🐾 Fundraising Milestones for PAWS
Creating a thriving animal sanctuary and wellness center takes heart, community, and resources. At Pause Animal Wellness Sanctuary (PAWS), your donations and support directly help us lay a strong foundation for a future filled with healing, for both animals and humans. Each milestone below represents an essential step on our journey. With your help, we’ll get there together.
Fundraising Milestone #1
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 & Other Technology Licenses
501(c)(3) Application
In-person fundraising event rental/marketing
Supporting animals already in care
This milestone represents our very first step, small but mighty. Let’s build the foundation together.
🌱 Future Milestones
Once our foundation is in place, we’ll begin working toward our next major milestones. Below are examples of what these may look like.
Milestone #2: Land & Sanctuary Development
Securing a permanent location
Fencing, basic shelter, plumbing, and electricity
Developing initial outdoor enrichment spaces
Milestone #3: Facility Setup & Animal Housing
Enclosures for dogs and cats
Barns and infirmary spaces
Equipment and safety infrastructure
Milestone #4: Ongoing Animal Care & Operations
Monthly food, medical care, and enrichment
Staff and volunteer support
Retreat materials, workshops, and emergency fund
Together, these milestones will help us transform our space into a living sanctuary, a place where love, transformation, and connection flourish.
🐶🐱 Cost to Care: Supporting Each Animal for One Year
Below are the low-end costs for 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. Once we are ready to bring other species of animals to the sanctuary, those costs will be available here as well.
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
Once PAWS has found its permanent home, we will begin taking donations to sponsor an animal’s care or support the needs of many, allowing us to bring more animals to the sanctuary. Every gift directly nourishes a life, and helps us make sure no animal at PAWS ever goes without.
If you are interested in viewing our Executive Summary Excerpt, please click the button below to view and download. If you would like to receive our Strategic Business Plan to better understand our overarching vision for how our Sanctuary will operate, please email info@pausesanctuary.com