Mission Statement

St. Francis Animal Sanctuary & Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. At St. Francis Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, our mission is rooted in compassion, responsibility, and the belief that every animal deserves safety, dignity, and a chance at a better life. We exist to protect animals with nowhere else to turn, including those who are ill, elderly, abandoned, or overlooked, by providing lifelong sanctuary, lifesaving rescue, and the medical care needed to heal and thrive.

Beyond our sanctuary, we work alongside high intake municipal shelters and rescue partners to reduce euthanasia and help communities move toward no kill outcomes. When systems are overwhelmed, we step in to pull animals from crisis, provide critical care, and create pathways to adoption, transport, or permanent sanctuary.

In times of disaster, we stand with animals and the people who love them, offering emergency shelter, resources, and support to help keep families together when it matters most. We are also committed to strengthening our communities through education and advocacy, promoting responsible pet ownership through spay and neuter, vaccinations, and preventative care.

Everything we do is guided by compassion and accountability, and by a deep respect for the lives entrusted to us. Our mission is not only to save animals today, but to build a more humane future where no animal is forgotten and every life is valued.

History

St. Francis Animal Sanctuary & Rescue was founded in 1999 by mother and daughter Pam Perez and Heidi Krupp in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Inspired by a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, they returned home with a shared vision to create a formal sanctuary where animals with nowhere else to turn could find safety, care, and compassion.

With the support of dedicated donors and volunteers, St. Francis soon expanded beyond its original footprint. The organization acquired land in Tylertown, Mississippi, and began building a true sanctuary from the ground up. Over the next two decades, houses, kennels, and care facilities were constructed, transforming the property into a loving and permanent home for abandoned, neglected, and at-risk dogs and cats.

Today, St. Francis spans more than 52 acres and cares for over 600 animals each year, including both adoptable animals and permanent residents who call the sanctuary home for life. A dedicated team provides daily care, medical support, and enrichment, ensuring each animal’s physical and emotional needs are met.

Adoption events are held regularly, and animals who are not adopted remain safe at the sanctuary for as long as they need. St. Francis also operates a cat adoption center in Mandeville, open six days a week, and partners with rescues across the country to transport animals to loving homes in other states. Through sanctuary care, adoption, transport, and rescue partnerships, St. Francis continues to expand its impact far beyond its immediate community.