For over 43 years, the Wildlife Waystation provided a home, cared for or rehabilitated over 77,000 animals. Founded by Martine Colette back in 1976, and located on a 160-acre ranch in the Angeles National Forest just north of Los Angeles, California, Martine is credited for changing the entire culture of the welfare and sanctuary of animals. Wildlife Waystation was the very first sanctuary of its kind created in the United States. It was also the first facility to care for chimpanzees from biomedical research laboratories and has the largest chimp population in the Western United States. Colette rescued her first animal in 1965 and Wildlife Waystation was accredited as a 501c3 non-profit in 1977.

The aging facility survived multiple fires, but was extensively damaged in the 2017 Creek Fire and again during flooding in early 2019. This damage created an insurmountable need for funding to meet current standards. At this time, donations are still needed to ensure animal welfare during their transistion to approved sanctuaries, and any funds received will be used solely for that purpose.