Our sanctuary is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, about 15 minutes away from UNC/downtown Chapel Hill. Our address is 161 Sanctuary Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
Our sanctuary is located at 161 Sanctuary Lane, Chapel Hill, NC, and is accessible via Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. We welcome visitors during our Open Hours or by appointment - call 919-502-0070 or email info@beautifultogether.org to schedule an appointment.
Yes! We received our 501(c)(3) status with the IRS in 2015. All monetary donations are tax deductible to the extent that the IRS allows, and we send all donors a tax donation receipt. Our EIN is 47-4273597. We are committed to transparency and our annual tax filings can be found on Guidestar/Candid.com.
We are proud of our Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency.
You can adopt a pet by either filling out an adoption application or scheduling a time to come meet our available rescue pets at the sanctuary. Please note, however, that we have many pets living at foster homes, as well. Our team carefully reviews all applications to ensure the best match between pets and adopters, so your meet & greet could take place at the sanctuary or at the home of a foster caring for the pet you are most interested in meeting. We like to move this process along quickly! Our goal is to create successful, lasting adoption that benefits everyone.
North Carolina has one of the highest shelter euthanasia rates in the entire country — consistently ranked between #3 and #2. That means thousands of healthy, treatable, and very adoptable dogs and cats lose their lives every year simply because shelters are overcrowded and under-resourced.
This reality is exactly why we work so hard here at home. Beautiful Together focuses on North Carolina because this is where the need is greatest. Our rescue pets often come directly from open-intake county shelters that are doing everything they can with limited space, limited staffing, and an overwhelming number of animals arriving each day. When we step in, we create literal lifesaving space. Every animal we take gives another a chance to live.
But the impact goes beyond numbers. We put tremendous effort into each rescue because these animals are not statistics — they are individuals with personalities, histories, and so much love to give. We know that with proper vet care, safe shelter, good nutrition, and a compassionate community, they can recover, thrive, and become beloved companions.
Rescuing in North Carolina is a commitment to our local communities, our shelters, and the animals who need us most. It’s why we invest in our Pet Adoption Center, our Rescue Clinic, our Cat Cafe, our Foster Network, our Youth Programs, and our partnerships. It’s why we show up each and every day to do even more.
Thank you for asking! We would love any and all the help we can get! We would never be able to do all that we have done if it were not for the generosity of donors who give to our efforts to help the most vulnerable among us. In addition to donating, we would love supplies from our pet rescue wishlist.
We also have ongoing needs for volunteers, foster caregivers and adopters – see our header menu for more! We would also love for you to share our efforts to find homes for animals by amplifying posts from our social media accounts. And if you know someone who could be helpful to our organization in any of those ways, please do let us know.
We are deeply committed to transparency and are grateful to be awarded the Platinum Badge of Transparency from Guidestar, now Candid. You can see our ranking details and our IRS tax documents at Candid.
In addition to rescuing animals, we also focus on animal-assisted youth programs, pet surrender prevention, community education, and a variety of enrichment activities. We also provide resources to pet owners in crisis and create opportunities for children to experience the therapeutic benefits of bonding with animals.
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on donations, grants, sponsorships, and fundraising events to support our mission. We also have opportunities for corporate partnerships and monthly giving programs that allow supporters to contribute regularly. If you would like to help support our mission, we would be grateful! You can donate directly here on this website or contact us at info@beautifultogether.org.
Yes! In most cases, adopters will need to travel to North Carolina to pick up their animal. There are instances where volunteers have offered to transport Beautiful Together animals to other states, and we can certainly inquire about this possibility as we move thorugh the adoption process.
We primarily rescued dogs and cats for the first 4 1/2 years of being an animal rescue organization. In late 2025, we expanded our efforts by including horse & donkey rescue operations. As we grow, we will continue to provide a safe haven for a larger of variety of animals in need of refuge, including goats, sheep and pigs. We will be offering them a place to heal and thrive as we work to find them permanent homes - or offer them lifelong sanctuary.
Foster caregivers are truly the heart of Beautiful Together. They open their homes to animals who need a soft place to land, and in doing so, they help save hundreds of lives every single year. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real, immediate difference for an animal in need, fostering is one of the most meaningful ways to do it.
Getting started is simple. Just complete our Foster Application, and we’ll reach out to talk through the experience, answer any questions, and learn more about what type of animal would be the best fit for your home. Once approved, we’ll walk you through expectations, share our foster handbook, and ask for a minimum two-week commitment so each animal has time to settle and thrive.
You’ll never be on your own. We provide all essential supplies, high-quality medical care through our sanctuary clinic, and ongoing support from our foster and rescue team. And while you focus on giving your foster pet love, safety, and comfort, we’ll work hard to find them a wonderful forever family.
Fostering changes lives in the most beautiful way - especially for the animal who gets to start again because of you.
We heartily welcome you to join us as a Foster Caregiver today!
We offer several different Youth Programs at Beautiful Together.
Our Academic Enrichment Programs are after-school programs for elementary-aged students who enjoy a curative connection to nature while experiencing academic enrichment, pet therapeutic experiences, and emotional regulation exercises.
We also host Youth Programs for children and teenagers at the sanctuary that focus on facilitated group discussions meant to support social-emotional growth, teamwork, and resilience. Led in partnership with the UNC School of Social Work, these programs are guided by Social Work Students in their Master's/PhD dual degree program. They use animal-assisted connection to help youth build coping skills, communication tools, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Lastly, we welcome school field trips, service-learning groups, volunteer days, and youth clubs throughout the year. Whether they are structured programs, ongoing programs or one-day visits, our goal is always the same — to create a safe, bright space where animals and young people can connect, grow, and feel valued.
Since 2014, Beautiful Together has supported children waiting for families through projects in Africa and the U.S. Our mission focuses on improving the lives of children in orphanages, group homes, foster care, and underserved communities. Over six years, we completed over 20 projects, including renovating orphanages, building kitchens, providing disaster relief, and supporting homeless youth aging out of foster care. We continue partnering with Kidane Mehret Children's Home to make a lasting impact.
You can add your email to be subscribed to our newsletter at the footer of every page of our website!
Yes, we sell our merch at the sanctuary! Come visit and check out all of our selections. If we do not have a certain size or color in stock, we can make sure to ship it to you directly, as well.
Just fill out our application and we will contact you right away to share more and make sure you have all the information and supplies you need!
