About The Intention Sanctuary
Founder's Story
The Intention Sanctuary was born during a period when I felt deeply disappointed by human systems and profoundly supported by the animals in my life.
I have been a lifelong lover of animals, but during a particularly difficult chapter, they became more than companions. They were steady, grounding, and quietly healing. At the same time, my social media feeds and local community boards were filled with images of animals in distress. Shelters were overflowing. Animals were being surrendered, neglected, abused, or facing euthanasia. I felt the weight of it constantly. I found myself taking breaks from social media, not because I cared less, but because the volume of suffering felt unbearable.
During this period, I began paying closer attention to the role animals play in human healing. I learned that cats purr at frequencies associated with tissue repair and nervous system regulation. Dogs are known to absorb stress and even illness from their humans. Horses are widely recognized for their powerful energetic fields and their ability to calm and regulate the nervous system. These were not abstract concepts for me. I experienced this support directly. My animals helped me process grief, shock, and emotional exhaustion in ways I could not have done alone.
At the same time, I began focusing my attention and intention on individual animals I encountered online, especially those in urgent situations. I would imagine them finding the right person, the right home, or simply relief from fear. I would get specific, envisioning the kind of life that might suit them, while holding the intention that they move toward what was right for them. Sometimes I would leave comments offering words of hope or reassurance. Over time, I noticed that some of these animals appeared to be adopted or moved into safer circumstances more quickly than others. I cannot say with certainty what role my focus played in these outcomes. But I also could not say that it played no role at all. What I knew was that directing my attention in this way did not harm the situation, and it offered me a way to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed or numb.
This was also a period of deep personal loss and trauma. I was navigating single parenthood, the loss of my home in a wildfire, and the sudden, violent death of my partner in 2025. The number of people who truly showed up during this time was small, and that realization was sobering. I found myself leaning even more heavily on animals for comfort, regulation, and connection. I began to feel that they were helping me move energy that I could not yet process on my own.
In my search for healing, I turned more deeply toward spirituality and nervous system regulation. I began studying and listening to work on meditation, coherence between the heart and brain, and the role of emotion in shaping experience. I learned that intention paired with emotion is far more powerful than thought alone. This understanding changed how I approached both healing and helping.
Slowly, the idea for The Intention Sanctuary took form. I began to wonder what might happen if many people, instead of feeling helpless or turning away, focused calm, loving, heart-centered intention toward animals in need. Not as a replacement for adoption, fostering, donations, or advocacy, but as another layer of support. A way to contribute when those other actions were not immediately possible.
The Intention Sanctuary exists to hold that space. It is a place for people to gather quietly, to focus attention with care, and to imagine better circumstances for animals who are still waiting. It is also a place for humans to reclaim a sense of agency and connection during times when the world feels overwhelming.
This work is guided by the belief that what we consistently place our attention on matters, and that intention rooted in clarity, kindness, and emotional coherence can influence both our inner lives and the wider field we share.
This sanctuary is for the animals.
It is also for the people who care deeply and are looking for a way to stay open.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for caring.
-Jenny
Our Purpose
The Intention Sanctuary exists to offer a gentle, accessible way for people to support animals in need when direct action is not always possible. We believe care is not limited to physical proximity or financial means. Focused compassion, held consistently and collectively, is a meaningful force in its own right.
This sanctuary was created to sit alongside the vital work of shelters, rescues, veterinarians, advocates, and volunteers. It does not replace hands-on care or material support. It adds another layer of presence, attention, and hope to animals whose lives are already in transition.
How We Hold Intention
Here, intention is simple and human. You arrive as you are. You choose an animal. You spend a few quiet moments imagining them safe, healthy, and loved. Some visitors stay for one minute. Others linger longer. There is no correct way to participate and nothing to perform.
Each animal featured has a story, and each moment of focused care contributes to a shared field of attention surrounding them. Whether the outcome is seen, felt, or simply trusted, the act itself matters. Compassion offered with sincerity is never wasted.
Our Values
The Intention Sanctuary is guided by care, respect, and ethical stewardship. We are mindful in how animals are presented, how stories are shared, and how community energy is held. We do not promise outcomes, make claims of certainty, or ask for belief. We invite presence.
As the sanctuary grows, we remain committed to transparency, humility, and collaboration with those doing tangible work on the ground. This is a space for kindness without pressure, contribution without obligation, and hope without expectation.
An Open Invitation
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the suffering you see, or discouraged by your own limitations, you are welcome here. This sanctuary exists for moments like that.
You may begin by holding intention for an animal, listening to a guided offering, or simply resting in the space. When you’re ready, the path forward will make itself known.
