


We are a pet rescue founded in 1996 by local hospice nurse Joanne Bonicelli, who saw a heart-wrenching need to find new homes for the pets of terminally ill patients. During the last 15 years, our all-volunteer organization has found loving homes for hundreds of bereaved pets, providing vital peace of mind to their former owners and a happy future to the dogs, cats, birds, bunnies and other animals we help. Thanks to our foster homes and fantastic network of hard-working volunteers, more than 90 cents of every dollar raised directly impacts the pets in our program.
Safe Place for Pets is unique in helping both animals and humans. When dealing with terminal illness, patients and their loved ones — including their beloved pets — are all under a tremendous amount of stress. Without anyone meaning harm, the animal’s needs may be neglected as the family copes with the complexities and sorrows of managing a terminal illness. Volunteers with Safe Place for Pets have years of experience in treating both the people and pets involved with respect, dignity and compassion, and they are able to relieve stress for the humans while providing extra TLC to the animals in need.

$500 match from Ann, Ben & Eleanor Davenport, in loving memory of Abigail Davenport
$500 match from St. Paws Thrift Store
$500 match from Pikes Peak Community Foundation
$500 match from Law Office of Dianna Harris
$1,000 match from The Hammond Law Group
$1,000 match from Joanne Bonicelli
$1,000 match from Freda Hambrick Fund of El Pomar Foundation


Thanks for giving us your birth year. There is a special matching grant available to the organization in each category that garners the most donations from folks in their 20's and 30's. One of the big focuses of this campaign is to encourage younger citizens to become more active donors.
It’s our stated goal for Give! to be a transformative experience for every participating nonprofit. We’ve seen the positive impact of the media exposure, mentoring, fundraising and capacity-building Give! provides, but it’s … Read More
It’s our stated goal for Give! to be a transformative experience for every participating nonprofit. We’ve seen the positive impact of the media exposure, mentoring, fundraising and capacity-building Give! provides, but it’s … Read More
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Read Rhonda Van Pelt’s story on Safe Place for Pets
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