A charitable corporation located within the boundaries of Angeles National Forest, the facility was founded in 1976 by animal activist Martine Colette, who resigned in May 2019 as president and chief operating officer.

[3] In addition to large animals such as big cats and bears, it at one time housed the largest group of chimpanzees in the Western United States.

[5] In September 1995, the Waystation was contacted after some big cats escaped from Ligertown in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

They rescued 27 lions and ligers from "filthy, feces-filled tunnels and pens," many of them in poor health and ranging from cubs to full grown adults, but 19 others were killed by authorities in the roundup.

[6] The Wildlife WayStation was seeking to move from its mountain location, possibly to the northern edge of Palm Springs, in 2007.

[2] The California Department of Fish and Wildlife took charge of the facility and responsibility for finding acceptable new homes for the animals.

The Wildlife WayStation was the focus of the first episode "Walk on the Wild Side" of Marcel's Quantum Kitchen on the SyFy channel.