About Us
About Our Sanctuary
Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501C-3 organization that focuses on the conservation, preservation, and education of endangered wildlife and livestock. We also offer permanent housing for animals that are in need. Once an animal joins GWWS it will live out the rest of its days with us.
Our History
We originally started out on a five acre facility in 2011, before moving to our current facility in 2014. The Gulf Coast Native sheep were the first species to start our conservation efforts back in 2018. Over the years, we continue to grow with a dedication to our mission
From 2007-2010 the founder of Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary worked as a veterinary assistant for a large animal vet at the local horse track, Tampa Bay Downs. It was there that she noticed the need for a place for the retired racehorses to go for rehabilitation. In 2010 she began taking in some of the thoroughbreds that had reached retirement and needed to be rehabilitated and brought them to her facility that eventually became Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary. Once the horses were rehabilitated they were then placed into permanent, loving homes with the condition that they would return to Gulf Winds if the new owners were ever unable to care for them. A few of these horses still remain with Gulf Winds where they will live out the rest of their lives.
Since then we have ventured out and have been able to offerer many unique animals a chance at new beginning with us. Thanks to our supporters and donors, we have been able to offer all animals that arrive at Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary a permanent and loving home where they are able to receive the vet care, attention, and environment that helps them thrive.
Our Conservation Efforts
We are currently working with the following critically endangered breeds; New Guinea Singing dogs, Gulf Coast Native sheep, Nankin chickens, Jacob Sheep, Blanc De Hotot rabbits, and Belgium Hare rabbits. In the upcoming years, we will be not only working with our current flock of Gulf Coast Native sheep, but we will also be working with the original heritage lines of GCN sheep that dates back to the 1700s. We currently have three of the nine original lines of GCN sheep at our sanctuary that we are working with.
