>> Donate to the NAVS Sanctuary Fund
>> Download a Sanctuary Fund Application
The story of the NAVS Sanctuary Fund is the story of broken bodies mended, and of shattered lives made whole again. It's where neglect and abuse are replaced by compassion, where fear melts away with the touch of loving hands, and where uncertainty disappears in the peace and harmony of safe surroundings.
The NAVS Sanctuary Fund is an emergency assistance program designed to serve animals in dire situations where immediate intervention is necessary. Since it was established in 1998, over a million dollars have been awarded to animal sanctuaries and shelters in desperate need of financial assistance.
NAVS’ Sanctuary Fund grants have provided much-needed funds to help rebuild shelters destroyed in hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other disasters; rescue animals from abusive and hoarding situations; transport animals “retired” from biomedical research; conduct wildlife rehabilitation efforts; and support innovative spay/neuter programs.
You can’t always know where or when the worst situation exists. The NAVS Sanctuary Fund provides a direct connection – a lifeline – between compassionate individuals and reputable shelters and sanctuaries across the U.S.Through the NAVS Sanctuary Fund, we are able to provide the money necessary to finance a rescue effort without having to go through the time and expense of sending out an appeal to our members.
Your donation to the NAVS Sanctuary Fund allows animal shelters and sanctuaries to continue their important work by helping defray costs from unforeseen damages or veterinary costs. In fact, 100% of your donation to the NAVS Sanctuary Fund is used to help ensure permanent, lifetime care for animals in need - just when they need it the most.
For donors, that means peace of mind, knowing that the money they contribute will directly help animals. For the animals who have been helped by the NAVS Sanctuary Fund, it means a new home, new hope and a new chance at life.
Here are a few of their stories:
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, FL, offers a permanent, safe haven for monkeys from around the United States who have been abused, confiscated by authorities, retired from research, or who are ex-pets. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant helped Jungle Friends build a new habitat for two capuchins retired from a university psychology department.
Pregnant Mare Rescue in Watsonville, CA, provides a safe natural environment for mares to foal in peace, and to nurture and nurse their young. Their goal is to save as many pregnant mares from abusive situations, feed lots, eventual slaughter, and to provide an alternative for owners who cannot care for their pregnant horse to surrender them to their care. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant was awarded to transport pregnant mares from slaughter to sanctuary.
Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary in Louisa,VA, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and sanctuary of parrots living in captivity. Their mission is to provide a safe place for these birds to go when no other options are available. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant helped Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary vet four birds rescued from a hoarder.
The primary mission of For the Love of Pets in Streator, IL, is to help individuals and families faced with extreme financial difficulty to keep and care for their companion animals – thereby limiting the number of animals relinquished to already overcrowded shelters. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant helped For the Love of Pets purchase a propane tank for their small shelter.
West Hancock Canine Rescue (WHCR), located in Hamilton, IL, is dedicated to saving high-kill shelter dogs in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. By working closely with the county's animal control, WHCR transports dogs weekly to no-kill shelters and foster homes. During an intense heat wave affecting the midwest, a NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant was awarded to purchase much-needed fans and water pails for the dogs staying at the Hancock County, IL Dog Pound. The pound does not have air conditioning and the relief from the heat was critical for the dogs’ health and well-being.
T-Town PAWS, Inc. (also known as Tuscaloosa's Animal Welfare Organization), located in Tuscaloosa, AL, is dedicated to promoting animal welfare and eliminating animal overpopulation in their community through spay/neuter programs, humane education, and animal rescue efforts. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant was awarded to help T-Town paws recover from deadly tornadoes, providing funds to animals in desperate need of emergency medical care. Situations like these are why the NAVS Sanctuary Fund program was developed, and we’re grateful to our supporters for making it possible to be able to assist T-Town Paws in their time of need.
Mindy’s Memory Primate Sanctuary, located in Newcastle, OK, provides a healthy, safe, and humane environment for as many former research and “pet” primates as room will allow. They provide housing, care and treatment for any primates abandoned or in need. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant was awarded to help Mindy’s Memory build new enclosures for two monkeys retired from a university medical research lab.
Yogie and Friends Exotic Cat Sanctuary isthe only big cat sanctuary in the state of Louisiana, providing a permanent home for tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, servals, and other exotic cats that have been abused, neglected or unwanted. After many years of use, Yogie and Friends’ very large deep freeze stopped working. A working freezer is imperative to the health and well-being of the sanctuary’s big cats, as it stores upwards of 30 – 40 thousand pounds of food at a time. After losing almost 20,000 pounds of food, a NAVS Sanctuary Fund grand provided funds to help replace the desperately needed freezer.
Helping Animals Live Organization (H.A.L.O.) located in Little Falls, NY, is a no-kill rescue dedicated to adopting out stray or unwanted cats and kittens, and to maintaining trap/neuter/release (TNR) programs for feral cats. H.A.L.O. recently took in 11 orange cats – affectionately named the Pumpkin Patch Gang – after their owner abandoned them on his outdoor property, which resembled a junk yard. A NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant was awarded to spay/neuter and vaccinate the very friendly rescues; the first step on their road to recovery and adoption.
>> Donate to the NAVS Sanctuary Fund
>> View the Sanctuary Fund Archives
Apply for a Sanctuary Fund Grant
To apply for a NAVS Sanctuary Fund grant, please review the Sanctuary Fund Guidelines and download the NAVS Sanctuary Fund Application.