Marietta, Georgia
A safe haven for the ones nobody else came back for.
We’re building a loving sanctuary for animals overlooked or failed by people. A place of healing, rescue, and hope. Help us raise it from the ground up.
Founded by Barbera Secrist Schmedes · a registered 501(c)(3) building a sanctuary, one saved life at a time
Drag to see Tillie’s transformation
The same dog, overlooked, then loved.
Watch the rescue happen, in real time
Every save, every milestone, every good dog, posted to our Facebook the moment it happens and streamed straight to this page. No feed to refresh, nothing to miss.
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“For years, I’ve dreamed of creating a safe, loving sanctuary for animals who have nowhere else to go.”
Barbera Secrist Schmedes, Founder
Building a sanctuary, step by step
Every safe haven starts somewhere. Here's exactly what your support builds, in order and in the open.
- 01 Complete
501(c)(3) status: complete!
Our federal IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status has been officially approved. That's the legal foundation Tillie's Safe Haven needs to grow and serve more dogs in need. This milestone marks the beginning of our mission.
- IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Established board of directors, bylaws, and governing policies
- Eligible to receive tax-deductible donations
- Positioned to pursue grants and partner with shelters, veterinarians, and our community
- 02Next
Begin fostering in homes
Before the sanctuary is built, we start saving lives through a network of foster homes. We pull at-risk dogs from local shelters into safe, loving care.
- Recruit and support foster homes
- Partner with local shelters on at-risk dogs
- Cover vetting, food, and supplies for fosters
- 03Next
Secure land & build the shelter
Raise funds to secure properly zoned land and build humane, weatherproof shelter. Every space is designed around calm, healing, and dignity.
- Secure suitable, properly zoned acreage
- Build safe kennels, runs, and recovery spaces
- Fencing, utilities, and a clean medical area
- 04Next
Care, rehabilitate & adopt
Provide veterinary care, enrichment, and rehabilitation, then place animals in loving homes through adoption when possible.
- Vet care, vaccinations, and spay/neuter
- Enrichment and patient rehabilitation
- Adoption services when the time is right
A haven built around the animal, not the paperwork.
These aren’t slogans. They’re the standard every decision at Tillie’s Safe Haven is measured against.
No animal is disposable
We take in the overlooked and the failed. The ones who ran out of time everywhere else.
Healing takes as long as it takes
Here, animals are never rushed, discarded, or forgotten. They rest, recover, and are made ready on their own clock.
Rescue with dignity
Calm spaces, gentle handling, and real medical care. The animal comes first, every time.
Built in the open
A small, honest effort from Marietta, Georgia, growing one supporter and one saved life at a time.
Four ways to help a sanctuary rise
Whether you give five dollars or five hours, you're building the thing that saves the next life.
Give to the build fund
Your gift secures land, raises shelter, and covers the care of animals waiting for a safe place to land.
Donate nowFoster a dog
Open your home to an at-risk dog. Now that we're an approved 501(c)(3), fostering is getting underway. Tell us now and you'll be first to know.
Pledge to fosterVolunteer your time
Building, transport, fundraising, admin, socializing animals. Every skill helps a sanctuary rise.
Volunteer with usSpread the word
Follow the journey on Facebook and share it. Reach is rescue. It's how animals get found.
Follow on FacebookLatest from the build
Real progress, shared as it happens.
Never miss a rescue
Our live feed runs right at the top of the home page, and every post lands on Facebook first. Follow along and cheer the next dog home.
Follow on FacebookEvery gift lays another brick of the safe haven.
Help us secure land, raise shelter, and care for animals who have run out of time everywhere else.