Our Companions Animal Rescue was founded in 2002 after receiving a gift of 43 acres of land in Ashford, CT for the purpose of building Connecticut's first animal Sanctuary, rehabilitation, and adoption center.

The Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in New England, provides a comforting, home-like, enriching environment for our community's most vulnerable animals (those who are older, traumatized, abused, or neglected). The Sanctuary helps these animals by providing them a setting that is conducive to a longer-term stay and provides a low-stress, comforting atmosphere that encourages healing and rehabilitation. Each animal receives a medical and behavioral treatment plan that is modified weekly, based on the animal’s specific needs. The Sanctuary also serves as an adoption center, providing an inviting place for people to meet our animals. Click here to learn more about our Sanctuary.

In addition to providing this much-needed Sanctuary resource, we also provide many other rescue services at our Valerie Friedman Program Center in Manchester, CT. Many of our programs offered are “pet-retention services” that aim to keep pets and people together. These include dog and cat behavioral services, training classes, support services for feral cats, veterinary assistance, and public education.

Nearly one hundred percent of our funding is made possible by the generosity of the community. There are few non-profit organizations, animal-related or otherwise, whose ability to serve its constituents is so closely tied to the voluntary philanthropic support of the public. We hope you will consider making a generous gift today, joining our family of donors who make our work for the animals possible.

It is powerful to know that since our founding in 2002, so many have invested in our mission to always do the right thing for animals. While the 21 years has been extraordinary, it’s what lies ahead that truly invigorates us. And we look forward to continuing on this journey with you.