Our Mission Statement

JOURNEY'S END ANIMAL SANCTUARY is a private sanctuary with a capacity for over 300 dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, and birds who have been abused, neglected or have special needs. Unlike traditional shelters that emphasize adoption, the primary purpose of Journey's End is to provide lifetime care and sheltering of animals who, while still able to lead a quality life, are unable to find homes due to old age, chronic illness, handicaps, temperament issues or other factors.

In addition to food, shelter and medical treatment, the animals receive nurturing attention in a secure, homelike setting scaled appropriately to promote maximum human contact and quality of life for each resident animal.  The bucolic setting consists of a large attractive ranch house and out buildings, surrounded by acres of mature trees, shrubs, lawn, and horse pastures.  There are no cages and animals are free to move about, interacting with one another, volunteer staff members and other humans who visit the sanctuary.  The perimeter of the property is fenced to provide security and protection for the animals.

The mission of Journey's End also includes expanding a program to educate the public, and promoting animal sponsorship programs.   School programs have been a dominant theme and will continue to be a major focus.   Special emphasis is given to the responsibilities of pet ownership, spay/neuter programs, and the reporting of animal abuse.

To preserve and develop Journey's End (established 1974), a board of directors was formed in August 1998 and non-profit status 501(c)(3) was granted in 1999. Initially, the sanctuary was personally funded by its founder Florence Thuot.

Private donations and sponsorships provide the majority of funds. Currently, there is no local, state, or federal government funding.

By example, Journey's End hopes to change the public's attitude toward euthanasia of animals who are otherwise capable of living a quality life, and to show the importance of humanely caring for all animals, including those who have been abused, neglected, or have special needs.