At Our Companions Animal Rescue, everything we do is rooted in one mission: to always do the right thing for animals.

This mission began in 2002, when a generous gift of 43 acres in Ashford, CT gave us the extraordinary opportunity to create Connecticut's first—and New England’s only—animal Sanctuary dedicated to providing a safe haven for our community’s most vulnerable animals.

The Sanctuary is a special place. Designed to be comforting and home-like, it offers a healing environment for animals who are older, traumatized, abused, or neglected. Unlike traditional shelters, our Sanctuary allows animals to stay as long as they need, providing personalized medical and behavioral care in a low-stress, enriching atmosphere that fosters trust and rehabilitation. Here, animals can truly begin to heal, and adopters can connect with them in an inviting, welcoming setting. [Click here to learn more about our Sanctuary.]

But the Sanctuary is just one part of what we do. At our Valerie Friedman Program Center in Manchester, CT, we provide a wide range of lifesaving services designed to keep pets and families together. From behavioral support and training classes to veterinary assistance, feral cat support, and public education, we are here to support the bond between people and their pets, preventing animals from ever needing to enter a shelter.

What makes all of this possible? You. Nearly 100% of our funding comes from the generosity of people like you—animal lovers who share our vision of a better world for pets and their families. Few organizations are as reliant on the goodwill of the community, and every gift we receive has a direct impact on the animals in our care.

Since our founding, countless individuals have joined us in this mission, helping us achieve incredible milestones over the years. And while we are proud of how far we’ve come, it’s the future that inspires us most. Together, we can continue creating a kinder, more compassionate world for animals.

We hope you’ll consider supporting our work and joining the family of supporters who make this vital work possible.