Carol Hine, a nurse, began the sanctuary in 2004 to provide a more compassionate setting for senior animals who would otherwise spend their last days in animal shelters or pounds. After a short time in a smaller location, the sanctuary moved to a 3-acre farm in Mission, British Columbia.
The sanctuary
The farm location contains a home, barn, several outbuildings, a pond and several fields. A foster program also houses some animals in homes of volunteers. There are typically over 100 animals in care, of a variety of species. The organization's website stated in October 2014 that the animals in care included 38 dogs, 39 cats, 13 rabbits, 3 sheep, 3 horses, 1 chicken, 1 rooster, 4 ducks, 2 potbellied pigs, a farm pig, 2 Jersey cows, 1 Holstein cow, 3 goats and a llama. Animals are available for adoption. By 2014, the sanctuary had been home to more than 600 animals since its opening. The sanctuary welcomes visitors on weekends, and has an annual open house.
In the fall of 2007, SAINTS modified an outbuilding to house cats with the feline leukemia virus. The first occupants, dubbed the "americats", were 12 cats from a large seizure from a former cat sanctuary in Pahrump, Nevada. The cats arrived in November 2007. In 2010, only one of the original cats remained. Another group of cats with the feline leukemia virus was taken in from a September 2008 seizure of cats from a former cat rescue organization in Delta, British Columbia. In August 2014, the last cat from that group died. The organization lists cats with the feline leukemia virus for adoption on its website, stating that the cats may live for three years after the diagnosis.
Notable rescues
Floyd the duck - In November 2008, a duck in poor condition was rescued from a factory farm and relocated to SAINTS. In 2011, Floyd was reported to be thriving at the sanctuary.
Gideon the horse - In 2012, Gideon the horse was noted to be nearly 37 years old. He died over a year later. Gideon was the first of a number of horses at the sanctuary.
Rosebud the dog - In September 2009, SAINTS took in Rosebud, a dog from Mission, British Columbia with a number of challenges. One eye with glaucoma was removed; her rib cage had received trauma; and she was crippled. Volunteers enjoyed preparing special meals for her and sitting with her head in their lap. Rosebud died at the sanctuary after about six months of care.
Wilbur and Charlotte the pigs - In September, 2011, two young pigs were seized by cruelty investigation officers from a makeshift pen on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver. They were transferred to SAINTS, where they stayed for a few weeks before being moved to a new home. However, the new home did not work out, and the pigs were returned to SAINTS.
