About Saint Martin’s Animal Foundation
Founded in 1999, Saint Martin’s Animal Foundation (SMAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abused and homeless animals. Built on a foundation of compassion and education, SMAF envisions a world where every animal is treated with respect, dignity, and love.
For over 25 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to save countless lives, providing animals with a second chance at happiness and educating communities on the importance of humane treatment and responsible pet ownership.
Now based in Prescott, Arizona, our new sanctuary allows us to expand our efforts and continue making a lasting impact in animal welfare.
Our Mission
Our mission is to rescue animals from abuse, neglect, and homelessness, to rehabilitate them with love and expert care, and to educate the public about humane treatment and responsible pet ownership.
Through our work, we aim to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and compassion—one where animals are valued as family members and treated as such.
What We Do
Rescue & Rehabilitation
We rescue animals from high-kill shelters, neglectful owners, and dangerous situations. Many of these animals require extensive medical care, such as life-saving surgeries, dental work, or treatment for malnourishment. At our sanctuary, they receive the care, love, and attention they need to heal both physically and emotionally.
Adoption & Foster Programs
Finding loving, forever homes for our animals is at the heart of what we do. For senior dogs and animals with special needs, our foster programs provide a safe, nurturing environment where they can live out their lives surrounded by love.
Community Outreach & Humane Education
Education is the key to long-term change. SMAF has a history of success in California and Nevada with its humane education outreach program, Animals Are Amazing 101. This program teaches students how to care for animals responsibly while promoting the importance of spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation.
Now, with the establishment of our new sanctuary in Arizona, SMAF is excited to continue and expand its educational outreach efforts to inspire compassion in the next generation.
Sky Valencia
Founder
Sky Valencia is the founder of St. Martin's Animal Foundation which has been a non-profit 501C3 charity since 2000.
Here Sky is pictured with "Gracie" a sweet dog that was an evidence dog. She was taken away from her past owner for abusing her horribly. Now Gracie has a great life with Sky and her other fur babies at the St. Martin's Sanctuary & Learning Center.
Sky is a descendant of the Valencia family which are a well-known family of activists and humanitarian from Lima, Peru. Activism has always been in Sky’s blood as well as having compassion toward misunderstood animals and people. She has a soft spot for “underdogs” like feral chihuahuas, abused pit bulls, senior dogs, pregnant animals, injured wildlife and neglected farm animals. Sky rescues and places homeless animals from one state to another other, finding them loving homes.
Sky named her organization Saint Martin’s Animal Foundation after the patron saint of Lima, Peru, San Martin DePorres, and became nonprofit in October 1999.
Board of Directors
Lori Tucker
Lori is a professional model and promotional volunteer with St. Jude’s Children's Hospital. She works as the SMAF volunteer coordinator, boarding facilitator, and event planner.
Dr. Heidi Michelle Taylor
Dr. Heidi Taylor works as a professional supervised visitation monitor and a licensed clinical psychologist. She has worked as a psychologist for 30 years. Heidi has been active with St. Martin’s Animal Foundation for four years as a board member and is the overseer for adoptions, fundraising, and in-kind donations. Dr. Heidi got her BS at UCLA, her Masters at California Lutheran University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica University.