The sanctuary provides a surrogate community for animals like Claire, an abandoned fox, who benefits from the companionship of others of her species, according to Victoria Bostrom.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary highlights that family can take many forms, even among animals with fur, feathers, scales, or claws.