Fundraising Milestones for PAWS
Creating a thriving animal sanctuary and wellness center takes heart, community, and resources. At Pause Animal Wellness Sanctuary (PAWS), your support helps us lay a strong foundation for a space where mutual healing can take place between humans and animals.
PAWS is currently in conversation with an anonymous donor who would like to help us secure the perfect property for our Sanctuary, but we still need additional support to bring this vision to life. We are seeking philanthropic supporters who feel called to help us in this endeavor. If you are in a position to contribute, or know someone who might be, please reach out to info@pausesanctuary.com to explore how you can make a meaningful impact. As a nonprofit, we are committed to purchasing this property with full integrity, transparency, and care to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Property acquisition is separate from our current fundraising milestones (outlined here). All donations made directly through Pause Animal Wellness Sanctuary are tax-deductible and support the operational needs within those milestones.
Fur-Ever Home & Milestone #2
Milestone #2: Sanctuary Development, Transport, & Ongoing Operational Costs.
Legal Counsel on Property Acquisition and ensuring PAWS remains in compliance
Hiring a Certified Public Accountant
Caring for our group of animal residents
Website, Email Marketing, Workflow Management, and Other Technology Licenses
In-person fundraising event rental/marketing
PACFA License
Any necessary renovations to our soon-to-be physical space — potentially including fencing, PACFA-required enclosures for dogs and cats, as well as other PACFA requirements.
Necessary equipment, supplies, and safety infrastructure
Ongoing operations costs & 2026 BOY legal filings
Purchasing a transport vehicle
Additionally, we’ve just launched a Giving Tuesday + Year-End GoFundMe campaign, which contributes directly to Milestone #2 of our fundraising plan. This campaign is intended to help us raise the essential funds needed to take the next responsible steps toward acquiring our future home. These funds will allow us to secure legal counsel to guide the property acquisition process, ensure everything is done with full integrity, and bring on a CPA to support our operations as PAWS continues to grow.
Of course, you can still donate directly here on our website. This campaign was created specifically to help spread greater awareness, and for those who prefer to contribute through GoFundMe.
These foundational pieces are necessary so that when the right space comes into alignment, we are fully prepared to move forward responsibly and in full alignment with our vision.
Donate on GoFundMe
Donate Direct to PAWS
If you are interested in viewing our Executive Summary, please click the button below. If you would like to receive our Strategic Business Plan to better understand our overarching vision , please email info@pausesanctuary.com
Below are the low-end costs for the care of one dog or cat for one full year. These values do not include the costs to pay staff to care for animals, emergency costs, or the costs to transport animals to the Sanctuary.
Dog – Total Annual Estimated Cost: $2,124
Includes:
Nutritional food and treats
Veterinary care (including spay/neuter), preventatives, and vaccinations
Beds, leashes, toys, crates, and grooming supplies
Cat – Total Annual Estimated Cost: $1,984
Includes:
Nutritional food, litter, and treats
Veterinary care (including spay/neuter), preventatives, and vaccinations
Cat trees, beds, toys, scratching posts, and carriers
We are excited for the day we can begin doing regular rescues, welcoming more animals in. Your support is what makes this possible. As PAWS grows, we’ll introduce sponsorship options that directly support an animal’s care or help meet the needs of many. Even still, every contribution strengthens our foundation to save lives.
Cost to Care: Supporting Each Animal for One Year
Previous Fundraising Milestones
✅Fundraising Milestone #1
Thanks to the Amazing Support of our community, we have hit our first fundraising milestone! As a nonprofit, fundraising is an important part of our Journey! Any donations made are now going toward Milestone #2 (see above).
Goal: $5,000
To become a fully operational Sanctuary, we must lay the groundwork. This includes legal registrations, our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, website setup, and basic administrative costs. These startup expenses may not be glamorous, but they are essential for credibility and sustainability. Every donation moves us closer to becoming a fully operational nonprofit.
Examples of what this covers (though not limited to):
Legal Fees
Website, Email Marketing, Workflow Management, and Other Technology Licenses
501(c)(3) Application
In-person fundraising event rental/marketing
Caring for our small group of animal residents
Setting the foundation for our fur-ever home
This milestone represents our very first step, small but mighty. Let’s build the foundation together.
