Today we’d like to introduce you to Katy Ordway
Hi Katy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When Jonathan and I were expecting our first child, I wanted to change careers to have more flexibility. We ended up buying two apartment complexes, which were major renovation projects because that was what we could afford. This decision launched us into the real estate world. We both are actively involved in the buildings and have added and sold some along the way.
Fast forward to 2018. The Yellow River Game Ranch held a special place in both of our hearts. For Jonathan, having grown up in Stone Mountain, it was a part of his childhood, filled with wonderful memories of seeing and appreciating a variety of animals. For me, it was a place to take our children to learn about and care for animals. We lived in Decatur at the time, and I would take the kids and bring healthy food for the animals.
Unfortunately, as time went on, it became obvious that the Game Ranch was in trouble. I mentioned the deteriorating conditions to Jonathan, and he immediately began trying to figure out ways to help. By this point, we had four children, and I was hesitant to get involved since we were still very busy with our apartments. But once the announcement was made that the Yellow River Game Ranch had closed, Jonathan reached out to everyone he could to ensure the animals would be cared for.
Unfortunately, there are not a lot of resources for older, arthritic bears and other non-releasable wildlife. This is when Jonathan convinced me that we should buy a zoo.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, it was anything but smooth! Jonathan and I both love animals, but loving something is not enough. The structures on the property were in disrepair, and the animals needed better habitats and care. With some advice from the Department of Natural Resources and the USDA, we were able to put together an amazing, experienced animal care team. That was a major relief, but there was still so much repair and building needed to reopen.
For two years, that’s what we did. We installed electrical and water systems, repaved walkways, and completed our crowning achievement: moving the bears from a small concrete pit to a four-acre habitat complete with trees, a waterfall, and a pool. By this time, we were financially spent, and although we would never feel totally ready, we knew we had to open the doors.
We announced our opening date but before that could happen COVID-19 closed everything down. It was definitely a struggle. We faced the unknown of when we would be able to open and whether field trips would ever be a thing again. However, we also felt more fortunate than most since quarantining at a zoo was an incredible experience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is a zoo for animals in need of homes. Whether it’s a deer hit by a car or a bear found abandoned and barely alive, if we can help them, we say yes. In today’s world, where people can watch anything on the internet, Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary reminds us of the importance of real, tangible experiences. Seeing and enjoying an otter up close helps people realize the importance of cleaning up our waterways. Watching raccoons wash their food in the pond helps people appreciate this animal, which is often thought of as a nuisance.
One of my favorite things to do at YRWS is listen to the kids on field trips as they see the bison for the first time. Their excitement is contagious and inspiring.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Talk to everyone because you never know who could contribute in some way or what you might learn. For example, our curator is Clinton Murphy. Before we purchased the old game ranch, I was starting to panic that this might be bigger than we could handle. So we visited other facilities to decide if we were up to the challenge. In a chance encounter at Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens, GA, we met Clint because we were asking questions. Meeting him gave us the confidence that we would be able to find the right people and make this work.
What’s funny is we would have never met him if it were up to me. My parents were tagging along on our trip, and I had given specific instructions not to tell people we were considering saving the game ranch. But my dad is a talker, and next thing I knew, we were shadowing Clint and learning so much. This experience totally changed my introverted self’s approach. Asking for help can be one of the most amazing experiences.
Pricing:
- Adults $20
- Seniors $19
- Kids 3-12 $13
- Kids under 2 are free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yellowriverwildlifesanctuary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowriverwildlife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YellowRiverWildlifeSanctuary
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yellowriverwildlife?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
