Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a harmonious and nurturing sanctuary for animals while enhancing people’s lives through educational interactions with animals, nature, and one another.
Our Values
To continually fulfill our mission we believe three principal values must be upheld:
Respect – Every life is important and deserves to be respected.
Connection – A person’s wellbeing is elevated by meaningful connections with nature, animals, and each other.
Education – Education is vital to improving the wellbeing of and the relationship between animals, people, and nature.
Issues and Challenges to be Addressed
There are a number of major issues our organization has recognized and will be targeting within the various programs we offer.
- While on the decline, out of the 6.3 Million animals entering US shelters each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (ASPCA).
- Perhaps the largest and most preventable cause of euthanasia is overpopulation (Petful).
- Overpopulation is the number one reason for stray or abandoned animals—only 2% of stray cats are neutered or spayed. Public opinion also plays a role. Eighty-one percent of Americans think that leaving a cat outside is better than having it euthanized (Petpedia).
- Following this, animals are often abandoned or surrendered for any of the following reasons (Petfinder, Found Animals):
- Major life changes like moving or having a baby
- Their “cute-phase” has expired
- Behavioral problems most often attributable to improper training
- Poor choice of pet for the situation or lifestyle
- Inability or unwillingness to pay for expensive medical procedures
- Despite the fact that senior animals can be easier, less expensive, and just as loving as their younger counterparts, they make up 5% of the adoption pool and are much harder to get adopted. They make up the bulk of the animals euthanized (The Dodo)
- Even for those animals that are successfully homed, many still face stressful and sad lives. Animals, just like people, require companionship, care, and attention. (Petfinder)
- People are stressed, lonely, angry, and divided. Our mental health in the United States has been exasperated by COIVD-19 (APA).
- We know that having pets offers many benefits for adults and children. Research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise, and are less depressed. Pets may also have a significant impact on social support, and social interactions with other people (NCHR).