who we are
Animal Care Sanctuary is a no-kill, non-profit organization located in East Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Our goal is to promote the humane care and treatment of all animals in need of protection including rescued, abandoned and abused animals. Our adoption program seeks to promote the enrichment of the lives of both the animals being adopted as well as their new families.
Sitting on 129 scenic acres, ACS is a truly perfect setting for an animal rescue and sanctuary. Our dog kennel is fully heated with double thick and insulated block walls, and fully staffed with caring dedicated individuals committed to ensuring the residents here are well cared for regardless of how long their stay may be. At 400’x36’, our dog kennel has a capacity for approximately 175 dogs. Each dog run has access to an equal size outdoor run. Our smallest run is 96 square feet, however most are much larger than that. We have large dog runs that can accommodate multiple dogs that are accustomed to being together. However, no run is ever overcrowded and each is thoroughly cleaned throughout the day. We have a designated grooming center in the kennel as well as isolation and recovery areas. A dog behaviorist visits our facility regularly, spending a week at a time training our staff and assisting them in all aspects of dog evaluation, behavioral rehabilitation, and optimal animal handling.
Our cattery stands out as an exceptionally clean and well organized example of cat sheltering. With a capacity for over 600 cats, it takes a large team of individuals to maintain the high standards of cleanliness ACS upholds. Time for socialization and one-on-one care for the cats is scheduled into each employee’s day, so as to ensure that the cats are receiving everything they need to be happy, healthy cats. We have begun creating communal cat rooms and enclosures to best provide for the socialization and “colony-mind” of the cats that are living here. By the end of February 2010 we will be adding 10 more communal enclosures to house an additional 100 total cats from our individual cages here. We are developing a partnership with Cornell Shelter Veterinary Medicine Program to best accommodate the behavioral needs and concerns of the feline residents.
Our primary concern in adopting out animals is not to find them a quick home, but a forever home. A home where they will never have to be rescued again and never have to worry where their next meal comes from, or if the person approaching them is friend or foe. Adopters are required to complete our adoption application, which is then processed by our Adoption Coordinator. A pet must meet all members of the family before going home, and we do dog introductions on site to ensure a good “pack-match.” Continued support is provided to adopters so that the transition into their home is as smooth as possible.
ACS is a 501(c)3 organization that relies entirely on donations. No local, state or federal government assistance is received.
- See pictures of our cattery
- See pictures of our dog kennel
- See pictures of the sceanery around ACS
- Read our dog agreements
- Read our cat agreements
our history
Animal Care Sanctuary was founded as a non-profit organization by Lesley Sinclair in the 1960’s in Tom’s River, NJ. After outgrowing her operation in a converted chicken farm there, Sinclair moved to rural East Smithfield, PA in the mid 1980’s. Ms. Sinclair passed away in 1998, leaving a legacy to care for the animals at the organization which she founded.
ACS was functioning strictly as a sanctuary for many years. However, management changes in 2009 brought fresh ideas, incentives, and voices to the hundreds of animals residing at Animal Care Sanctuary. An adoption program was started and has proved very successful.