Become an American Bear Association Member

The achievements made thus far at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary have been the result of heroic efforts of a small, but growing group of volunteers and members from across the world. Only through your membership contributions will the Sanctuary survive and our work on behalf of the bears continue.

With your help, see what we’ve achieved so far and our plans for the future. Please help us to continue to make a difference by joining today!

Membership Packages

“Basic” – $50/year

  • Tri-Annual subscription to Bear in Mind, the publication of the VSWS
  • Official ABA/VSWS window cling
  • 2 One-time use guest passes for free admission during public hours, Tuesday-Saturday 5PM-8PM from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend (excluding Monday’s)

“Friend of the Cubs” – $100/year

Basic member package plus:

  • 8×10 Photo of cub(s) and a certificate in padded cover
  • “Friends of the Cubs” Lapel Pin
  • Recognition in Bear in Mind
  • 2 guest passes for unlimited, free admission during public hours (must present membership card and ID), Tuesday-Saturday 5PM-8PM from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend (excluding Monday’s)
  • 10% off our in-store and online gift shop (must present membership card and ID)

“Sustaining Member” – $250/year

Basic member package plus Friends of the Cubs package plus: 

  • 5 postcards of bear cubs
  • A copy of “Bear Man” DVD – featuring the life and legacy of Vince Shute
  • Recognition in Bear in Mind
  • 2 guest passes for unlimited, free admission during public hours (must present membership card and ID), Tuesday-Saturday 5PM-8PM from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend (excluding Monday’s)
  • 10% off our in-store and online gift shop (must present membership card and ID)

“Lifetime Member” – $1,000.00 (One Time Fee)

All packages plus:

  • Lifetime membership card
  • Lifetime membership plaque
  • One lifetime pass for free admission, good during public hours, Tuesday-Saturday 5PM-8PM from Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend (excluding Monday’s)
  • 10% off our in-store and online gift shop (must present membership card and ID)

Matching Gifts

Thousands of companies throughout the US have Matching Gift programs. Your employer may be one of them. Through these programs, companies match, double, or even triple individual, tax-deductible contributions made by their employees. Please click here to find out if your company participates in a Matching Gift program. If your employer is not listed, check with the Personnel Office to determine whether there is such a program.

Join Now!

The American Bear Association is a 501(c)(3) Tax-exempt, Nonprofit Organization. Your contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by federal and state laws.