Five Acres Animal Shelter

What Five Acres Animal Shelter does

Five Acres Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1973 and headquartered at 1099 Pralle Lane in St. Charles, Missouri. The shelter places approximately 1,600 cats and dogs annually with a reported 99% placement rate, operating from a single physical location that includes the Ruth Anne Scheidegger Canine Adoption Building and Kitty Cottage. Its service offering extends well beyond adoption to include a Barn Buddies program for outdoor cats, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and mobile vaccine clinics, an owner surrender program, a foster network, and the AniMeals Pet Food Pantry distributing over 3,000 pounds of food monthly to families in need.

The organization runs on a community-driven, donation-funded model with no government or large national organization funding. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring (HERO Club) donations, adoption fees ranging from $50 to $395 depending on animal age and health status, transaction-based spay/neuter and add-on services ($10-$225), corporate sponsorships, planned giving instruments, and an on-site pet supply store with a Bonfire-powered online apparel storefront. The operating technology stack is composed of best-of-breed SaaS tools: Shelterluv for adoptable pet listings, Petco Love Lost for facial-recognition-based reunification, DonorPerfect for donation processing, Better Impact for volunteer management, OneCause/OneBidpal/PeerPop for event ticketing, and Constant Contact for the bi-weekly Top Five newsletter. Five Acres is led by Executive Director Jeana Roth (CAWA) and a ~25-person staff, supported by a Board of Directors including local executives from Moneta, Carmody MacDonald, Greenlight Guru, and N-STORE Services. Go-to-market is exclusively community- and event-led, anchored by three annual signature fundraisers (Golden Paw Gala, Putts for Paws Golf Tournament, Tail-Waggin' Trivia Night) plus social, email, and youth engagement programs.

Name

Five Acres Animal Shelter

Legal name

Five Acres Animal Shelter

Website

https://fiveacresanimalshelter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Five Acres Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in St. Charles, Missouri that places approximately 1,600 cats and dogs annually, supported by low-cost veterinary services, a pet food pantry, foster and volunteer programs, and a donation-funded operating model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Shelter Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Low-cost veterinary services
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Pet food assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

St Charles, Missouri

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Five Acres relies entirely on donations from the community. This includes one-time donations, monthly HERO Club recurring donations, tribute donations in honor or memory of someone, and stock gifts. The shelter receives no government funding or large national organization funding.
2. Adoption Fees: Revenue from adoption fees for dogs and cats. Puppies under 6 months: $395, Dogs 6 months+: $125-$395, Kittens under 6 months: $165 single/$300 pair, Adult cats 6 months-8 years: $150, Adult cats 9+ years: $120, FeLV+ Cats: $50.
3. Spay/Neuter and Wellness Services: Low-cost veterinary services including spay/neuter surgeries and add-on services. Fees range from $100-$225 for surgeries, plus additional fees for vaccines, microchipping, testing, and other services.
4. Pet Food Pantry: AniMeals Pet Food Pantry provides pet food to families in temporary financial hardship, serving over 3,000 pounds monthly. The program is supported entirely by donations.
5. Retail Sales: On-site pet supply store selling new and gently used pet supplies, toys, treats, leashes, beds, crates, and accessories. Also operates online apparel store through Bonfire.
6. Corporate Sponsorships and Cuddle Breaks: Corporate sponsorships for major events (Tail-Waggin' Trivia, Putts for Paws, Golden Paw Gala) and Cuddle Break workplace visits ($300 donation requested).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Five Acres Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization that rescues, cares for, and rehomes homeless cats and dogs in the St. Charles, Missouri area. The shelter operates a comprehensive suite of animal welfare programs including pet adoption, low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinics, an AniMeals pet food pantry, lost and found pet reunification, and owner surrender services. It places approximately 1,600 cats and dogs annually with a 98-99% placement rate, relying entirely on community donations for funding.

