Animal Compassion Team

What Animal Compassion Team does

Animal Compassion Team (ACT) is a 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue organization headquartered in Fresno, California, operating a single integrated service model across the Central Valley. Founded in 2009 by Whitney Malzhan, ACT runs the Sofia Adoption Center at 2789 S Orange Ave and combines adoption placement, foster care, owner surrender intake, found-pet reunification, and community cat TNR programming with an extensive volunteer-driven enrichment suite (Wallflower Group, Dogs Playing for Life, Boss Walks, Canine Enrichment, Cat Cuddler). All adopted animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed, and treated for fleas before placement.

Revenue is generated through three streams: adoption fees ($125 cats, $225 adult dogs, $295 puppies), individual donations accepted via Venmo, PayPal, and Network for Good, and a calendar of fundraising events including an annual golf tournament at Belmont Country Club, online auctions, restaurant percentage-of-sales nights, and a holiday open house. ACT sits on a partner ecosystem that includes municipal shelter operators (Fresno Humane Animal Services, which ACT helped form in 2009, Fresno Animal Center, Clovis Animal Services), retail adoption venues (PetSmart Riverpark, Rosenbalm Rockery), listing platforms (Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, PawBoost, Petco Love Lost), and local restaurants (Raising Cane's, Jacks Urban Eats, Starving Artists Bistro, Full Circle Brewing Co.). Operations are powered by third-party SaaS tools rather than proprietary technology: Shelterluv for adoption and foster workflows, Network for Good/PayPal/Venmo for donations, Amazon and Chewy wishlists for in-kind supplies, and Bonfire for merchandise. The organization reports 20,000+ animals impacted across its 16+ year history and serves a customer base of individual adopters, foster families, volunteers, and donors within a regional Central Valley footprint.

Name

Animal Compassion Team

Legal name

Animal Compassion Team of California

Website

https://animalcompassionteam.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Animal Compassion Team is a 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue in Fresno, California, founded in 2009, that rescues dogs and cats through its Sofia Adoption Center, foster network, and partnerships with Central Valley shelters, serving individual adopters, foster families, volunteers, and donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue and Adoption Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAIAA

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYBPAGAIAF

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYBPAGAIAK

Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYAFAEALAC

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Animal Welfare, Boarding & Production Support Services (non-veterinary)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Foster care programs
• Nonprofit animal welfare
• Community cat management

Headquarters

HQ city

Fresno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: Fees charged for dog and cat adoptions. Dog adoptions (5 months+) are $225, puppies (under 5 months) are $295, and cat/kitten adoptions are $125. These fees help cover basic veterinary care including spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccinations.
2. Donations: Individual donations accepted via Venmo (@animalcompassionteam), PayPal, and Network for Good. The organization also accepts vehicle donations and has Amazon and Chewy wishlists for in-kind contributions.
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from annual golf tournaments, online auctions, restaurant fundraisers, and holiday events. Local restaurants donate percentages of sales on designated fundraiser days.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Animal Compassion Team rescues dogs and cats from high-kill shelter situations in California's Central Valley and places them through the Sofia Adoption Center and a foster-family network. It provides fee-based pet adoptions ($125 cats, $225 dogs, $295 puppies) with full veterinary preparation, owner surrender intake, lost-pet reunification assistance, and a Trap-Neuter-Return program for community cats. Specialized behavior and socialization programs include the Wallflower Group for shy dogs, Dogs Playing for Life playgroups, Boss Walks, Canine Enrichment, and Cat Cuddler.

Product overview

Animal Compassion Team (ACT) is a nonprofit animal rescue organization operating as a single integrated service model in California's Central Valley. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of animal welfare services centered around its Sofia Adoption Center facility, combining adoption programs for rescued dogs and cats with extensive volunteer-driven care and socialization initiatives. The core service portfolio includes foster care placement, specialized behavior programs (Wallflower Group for shy dogs, Dogs Playing for Life, Boss Walks, Canine Enrichment, Cat Cuddler), pet surrender and reunification services, TNR community cat management, and community rehoming assistance. ACT funds operations primarily through fundraising events including annual golf tournaments, online auctions, holiday open houses, and restaurant fundraisers. All adoption services include standard medical preparation (spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, deworming, flea prevention). The organization partners with Shelterluv for adoption workflows, Adopt-a-Pet.com for listings, Network for Good/PayPal/Venmo for donations, and maintains wishlist registries on Amazon and Chewy for supply donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services
• Foster Care Program
• Pet Surrender Services
• Found Pet Reunification Services
• Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program
• Courtesy Post Community Rehoming

