Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Celebrate the past, and protect the future on August 8 by donating $54 to commemorate Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 54 years dedicated to animal welfare. This Saturday marks Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 54th Anniversary. In honor of the many lives saved by the private non-profit organization, and in anticipation of the many more lives to be saved in the years ahead, the Center is asking the community to donate $54 ($1 for each of its 54 years) on this special Day of Giving.
For 54 years, Helen Woodward Animal Center has been a place where hopelessness transforms into happy endings through state-of-the-art lifesaving medical treatments, nourishing food, safe shelter, compassionate care, therapeutic programs and the heartwarming bond of adoption. The Center receives no government grants and depends on the generosity of the community of animal-lovers to stay true to the mission of “people helping animals and animals helping people.”
It all began in 1972 when Helen Whittier Woodward committed to making the world a better place for people and animals, creating a facility that would encompass comprehensive animal care and public education programs. In the 54 years since her founding, Helen Woodward Animal Center has become one of the most respected animal facilities in the world. With fourteen unique programs celebrating the healing power of animals and people, the Center can now boast a conservative number of more than 200,000 animals served directly by Center programs, and over 20 million animals impacted through our national and global and over 1 million people served.
This week, Helen Woodward Animal Center asks the community to donate one dollar for each year of life-saving work, $54 for the many more lives to save in the year ahead. Generous Center supporters Gil and Karen Armour have offered to double every donation, meaning each $54 donation automatically becomes $108. To donate, simply log onto: animalcenter.org/DayofGiving
In addition to Helen Woodward Animal Center’s adoption services, the Center also offers a wide variety of community and educational services:
AniMeals – providing food for the pets of homebound elderly people throughout San Diego County with the help of partner organizations like Meals on Wheels.
The Companion and Small Animal Hospital – a high-tech “small animal” facility, open to all cats, dogs and exotic animals.
The Equine and Large Animal Hospital – providing high-quality veterinary care for the health and welfare of the community horse population and education to the public and equine professionals in matters of the health and welfare of horses.
Humane Education Programs – teaching children respect, compassion, responsibility, safety and how to provide care for animals through hands-on animal encounters.
Pet Encounter Therapy – bringing unconditional love of animals to hospitals, convalescent centers, children’s facilities and other institutions.
Pets Without Walls – providing health services and pet food to help keep pets with their beloved owners through the hardship of homelessness.
Remember Me Thursday – uniting the entire world through social media on the 4th Thursday in September to share the importance of pet adoption, and shine a light on all orphan pets waiting in shelters and rescues.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding – assisting with increased balance and muscle control, improved concentration and short-term memory, and enhanced confidence and self-esteem for the physically and mentally challenged.
The Business of Saving Lives – providing complimentary three-day and one-day workshops for animal welfare staff and volunteers covering everything from humane education to public relations in order to help organizations to run as life-saving businesses.
The Club Pet Boarding Facility – providing “a home away from home” and the very best attention and care for your pet’s physical and emotional needs.
The Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Campaign – encouraging families during the holidays to save lives by adopting their pets from animal shelters and rescue groups and to take business away from puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Every wagging tail. Every grateful purr. Every happy ending. They are all part of a story that continues because of Center supporters.
For more information about Helen Woodward Animal Center or to donate, visit www.animalcenter.org or call (858) 756-4117 ext. 358.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.