Product overview

Five Acres Animal Shelter is a nonprofit animal welfare organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services centered on animal adoption, veterinary care, and community support. The core offering is its pet adoption service, which places approximately 1,600 cats and dogs annually through in-shelter adoptions, with a 99% placement rate. Supporting services include low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and vaccine clinics, an owner surrender program, and the AniMeals Pet Food Pantry providing over 3,000 pounds of pet food monthly to families in need. The shelter operates foster and volunteer programs, a pet supply store, and hosts three major annual fundraising events (Tail-Waggin' Trivia Night, Putts for Paws Golf Tournament, and Golden Paw Gala). Lost and found pet reunification is facilitated through a partnership with Petco Love Lost. The organization also offers planned giving and corporate involvement opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Animal adoption program placing homeless cats and dogs into forever homes. Includes adoptable dog and cat listings, adoption counseling, meet-and-greet sessions, and full adoption package (spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccines, flea/tick/heartworm/parasite treatment, testing, and medical care). Adoption fees vary by animal type and age.
• Barn Buddies Program Specialized adoption program placing outdoor-living cats that do not desire an indoor lifestyle with adopters who have suitable outdoor structures (barns, sheds, farms). Cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and typically adopted in pairs.
• Spay & Neuter Services Low-cost spay and neuter surgery services for cats and dogs performed weekly on Tuesdays. No residency or income requirements. Fees range from $100-$225 based on species and weight, with optional add-ons such as vaccinations, microchipping, and heartworm testing.
• Vaccine Clinics Periodic low-cost vaccination events offering rabies, distemper, and Bordetella vaccines plus microchipping. Cash only service, first-come, first-served from 9am-11:30am, held at community locations such as The Academy of Pet Careers and City of St. Charles Animal Shelter.
• Owner Surrender Program Program accepting personal pets from owners who can no longer keep them, subject to space availability and behavioral evaluation. Surrender fees: $150 for canines and $100 for felines. Fees go toward animal's medical and shelter needs while in care.
• AniMeals Pet Food Pantry Pet food assistance program providing free pet food to families experiencing temporary financial hardship to help keep pets in their homes. Distributes over 3,000 pounds of pet food monthly. Partners with Whiskers on Wheels to serve home-bound residents.
• Lost and Found Pets Lost pet reunification service powered by Petco Love Lost, using facial recognition technology to match uploaded photos of lost pets against a national searchable database and reunite them with their families.
• Pet Supply Store On-site pet supply store located in the Ruth Anne Scheidegger Canine Adoption Building selling new and gently used pet supplies (toys, treats, leashes, beds, crates, accessories) at reduced prices. Proceeds support shelter operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% placement rate for cats and dogs (98% cited on About page)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Petco LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Acres partners with Petco Love (formerly Petco Love Foundation) on a shared mission to help reunite lost pets with their families. The partnership utilizes Petco Love Lost's national database with patented facial recognition technology to find lost pets quicker and easier.
• Whiskers on WheelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAniMeals Pet Food Pantry partners with Whiskers on Wheels to expand reach and provide pet food to home-bound residents in need of support, in addition to families visiting the physical pantry location.
• ShelterluvcoreTechnology or IntegrationShelterluv powers the adoptable animal listings for both cats and dogs on the Five Acres website, providing the platform for pet profiles, adoption applications, and surrender forms.
• The Academy of Pet CareersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Academy of Pet Careers hosts Five Acres' low-cost vaccine clinics at their facility, providing space for the shelter to serve community members at accessible locations.
• City of St. Charles Animal ShelterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe City of St. Charles Animal Shelter hosts Five Acres' low-cost vaccine clinics, providing a community location for expanded veterinary service delivery.
• Ameristar CasinominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmeristar Casino in St. Charles hosts the annual Golden Paw Gala, providing venue space for Five Acres' signature fundraising event.
• Whitmoor Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhitmoor Country Club hosts the annual Putts for Paws Golf Tournament, providing venue and amenities for Five Acres' flagship golf fundraising event.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stray Rescue of St. Louis: Independent nonprofit no-kill animal shelter in St. Louis, MO offering adoption, veterinary care, and rescue services. Directly comparable as a community-driven shelter in the same metropolitan area with a similar service mix.
• KC Pet Project: Nonprofit animal shelter serving Kansas City, MO, providing adoption, vet services, and pet retention programs. Comparable municipal-style shelter operation with similar adoption and community-service programs.
• Wayside Waifs: Large private nonprofit animal shelter in Kansas City, MO offering adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, training, and pet food assistance. Comparable scope of services and nonprofit shelter model, slightly larger scale.
• Missouri Humane Society (HSMO): Established animal welfare organization in the St. Louis region offering adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, vaccine clinics, and rescue services. Directly comparable service portfolio and donor-dependent nonprofit model.

Regional players

• St. Louis County Animal Care & Control: Municipal animal shelter in St. Louis County handling strays, surrenders, and adoptions. Operates in the same geographic market with similar core services but as a government entity, not a nonprofit.
• Open Door Animal Sanctuary: No-kill animal sanctuary in St. Louis region offering adoption and long-term care. Comparable in mission (no-kill, adoption) and regional service area, but focuses more on sanctuary-style long-term housing.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing shelter, adoption, spay/neuter, and mobile veterinary services. Comparable in mission and core services, but operates at national scale with broader funding sources.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Nation's largest no-kill animal welfare organization running sanctuary, adoption, and spay/neuter programs nationally. Broad incumbent with overlapping services (adoption, low-cost vet, foster network) but at much larger scale and national scope.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): National advocacy and animal welfare organization supporting shelters, spay/neuter, and rescue efforts. Operates in the same sector with overlapping goals like reducing pet overpopulation and supporting local shelters.

Others

• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): National nonprofit supporting animal welfare organizations through grants, lost pet technology (Petco Love Lost), and adoption programs. Comparable in mission and service to beneficiaries, but acts as a funder/partner rather than a competing shelter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/5AcresAnimalShelter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/five-acres-animal-shelter
• Instagraminstagram.com/fiveacresanimalshelter
• TikToktiktok.com/@5acresanimalshelter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Five Acres Animal Shelter