B1: Cub Nursery: This is where our smallest rescue cubs come if they are in need of intensive care, such as cubs that should still be inside dens with their mothers. It’s a standalone outbuilding designed to keep cubs warm and comfortable in the dark, just like they would be inside a bear den.
B2: Walk-In Cooler: Exactly what it sounds like! Our walk-in cooler is a full standalone building dedicated to temperature controlled food storage for all our resident rescue bears.
B3: Dry Food Storage: Any food that does not require being kept chilled is stored inside this standalone building.
B4: Release Building: This is the final stop for all rescued cubs before they are returned to the wild. In this standalone building, cubs are weighed a final time, given a full medical examination, and then prepped for transport to where they will be released to live out the rest of their lives in the wild.
CUB HOUSE: A “mini Hartley House,” this was the original indoor containment building constructed for keeping cubs inside a controlled indoor environment before release into outdoor enclosures.
HARTLEY HOUSE: Built in 2019, this large indoor rescue facility was built through the generosity of the Friends of Appalachian Bear Rescue and features four large individual containment rooms connected by shift gates. Each room has a door leading to outdoor acclimation pens, and the main room has everything from a fridge for food and formula storage to enrichment items, medicines, emergency supplies, and more.
MAIN OFFICE: A full on-site office featuring multiple monitors to keep eyes on all cubs across the facilities at all times through our expansive camera system and live feed. Features a full kitchen, washroom, and bedroom so staff can be present on-site 24/7 to monitor and tend to cubs.
RED ROOF RECOVERY CENTER: A specialized indoor rescue facility featuring two rooms with drop down gated ceilings that prevent injured cubs from standing up on an injured hind leg. Each room has access to small outdoor acclimation pens.
WILD ENCLOSURES 1 & 2: The original outdoor enclosures built back in the 1990s to rehabilitate black bears in a natural environment. Both feature sturdy cedar climbing structures, dens, pools, acclimation pens, and all native/natural flora. When in any wild enclosure, rescued black bears have access to anywhere from 1 to 2 acres. All wild enclosures are lined with top-strength electric fences and thick, hard plastic mounted onto chainlink fence to prevent curious bears from escaping. Fences also extend underground and beneath the ground of the wild enclosures to prevent tunneling in or out.
WILD ENCLOSURES 3 & 4: The second set of outdoor enclosures to be built, these acre pens feature dense hardwood forest, climbing structures, dens, pools, acclimation pens, and more.
WILD ENCLOSURES 5 & 6: The newest outdoor enclosures, these expansive acres were built through the generosity of supporters during our Cubs Forever Campaign (2025). Each features climbing structures, hardwood forests, pools, dens, acclimation pens, and much more to ensure the best possible natural rehabilitation for rescued black bears.
*Tool, Vehicle, and Wood sheds are also located on-site, alongside an incinerator and guest house.
