25 Years of Second Chances
What began with one person's decision to open her home to animals in need grew into a 100% volunteer-run sanctuary dedicated to giving homeless cats and dogs a safe place for as long as it takes.
The History of the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the deployment of military personnel to Afghanistan had an unexpected impact on the Fallbrook community. As service members stationed at Camp Pendleton left on short notice, many family pets were abandoned or surrendered. Local animal shelters quickly exceeded capacity, leaving countless animals to fend for themselves on the streets.
For Fallbrook residents Janet LuCore and Monte Thompson, the situation was impossible to ignore. Convinced that the community needed to respond, Janet decided to take action. She placed an advertisement in The Village News inviting residents to a public meeting to discuss the growing crisis. The meeting marked the beginning of what would become the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary.
In the beginning, nearly every rescued animal lived with Janet and Monte. However, as more animals arrived, they were forced to search for larger facilities. Community donations kept the organization alive, while weekend adoption events helped raise funds and find homes for rescued pets. The sanctuary relocated several times in search of suitable shelter.
In 2008, Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary officially received its nonprofit status, providing a stronger organizational foundation for future growth. In 2010, an unexpected bequest of $500,000 made it possible to relocate to the sanctuary's current home on Aviation Road. That same year, Janet was honored as Fallbrook Citizen of the Year.
Countless community members have volunteered over the years to assist FAS with everything from caring directly for animals, to organizing fundraising events, to financially supporting monthly spay/neuter clinics. Foster families have welcomed animals into their homes, providing a safe and loving environment where these animals can learn socialization skills that increase the likelihood of adoption. The sanctuary's partnership with SNAP (Spay Neuter Action Project) has resulted in hundreds of animals being spayed or neutered, significantly reducing pet overpopulation throughout the Fallbrook community.
Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary has received recognition from many organizations throughout its history. FAS was honored by the California State Assembly as a 2022 Nonprofit of the Year. In addition, Candid, a service that provides information about non-profit organizations to potential donors, awarded FAS with a Gold Transparency designation.
From its beginnings in response to a community crisis, to its establishment as a permanent nonprofit organization, Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary stands as a testament to the power of local volunteers, generosity, and determination.
