A companion to Animal Control
FOAC formed to provide another path for adoptable animals facing overcrowding or medical needs at the county shelter.
About FOAC
Small organization. Community-wide impact.
Friends of the Animal Community is a mostly volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that meets the medical and social needs of adoptable pets and helps them move toward loving, permanent homes.
Our mission
Give animals another chance at a better life.
FOAC works to relieve overcrowding at Tuolumne County Animal Control and surrounding counties, promote the health of abused and abandoned animals, reduce unnecessary euthanasia, and move homeless pets into suitable permanent homes.
FOAC also helps community members rehome pets when circumstances change and they can no longer provide care.
Our history
From Friends of Animal Control to Friends of the Animal Community.
FOAC began in 2001 as an independent nonprofit and companion organization to Tuolumne County Animal Control. Its original name, Friends of Animal Control, reflected a focused mission: relieve shelter overcrowding, move homeless pets into permanent homes, and reduce unnecessary euthanasia.
As FOAC began helping more local families whose circumstances made it impossible to keep a pet, the organization became Friends of the Animal Community. The name changed, but the FOAC abbreviation and commitment to local animals remained.
Help beyond the shelter
FOAC expanded its work to help community members rehome pets when housing, relocation, illness, or the loss of an owner changes what a family can manage.
A name that reflects the mission
The organization became Friends of the Animal Community. Its name broadened, while the FOAC abbreviation and commitment to local animals stayed the same.
How rescue works
Care built around the animal.
Each animal receives an individual assessment and the support needed to prepare for a safe, lasting placement.
Assess and treat
FOAC works with Animal Control and community members to identify animals it can help, then arranges veterinary screening and needed medical care or training.
Foster and learn
Most FOAC animals live in foster homes, where they receive care and FOAC learns what kind of home will fit them best.
Match and support
Applications help FOAC make thoughtful placements and guide adopters through the next steps.
A foster-based rescue
Foster homes are at the heart of FOAC.
FOAC operates a small facility in Sonora, but space is limited. Most animals stay with foster families while they wait for adoption.
That home environment gives animals stability and socialization. It also helps FOAC understand their personalities, routines, and needs before making a match.
Learn About FosteringOur impact
Local work, measured in lives changed.
FOAC’s annual reporting shows both the organization’s long-term reach and the recent scale of its work.
2001FOAC established as a nonprofit
4,637animals taken in from 2021 through 2025
3,864animals adopted from 2021 through 2025
100%reported live-outcome rate
Five-year adoption record
Consistent placements, year after year.
2021553
2022886
2023881
2024765
2025779
Where 2025 intakes came from
FOAC serves animals from both the shelter and the community.
Annual intake and adoption figures and the live-outcome rate are reported by FOAC. Five-year totals are calculated from FOAC’s published annual figures.
Sonora, California · 2026
Community recognition
Best Nonprofit
Readers of The Union Democrat chose Friends of the Animal Community as Best Nonprofit in the 501(c)(3) category of the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Read the Readers’ Choice storyBusinessRate also ranked FOAC third in its 2026 Central California Animal Rescue Service rankings, based on its analysis of Google reviews.
How FOAC is funded
Community support makes the work possible.
FOAC receives no government funding. Its work depends on people and businesses in the community, fundraising events, adoption fees, and reimbursements or refunds.
Those funds support veterinary care, food, training, foster supplies, shelter, and placement services. FOAC’s goal is to provide the best possible care for as many animals as its time and resources allow.
01
Individuals and local businesses
02
FOAC fundraising events
03
Adoption fees
04
Reimbursements and refunds
Leadership
Board and daily operations.
FOAC is guided by long-serving volunteers and community leaders who oversee the organization and its rescue work.
Darlene Mathews
President and Founder
Maureen Miller
Vice President
Jennifer Ravdzza
Board Member
Greg Kyler
Board Member
Terri Detert
Director of Daily Operations
Be part of the work