Stacy Gunderson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Stacy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing happiness — not the fleeting kind, but a deeper joy that comes from building a better world for my children and for the animals who’ve been left behind. At Animal Tracks that means giving injured, abandoned, and exploited creatures a chance to heal, and teaching people how to live more kindly with wildlife. That work feeds me: it’s where my hope and energy come from.
If that chase stopped, I think I would lose more than a job — I’d lose my purpose. Without this mission I’d feel untethered, because caring for these animals and fighting for their future is what shapes my days. Still, the need would remain, and I’d want whoever steps in next to carry that urgency and love forward.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stacy Gunderson, and I am the Director of Animal Tracks, a nonprofit sanctuary in Agua Dulce, California. For nearly two decades, Animal Tracks has been a safe haven for exotic animals who, through no fault of their own, could no longer survive in the wild or remain in private homes. From wolves and monkeys to kangaroos and armadillos, our sanctuary is home to over 70 animals from 26 different species.
What makes Animal Tracks unique is that we are not a park or a petting zoo — we are a place of healing. Every animal here has a story of survival, and our mission is to provide them with the best possible life while sharing their journeys through education. We believe that when people come face to face with these animals, they develop a deeper understanding of why wildlife belongs in the wild and why conservation matters.
Personally, I’ve dedicated my life to this work because I believe in the power of education and compassion. Last year alone, we reached thousands of children and adults, inspiring them to think differently about wildlife and the role each of us plays in protecting the planet. Right now, we’re working on expanding our educational programs, creating eco-tourism opportunities, and building even stronger advocacy efforts for primates and other vulnerable species.
Animal Tracks is not just my career — it’s my purpose. It’s where passion meets responsibility, and I’m proud to lead an organization that gives both animals and people the chance to connect, heal, and grow.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
“The moment that really shaped how I see the world goes back to my childhood. My parents were kind of hippies — we spent our time outdoors, camping, and glued to nature shows. That’s where I first discovered Jane Goodall, and she made a profound impact on me. She showed me that one person could dedicate their life to caring for animals and protecting wild places, and from that point on, I knew that my life’s purpose would be about taking care of nature. That single spark has guided every step of my journey.”
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’m in incredibly challenging times right now. Getting older is scary in many ways — physically, I can’t always do what I once did alone, and that shift is hard to face. On top of that, we’re in the middle of a huge budgetary crisis that is affecting everyone, especially organizations focused on conservation. It often feels like the natural world is treated as an afterthought.
And yet, animals continue to remind me why I fight so hard to keep going. They are healers. They represent balance, resilience, and the best parts of the natural world. Even in these difficult moments, they inspire me to stay committed — because caring for them is not just about saving animals, it’s about saving a piece of ourselves.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
“I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong today by treating conservation and animal welfare as side issues, something to care about only when everything else is going well. The truth is, they’re not extras — they’re essentials. Without healthy ecosystems and respect for the natural world, our own survival is at risk. Animals are not just background scenery; they’re part of the web that sustains us. When we ignore that, we’re ignoring our own future.”
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell is one of quiet stubbornness and persistent love. That I showed up every day for lives that had been discarded or overlooked. That Animal Tracks became more than a refuge — it became a classroom, a healer, and a place where people learned to see animals as sentient beings deserving of respect. I hope they say I fought hard to protect a fragile part of our world, that I lifted up others to continue the work, and that through education and compassion I left a little more wonder and a lot more care in this world than I found.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.animaltracksinc.org
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/animaltracksinc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/animal-tracks-b626a7106?trk=contact-info
- Twitter: http://x.com/animaltracksinc
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/animaltracksinc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/animal-tracks-agua-dulce
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCciDLfXbWoPpSSeQWdKpI1Q
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@animaltracksinc
