Into the Wild: Monica Breckenridge Visits The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado
What happens when one of Colorado’s biggest animal lovers steps into a sanctuary filled with lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and countless rescue stories? You get one unforgettable episode of American Dream TV!
For Pink Realty CEO Monica Breckenridge, animals have always held a special place in her heart. As an avid animal lover and photographer, she has a natural appreciation for the beauty, personality, and spirit of wildlife. So when the opportunity came to visit The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, for an episode of American Dream TV, it was more than just another stop, it was a truly meaningful experience.
And this was one adventure that was anything but ordinary.
A Sanctuary Like No Other
Located just northeast of Denver, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest sanctuary in the world dedicated to rescuing captive exotic and endangered large carnivores. Established in 1980 by founder and Executive Director Pat Craig, the organization began with a simple but powerful mission: rescue animals that had been abused, abandoned, exploited, or illegally kept and give them a safe place to live out the rest of their lives.
Today, the sanctuary has grown into an extraordinary network of facilities and expansive natural habitats. The organization says it has responded to more than 1,000 rescue requests over the years, caring for hundreds of rescued animals across its properties.
But there is something incredibly important to understand when visiting:
This is not a zoo.
These animals are not here for entertainment or to perform for visitors. They are survivors.
Many arrived after living in heartbreaking conditions—inside tiny cages, private homes, garages, basements, backyards, roadside attractions, or facilities that could no longer care for them. Others were rescued from abusive or illegal situations or came from zoos and other facilities where overcrowding or closure left them without a safe future.
As Monica learned during her visit, every animal here has a story.
And now, they have a forever home.
Walking Into the Wild
One of the most unique aspects of The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the way visitors experience the animals.
Rather than walking through traditional zoo-style exhibits, visitors travel along an elevated walkway that stretches approximately a mile and a half through the sanctuary. The design allows people to observe the animals from above without entering their space or making them feel threatened.
During Monica’s visit, Public Relations Director Austin Hill explained that founder Pat Craig recognized early on that animals were more comfortable when people weren't standing directly inside or immediately beside their territory.
The result is an experience that feels remarkably different from a traditional wildlife attraction.
You aren't asking the animals to come see you.
You're stepping into their world.
And sometimes, their world comes alive right in front of you.
During filming, Monica spotted a bear running across the habitat, a perfect reminder that these aren't animals waiting behind glass for visitors to arrive. They have their own schedules, personalities, instincts, and choices.
They can roam.
They can rest.
They can explore.
They can retreat into their dens.
They can simply be animals.
Let Them Be Wild
Perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of Monica's visit was learning about the sanctuary's underground bear dens.
Some rescued bears arrived having never experienced something as natural as hibernation. At the sanctuary, specially designed underground dens provide temperature-controlled spaces where the bears can follow their natural instincts and hibernate.
Even on a hot Colorado day, an animal can retreat underground to rest and cool off.
And that's the point.
The animals aren't here to live on our schedule. They're finally allowed to live on theirs.
The sanctuary works to replicate natural behaviors as much as possible, including feeding animals on a random schedule rather than allowing them to anticipate exactly when and where food will arrive. These choices encourage natural behaviors and help create a more enriching environment.
It's a philosophy that goes far beyond simply providing food and shelter.
It's about giving these animals back a piece of the life they were supposed to have.
Every Rescue Has a Story
Monica also learned about the coyotes living at the sanctuary, who were surrendered from a zoo in Mexico after construction drastically reduced the size of their habitat.
Instead of remaining in an increasingly confined environment, they were given a chance at something better.
And apparently, they made their feelings about their new home very clear.
They love it.
Stories like this are everywhere at The Wild Animal Sanctuary. Some are difficult to hear. Some are heartbreaking. But they all lead to the same incredible outcome: animals who once lived in neglect or confinement now have space, safety, care, and dignity.
That is what makes this place so special.
A Mission Powered by People
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and its work is made possible largely through the generosity of supporters, donors, visitors, volunteers, and people who believe in its mission.
As Austin shared with Monica during the episode, the sanctuary isn't simply funded by a government agency or city.
It exists because people care.
Every habitat, every rescue, every meal, every medical treatment, and every day of care represents an enormous commitment to these animals.
The sanctuary's mission goes beyond rescue, too. Education is a major part of its work. By allowing visitors to see rescued animals living in expansive habitats while learning about their histories, the organization helps shine a light on the larger captive wildlife crisis and encourages people to think differently about exotic animal ownership and animal welfare.
A Photographer's Dream and a Heartfelt Experience
For Monica, the visit carried an especially personal meaning.
As someone who loves both animals and photography, she has a deep appreciation for capturing the beauty and individuality of wildlife. But at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, photography becomes more than simply getting the perfect shot.
It's about witnessing a second chance.
A lion stretching beneath the Colorado sun.
A bear racing across an open habitat.
A wolf exploring its surroundings.
A coyote relaxing in its den.
These aren't simply beautiful photographs.
They're photographs of freedom.
And that makes them all the more powerful.
For Monica, this episode of American Dream TV was a chance to share a place that reminds us that every animal deserves compassion, respect, and the opportunity to live with dignity.
Discover Your Own Colorado Adventure
Colorado is known for its mountains, trails, wildlife, and wide-open spaces—but sometimes the most unforgettable adventures are found in places that tell a story.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is one of those places.
It's wild. It's educational. It's emotional. It's inspiring. And most importantly, it's making a difference for animals that desperately needed someone to step in and help.
So the next time you're looking for a Colorado adventure, consider going a little wild.
Walk the bridge.
Look across the expansive habitats.
Listen to the stories.
Watch the animals simply be animals.
And remember that behind every incredible creature you see is a rescue story—and a team of people dedicated to giving them the life they deserve.
Monica's American Dream TV adventure may have started with a visit to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, but the message she brought home is one worth sharing: sometimes the greatest adventures are the ones that leave your heart a little fuller.
Ready to Go Wild?
Learn more about The Wild Animal Sanctuary, its rescued animals, conservation and education programs, and ways you can support its mission through The Wild Animal Sanctuary.
And be sure to watch Monica Breckenridge's American Dream TV segment to experience this incredible Colorado destination alongside her!
