We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacy Gunderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacy below.

Alright, Stacy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a business owner, especially one running an animal sanctuary like Animal Tracks, is a unique journey filled with immense challenges and rewards. Every day, I carry the weight of these animals’ lives, ensuring they have the resources, care, and environment they need to heal and thrive. But sometimes, yes, I do wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, with set hours and a clearer boundary between work and personal life.

The last time I had one of those “what if” thoughts was after a particularly exhausting day. It was one of those scorching California afternoons, about 108* and we were experiencing equipment issues with the sanctuary’s cooling misting systems. My day had started at 5am and would not end until well after the guests had left, animal needs had been met and I fixed the broken system no matter how late that was as tomorrow was going to be another brutally hot day.

At that moment, I felt a little envious of people who can clock out at 5 PM and leave their work worries at the office. I pictured a calm desk job, maybe with air conditioning and predictable hours—an idea that seemed so foreign yet almost tempting at that moment.

As I worked on the repairs, I started to hear the sounds of the sanctuary: the chatter of the capuchins, the quiet rustling of the serval, the birds calling. These animals are here because they needed a safe haven, and we’re the only home they know. They depend on us for survival and well-being, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I realized that, while a regular job might offer a simpler lifestyle, the fulfillment I get from this work—knowing I’m giving these animals a second chance—is irreplaceable.

Owning and operating Animal Tracks is incredibly demanding, but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles I could imagine. It’s not just a job—it’s a mission that’s deeply intertwined with who I am and what I want to contribute to the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always had a deep connection with animals, especially growing up in Southern California, where I spent a lot of time outdoors. My career in animal care began after I graduated from the exotic animal program at Moorpark College in 1989. Shortly after, I worked in the film industry as an animal trainer. This role allowed me to travel widely and gain invaluable experience working with diverse species, from birds to primates and more.

In 2008, my career took a major turn when I took over Animal Tracks, a sanctuary that was originally founded to rescue animals affected by human intervention. Since then, I’ve focused on creating a sanctuary that gives these animals a second chance, particularly those who came from traumatic situations like the exotic pet trade or injuries in captivity. Today, Animal Tracks is home to over 70 animals from 26 species, each with its own story and needs.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Animal Tracks operates with a clear mission: to provide a safe, healing space for these animals while also educating the public. Our sanctuary is not a zoo or a petting zoo—it’s a home where animals can live out their lives in peace. One of our primary goals is to educate people, especially children, about the responsibilities we have toward wildlife. Our programs, which reached about 2,500 people last year, are designed to teach compassion, promote conservation, and help people understand why exotic animals shouldn’t be pets.

One of my greatest sources of pride is seeing the change in animals who come to us scared or traumatized and slowly blossom in a safe, nurturing environment. I believe Animal Tracks is a sanctuary that speaks for animals who can’t advocate for themselves, and our educational programs aim to inspire a greater sense of responsibility in everyone we reach. My hope is that through our work, people will gain a new perspective on wildlife and be moved to support animals in ways that respect their natural lives and habitats.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I feel to effectively manage a team, whether it be employees or volunteers and keep morale high, you must have a balanced approach focusing on communication, recognition, and growth opportunities.
1.Morning meetings keep my team informed about decisions, goals, and changes with the animals, I recognize achievements, and say my thank you’s. I also make sure to invite anyone attending to speak if they feel something needs to be addressed.
2. I encourage growth by providing learning opportunities where we go as small groups and have Animal class. One day it will be on predators another day, it will be on omnivores another day it will be on herbivore, etc. Everyone is welcome. These classes teach us to think more like the animal and less like a pet owner.
3.I encourage teamwork. It takes a village to effectively care for these animals. I have people from all walks of life who for the most part put their differences aside and care for the big picture which is the animals they love. I’ve seen it bring people out of depression and give them a second home. We need to feel needed, and we all want to feel a little wild.
4. I set clear expectations. People who have been there the longest are expected to help train and care for the newer people coming in. When expectations are clear, people feel more secure and know what to work towards.
5.I lead by example. I will never ask my team to do something I am not willing to do myself. I am the first one on the compound in the mornings and often times the last one to leave in the evenings .
6.I believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated. Try to walk a mile in their shoes and see their perspective and encourage them to treat others the same way whether it is a human or one of our furry friends.
7.Last, but not least celebrate achievements, from birthdays and anniversaries to welcoming new animals and allowing people to mourn the ones we lost.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Some resources have definitely helped shape my approach to management and running a nonprofit, especially when it comes to combining ethics, education, and animal care. Here are a few that stand out:
1. Books on Animal Behavior: Reading about animal behavior, particularly works by Jane Goodall, has profoundly influenced how I approach working with animals. Goodall’s observations and insights into primate social structures and empathy resonate with my experiences at Animal Tracks. Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn, was a wonderful eye-opening read that made me ponder and think about human responsibility towards animals.
Different, by the late Fran de Waal
and Manipulative Monkey by Susan Perry, gives you a primate perspective in a human world.
2. Nonprofit Management Guides: Books like The Nonprofit Management Handbook has been indispensable. It covers everything from fundraising and volunteer management to structuring finances for sustainability.
5. Conservation Documentaries: Watching documentaries about wildlife conservation has influenced how I prefer to educate the general public. Seeing others in the field work with such dedication reminds me of the importance of advocacy and the need to educate about the realities of exotic animal ownership.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.animaltracksinc.org
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/animaltracksinc
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/animaltracksinc
• Linkedin: https://www.LinkedIn.com/company/animal-tracks-sanctuary/
• Twitter: http://x.com/animaltracksinc
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCciDLfXbWoPpSSeQWdKpI1Q
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@animaltracksinc

Image Credits

Stacy Gunderson
Matt Carey