Quantifiable outcome

• 16+ years of continuous operation serving the Central Valley
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Raising Cane'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 February 2025Local restaurant partner hosting adoption events and donating $5,000 to Animal Compassion Team. Fundraiser events where a percentage of sales are donated to support ACT operations.
• Belmont Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for ACT's annual charity golf tournaments. Hosts the 5th, 6th, and 7th Annual Golf Tournaments at their Fresno location.
• Jacks Urban EatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant hosting fundraising events where a percentage of proceeds are donated to ACT on designated fundraiser days.
• Starving Artists BistrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant venue for the 'Let's Eat Out' fundraiser on March 29, 2026. Donates a percentage of proceeds to support ACT operations.
• Full Circle Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for Annual Winter Hafla fundraiser events featuring belly dancing entertainment. Hosted events in 2020 and 2025.
• Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT partners with Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com to provide community listings for pets looking for new homes without entering the shelter. Listings also populate to ACT's website which receives thousands of views daily. Referral code AC TC78245 provides 90% discount on listing fees.
• Fresno Humane Animal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACT helped form Fresno Humane Animal Services to provide Fresno County with progressive animal services. Primary shelter partner for county residents reporting found pets. Services Fresno County areas outside city limits.
• Fresno Animal CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary shelter partner for City of Fresno residents. Animals serve legal stray holds here before transfer to rescue organizations. City residents should report found pets here.
• Clovis Animal ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for pets found within the City of Clovis jurisdiction. Coordinates with rescue organizations for placement after stray holds.
• PetSmart RiverparkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOff-site adoption venue where ACT conducts regular Saturday adoption events. Volunteers help set up, clean up, and assist with animals during events from 11:30am-4:30pm.
• Emily Scott (Dog Training)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecommended behavior modification specialist for pet owners dealing with dog behavior challenges. ACT refers owners to her services before considering surrender.
• PawBoostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended platform for posting found pet reports as part of good faith owner search efforts.
• Petco Love LostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended platform for reporting and searching for lost pets as part of reunification efforts.
• The HOPE Animal FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecommended vaccination provider for pet owners surrendering animals. ACT requires DAPP and Rabies vaccinations at least 3 days before surrender.
• Fresno TNR ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal TNR resources for community cats including humane trapping tips, spay/neuter programs, and kitten care guidance.
• Rosenbalm RockeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLandscape supply business hosting adoption events for ACT. Partnered for May 9, 2026 adoption event from 10am-1:30pm.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: Large national animal welfare organization with adoption, rescue, and grantmaking programs that overlap ACT's mission and compete for donor attention nationally and in California.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization that partners with and funds regional rescues across the U.S., including California; competes for the same donor dollars and increasingly influences local rescue strategy.
• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation funding community shelters and rescue programs, including in California; operates as both peer funder and ecosystem partner to organizations like ACT.
• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): Petco-affiliated nonprofit that grants funds to shelter and rescue partners nationwide, including in California — comparable mission and a potential direct funding competitor for ACT.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National animal protection organization with a broader advocacy and rescue agenda; comparable mission, larger donor base, and active California regional programs.

Direct peers

• Central California SPCA: Regional companion animal welfare nonprofit serving Fresno and surrounding counties with sheltering, adoptions, and low-cost veterinary services — overlapping ACT's geographic and operational footprint.
• Fresno Humane Animal Services: County-level animal services organization formed with ACT's involvement; provides progressive sheltering and field services in Fresno County, directly overlapping ACT's intake and adoption workflows.
• Valley Animal Center: Fresno-based animal shelter and adoption organization operating in the same Central Valley market as ACT, with comparable adoption, spay/neuter, and surrender-prevention services.

Regional players

• Coastal Humane Society: Regional animal welfare nonprofit on the California coast with sheltering, adoption, and community programs analogous to ACT, but serving a distinct geographic area.
• SPCA for Monterey County: California regional shelter/rescue serving Monterey County with adoption and surrender-prevention services; comparable operating model to ACT but in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Animalcompassionteam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/animal-compassion-team-of-california

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Animal Compassion Team