Supporting Rescues and Saving Lives since 2023.
The Canadian Animal Rescue Association (CARA) was created from a simple but urgent realization: Rescue organizations are doing critical national work — without national support.
Those on the front lines are compassionate, driven, and resilient. But they are also overwhelmed. Too many leaders are burning out. Too many organizations operate in isolation. Too many are one emergency away from collapse.
CARA was founded to change that.
We were built to bring together:
Because rescue should not have to survive alone.
To support, protect, and strengthen animal rescues through advocacy, education, collaboration, and practical resources — improving outcomes for animals across Canada.
A Canada where every rescue is supported, every foster is valued, and every animal has a safe path to a better life.
We provide tools, guidance, and practical resources to help rescues operate sustainably and effectively.
We amplify the voices of rescues at a national level and advocate for policies that improve animal welfare.
We offer education, best-practice guidance, and collaborative learning opportunities for rescue leaders, fosters, and volunteers.
We build bridges between rescues, fostering collaboration rather than competition — because we are stronger together.
Develop tools, standards, and support systems that increase organizational resilience.
Create a unified network of rescues that share knowledge, resources, and solutions.
Elevate rescue voices in legislative and regulatory discussions impacting animal welfare.
Promote responsible ownership, ethical rescue practices, and public understanding of rescue realities.
Build national funding streams and partnerships that reduce instability for frontline rescues.
Have a question or want to learn more about CARA? We'd love to hear from you.
info@canadiananimalrescueassociation.ca