Saving One Life

What Saving One Life does

Saving One Life Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009, operating as a volunteer-run, foster-based, never-kill animal rescue serving cats and dogs across Arizona and Southern California. The organization delivers services through four core programs: a foster-based adoption program that provides comprehensive veterinary vetting (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, behavioral assessment) before placement; a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cat population management in partnership with the City of Chandler; a Colony Feeding Program distributing approximately 1,000 pounds of cat food weekly across approximately 80 feral colonies in the Phoenix area; and Sanctuary Services providing lifetime care for special needs animals. Distribution channels include adoption centers at multiple PetSmart locations (Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale, Escondido), a Kitty Pause Kitty Cafe partnership in Mesa, and adoption events in San Diego through a Whiskers and Wine Bar partnership.

The organization's business model is fundamentally donation-funded, with secondary revenue from adoption fees and a minimum $50 owner surrender intake fee. Annual operating expenses are reported at under $250,000, supported by a 100% volunteer workforce with no paid staff. The leadership team consists of a single Director (Carrie Neidorf, since 2014), supported by a network of foster families, community volunteers, and five veterinary partner clinics. The Tails of HOPE Medical Fund sub-brand provides a dedicated funding mechanism for extraordinary veterinary care. Marketing relies on organic social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter), a blog covering rescue stories and director updates, and community outreach programs. The organization has saved over 1,400 animals in a single year (2019 and 2020) on its limited budget, operating without any brick-and-mortar shelter facility and instead relying entirely on its foster network and retail partner locations.

Name

Saving One Life

Legal name

Saving One Life Animal Rescue and Sanctuary

Website

https://savingonelife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Saving One Life is a volunteer-run, foster-based 501(c)(3) animal rescue founded in 2009, serving cats and dogs across Arizona and Southern California through adoption programs, TNR services, colony feeding, and sanctuary care for special needs animals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal rescue and sanctuary services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Foster-based adoption
• Trap-neuter-return programs
• Feral cat colony care
• Animal sanctuary services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chandler

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the rescue mission. Includes general operations, specific funds like Tails of HOPE Medical Fund for special needs animals, Kitten Shower for kitten season supplies, and colony feeding programs.
2. Adoption Fees: Fees charged for animal adoptions. Owner surrender intake fee of minimum $50 to help care for the cat while in rescue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saving One Life runs a volunteer-driven, foster-based, never-kill animal rescue and sanctuary that places cats and dogs into adoptive homes through PetSmart adoption centers and foster networks. In parallel, it operates Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services, a colony feeding program for feral cats, a lifetime sanctuary for special-needs animals, and a Tails of HOPE medical fund, all funded primarily through donations and adoption fees.

Product overview

Saving One Life is a volunteer-run, foster-based, never-kill animal rescue and sanctuary serving cats and dogs throughout Arizona and Southern California. The organization operates through multiple interconnected programs: a foster-based adoption program that provides comprehensive vetting (behavioral assessment, spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping) before placement; TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) services for feral cat population management; a Colony Feeding Program distributing approximately 1,000 pounds of food weekly across 80+ colonies; Sanctuary Services for special needs animals requiring lifetime care; Rescue Response for emergency situations; the Tails of HOPE Medical Fund for major medical interventions; seasonal Kitten Season Support during breeding months; and PetSmart Adoption Center partnerships for visibility and placements. The organization also manages intake requests, owner surrenders, and the 1x Foster Program for special circumstances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tails of HOPE: Medical fund program (Helping Our Pets Endure) dedicated to providing major medical needs including surgeries, emergency procedures, and other unexpected major costs for rescued animals in care.

