The mission of The Refuge (officially 1278 Refuge): The rescue of the lost and abandoned, the rehabilitation of the battered and bruised, and outreach to educate and equip the stewards of this world so that we may be called to action, thereby creating safer and stronger communities that thrive on compassion, equality, humanity, and the irreplaceable strength of the human-animal bond.

Now, before I go any further, allow me to explain the meaning behind the number in the official name. A reference to Job, Chapter 12, Verses 7-8 states: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you."

Built on the core values of "rescue, rehabilitation, and outreach," The Refuge is, first and foremost, a sanctuary. Acknowledging both our anything-but-trivial roles as stewards of this earth and ALL its inhabitants as well as the undeniable magic that can take place when animals and people work together and learn from each other, we believe that when we save and care for animals, that gift is returned tenfold by way of companionship, affection, service, enlightenment, contribution to the ecosystem, among others. The purpose of this non-profit, in conjunction with our three core values, is to provide the knowledge and resources for human-animal cooperative programs that not only enhance the lives of the animals but humans as well (i.e. equine-assisted therapy, PTSD therapy for veterans and first responders, training for support and service animals, human trapping and re-release of local wildlife, foster to adopt programs, animal training programs, etc). 

The Refuge is, in many ways, meant to be a second-chance home for animals and people alike. By offering employment to those who would otherwise struggle to find a job, partnering with prisons and juvenile delinquency programs, and taking in those animals who only have one chance left, we will be able to offer an opportunity at a new life for so many deserving souls (for we ALL deserve a true chance at life and to reconcile our past). 

The Refuge will also seek partnerships with educational institutions and school districts to not only offer additional educational opportunities and experiences that reinforce respect for all life but to also offer field and real-world experience to those who are studying or plan to study/practice in an animal-related field. 

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Official Tax-Exempt Organization – The Refuge

The Refuge operates under the fiscal sponsorship of the Women's Non-Profit Alliance, an official 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit parent organization. As an Alliance Partner of the WomensNPA, we are able to accept tax-deductible donations. All online donations may appear on your bank statement as "Women's Non-Profit Alliance,” however, funds are directly credited to The Refuge.

​Through our partnership with the WomensNPA, we have been accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and have earned the GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency for our financial oversight. The ECFA provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, transparency, fundraising and board governance.