Mission Statement

St. Francis Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is committed to providing a safe haven for animals in need. Our mission encompasses offering sanctuary to ill, un-adoptable, and elderly animals, while also providing rescue, medical care, and temporary shelter for adoptable animals until they find loving homes.

We are dedicated to collaborating with animal welfare organizations, particularly high-need municipal shelters, to help lower euthanasia rates and achieve no-kill status. Additionally, we aim to promote responsible pet ownership through advocacy for spaying and neutering, proper vaccination, and the use of monthly preventatives.

History

St. Francis Animal Sanctuary 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 to New Orleans with the passion and knowledge to establish a formal sanctuary to serve their area. With the support of donors and volunteers, they acquired 24 acres in Tylertown, Mississippi, and began construction. Over the past 20 years, they have built houses and pens, creating a loving home for abandoned cats and dogs.

Today, St. Francis spans 52 acres and is home to over 400 animals, some adoptable and others permanent residents. Our dedicated team cares for the animals daily, with veterinarians tending to the sick. Adoption events are held on weekends, and if an animal is not adopted, they remain at St. Francis. Additionally, a cat adoption center in Mandeville operates six days a week. Several times a year, animals are transported to loving homes in other states, ensuring that the sanctuary's reach extends beyond its immediate community.