Products and services

• Foster-Based Adoption Program Foster-based adoption program that places adoptable cats and dogs in loving foster homes until permanent adoption, providing health vetting, behavioral assessment, spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and deworming before placement.
• TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Services Humane trapping, spay/neuter surgery, ear tipping, and return to colony locations to manage feral and community cat populations and reduce overpopulation.
• Colony Feeding Program Daily feeding program for feral cat colonies providing approximately 52,000 pounds of cat food annually to ensure survival of community cats across Phoenix.
• Sanctuary Services Lifetime care for special needs animals, including comprehensive veterinary care, stable loving homes, and support for animals that cannot be adopted.
• Tails of HOPE Medical Fund Dedicated medical fund providing major medical interventions including surgeries, emergency procedures, and unexpected major costs for rescued animals in care.
• PetSmart Adoption Centers Physical adoption center locations within PetSmart stores across Arizona (Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale) and California (Escondido) where volunteers display cats and kittens for adoption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saved over 1,400 animals in 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Whiskers and Wine BarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020San Diego cat lounge and cocktail venue selected as feline adoption partner. Provides space for cats to be showcased while potential adopters enjoy the venue.
• City of ChandlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the City of Chandler for their TNR Assistance Program. Saving One Life manages trap-neuter-return services for registered community cat colonies throughout Chandler, with the city providing funding support.
• PetSmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetSmart provides adoption center space in their stores where Saving One Life displays cats and kittens for adoption. Multiple locations across Arizona and California serve as the organization's primary adoption venues.
• Kitty Pause Kitty CafecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKitty Pause Kitty Cafe in Mesa serves as an adoption partner location where Saving One Life cats are featured. This innovative venue allows cats to be showcased in a home-like environment while visitors enjoy the cafe.
• Brookview Animal WellnesscoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary clinic in Gilbert that provides spay/neuter and TNR services for the Chandler TNR Assistance Program. The clinic performs surgeries and additional medical services for trapped cats.
• EVMV (East Valley Mobile Vet)coreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary partner providing care to animals in Saving One Life's rescue. Mobile veterinary services help provide convenient medical care for foster animals.
• Kierland Animal CliniccoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary hospital partner providing comprehensive medical care for rescue animals including surgeries and specialized treatments.
• Pet DoctorcoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary partner clinic providing medical services to animals in the rescue program.
• Quality Crossing Animal HospitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationVeterinary hospital partner contributing to the network of veterinary care providers for Saving One Life animals.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile program allows shoppers to designate Saving One Life as their charity, with a portion of eligible purchases donated to the rescue.
• Fry's Grocery StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery store partnership allowing customers to support Saving One Life while shopping, with donation programs at checkout.
• Austin FamilyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Austin Family established the Austin Family Memorial Tails of HOPE Medical Fund to support special needs animals. Initially adopters and fosters, they became founding supporters of the medical fund after a tragedy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: One of the largest national animal welfare organizations with broad rescue, adoption, and advocacy programs; Saving One Life competes for the same donor dollars while operating a much narrower regional footprint.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill advocacy and rescue organization operating the largest sanctuary in the U.S.; Saving One Life's never-kill philosophy and foster-based model directly mirror Best Friends' mission at a smaller geographic scale.
• Humane Society of the United States: Largest national animal protection organization with rescue, advocacy, and shelter-support programs; Saving One Life's no-kill rescue model and community cat focus align with HSUS's broader mission at a much smaller operational scale.

Others

• PetSmart Charities: Funding arm of PetSmart that grants to in-store adoption partners; Saving One Life operates adoption centers inside multiple PetSmart locations and is a direct beneficiary of this grant-making arm, making it both peer and ecosystem partner.
• Maddie's Fund: Major family foundation dedicated to no-kill animal welfare and community cat programs; provides grant funding and best-practice dissemination to rescue organizations like Saving One Life and could be a natural funding partner for TNR expansion.

Regional players

• San Diego Humane Society: Major regional shelter serving San Diego, which is one of Saving One Life's two geographic markets; provides adoption, TNR, and community programs that overlap directly with Saving One Life's Southern California expansion.
• Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas: Volunteer-run, foster-based rescue in the neighboring Southwest market with similar never-kill, low-overhead model; provides a useful comp for organizational sustainability benchmarking within a comparable volunteer-driven structure.

Direct peers

• Alley Cat Allies: National advocacy and field-services organization dedicated to TNR and community cat programs; Saving One Life's colony feeding (80 colonies) and TNR Assistance Program with the City of Chandler closely parallels Alley Cat Allies' operational model at a local scale.
• Arizona Humane Society: Largest direct-comparison peer operating in the same Phoenix metro region with similar mission (animal rescue, adoption, TNR support, community outreach) and significantly larger scale; serves as the benchmark for capacity and infrastructure in the same geographic market.

Emerging players

• Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary: Special-needs animal sanctuary operating a similar lifetime-care model in Arizona; relevant peer for Saving One Life's Sanctuary Services program that houses special-needs cats and dogs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/savingonelife
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChtvE10LY2bXryvRRoV0BHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/savingonelifesanctuary
• Instagraminstagram.com/savingonelife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saving-one-life

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 Saving One Life