Candy Spelling and Robin Ganzert sit next to the bronze sculpture in the Sanctuary’s Betty White Healing Garden. Photo by CapehartCandy Spelling and Robin Ganzert sit next to the bronze sculpture in the Sanctuary’s Betty White Healing Garden. Photo by Capehart

There’s a new place for rescue animals to feel safe in Palm City, thanks to the American Humane Society. In April, the organization held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a 15-acre site called the Sanctuary, and plans are underway to have the various services and facilities up and running by next summer.

Two rescue horses already call the sprawling property home. And in the coming year, it will become a haven for many dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and livestock that have been rescued from shelters, natural disasters, and cruelty situations as they await reunification with their families or a new home. When necessary, animals can live out their remaining years at the Sanctuary, which will also house a center for service dog and national disaster response training.

Two rescue horses, Jazzy and Boogie (former show horses), have already moved into the Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of American Humane SocietyTwo rescue horses, Jazzy and Boogie (former show horses), have already moved into the Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of American Humane Society

The project is the vision of American Humane president and CEO Robin Ganzert. During the pandemic, Ganzert envisioned a serene sanctuary somewhere near her West Palm Beach home where paws, hooves, wings, fur, and feathers would be welcome. “The animal kingdom, domestic and wildlife, have always been near and dear to my heart,” she says. “Palm City was the perfect location, offering ample space to create a state-of-the-art sanctuary that could meet the needs of multiple species. Its location also allows for ease of access to regional disaster zones and communities in need.” Over the last decade, the American Humane Society has expanded its reach to 59 countries.

The American Humane Society purchased the Palm City property in the fall of 2023 and began transforming the site, thanks to the generous support of people like the organization’s board chair, John Payne, whose financial contributions allowed the building of a Betty White Healing Garden and bronze sculpture—a tribute to the late actress’ commitment to helping animals.

The American Human Society has already “rewilded” the existing wetlands on site, planting native species to create a safe, sustainable environment for the animals. They tore down an existing dressage area to make space for a 20,000-square-foot, multispecies, hurricane-proof barn—dubbed the Ark of Hope—which is scheduled to be completed by June 2026.

Rendering of the multipurpose training room currently in the works. Photo by American Humane SocietyRendering of the multipurpose training room currently in the works. Photo by American Humane Society

The Ark of Hope will serve multiple purposes, including hosting FEMA disaster response courses, animal rescue training, handling, and disease prevention. Pups4Patriots, a service dog training program supported by the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs that matches veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries with dogs, will also conduct training and agility work there. The Pups4Patriots service dogs are trained to perform tasks such as “buffering” (positioning themselves between their handler and others in crowded or stressful environments) and “grounding” (lying across their handler’s feet to reduce anxiety by providing physical comfort. “There are a lot of veterans in Florida in need,” says Ganzert. “We want to up the number of service dogs we produce here.” The service dogs will reside alongside rescue dogs in Kurb Canine Condos, which are expected to be completed by year’s end.

Ganzert says visitors to the Sanctuary (as well as the animals who reside there), will be greeted by a sense of calm, safety, and peace. “When you drive out there, you automatically have your tension and stress reduced,” she says. “We were able to incorporate all our programs on this property. It’s a match made in heaven in Martin County.” americanhumane.org ϖ