BrightHaven was founded in 1990 by British-born Richard and Gail Pope, who since then have dedicated their lives to BrightHaven and to giving the gift of tomorrow to animals in need, particularly those who are senior, disabled and chronically ill. By following the wisdom of the animals, BrightHaven has evolved into a unique center for animal rescue, hospice and holistic education.
Richard & Gail Pope with Joey
BrightHaven is a pioneer and leader in the ever-expanding field of animal hospice and our experience with hospice-supported natural dying is well known.
BrightHaven is unique because of the way we work and the results we get. By sharing our unparalleled depth of experience in holistic healthcare, animal hospice and natural dying with the community, we can truly help a larger number of people help animals to experience peak wellbeing, and the best animal hospice and end-of-life care possible. It’s all about living well, in an optimal state of balance, through the last breath!
We created the BrightHaven Menu for Healing, which is the cornerstone of our work, by following the wisdom of the animals.
Gail has an international consultation practice and is contacted by many vets and animal caregivers regarding BrightHaven’s natural methods and protocols for animal care and hospice. Book a consultation with her here: brightpathforpets.com/pet-consultation-services-html
Moreover, Gail has written four books on holistic healthcare and animal hospice that you can learn more about in our BCA website.
In July 2013, Gail and Richard received the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service in acknowledgement of their devoted service to this extremely vulnerable population of beings.
The Sanctuary Years
From 1990 until 2018, unwanted, old, disabled and chronically ill animals found love, acceptance, family and a safe haven at BrightHaven's sanctuary. We saved over 1,000 senior, disabled and chronically ill animals by giving them the gift of a loving and dignified home for life—however long or short that life may have been. BrightHaven has also rescued and helped thousands more animals through our programs.
In 2018, we sold our Northern California sanctuary property and closed the sanctuary to bolster the organization’s financial sustainability. We felt this was the best decision to enable our organization to build today for a brighter tomorrow for animals. Gail and Richard brought 27 old, ill or disabled cats and dogs with them to Southern California, and outdoor animals were taken under the wing of Sadie‘s Haven horse rescue, who had shared BrightHaven grounds and stables.
Our Current Direction
BrightHaven has always been more than solely a sanctuary! We have 2 core programs that continue to help animals, particularly those who are senior and have special needs:
• RESCUE PROGRAM: This program specializes in the rescue, foster care and fospice, rehabilitation and adoption of senior and special needs animals most at risk for euthanasia. Our focus on medical rehabilitation makes us unique. So many of these animals would never have this opportunity elsewhere.
Lovely Lily looking over all the details
• EDUCATION PROGRAM: This program consists of comprehensive holistic healthcare and animal hospice resources, based on knowledge and expertise gleaned whilst providing holistic healthcare to senior, chronically ill and disabled animals, and for animals with a limited life expectancy. It is designed to lead the user through the BrightHaven Menu for Healing for the best quality of life at every life stage, including a peaceful natural death. Consultations, publications and online learning are key components of our education program, as well as the Quality of Dying Checklist.
Journey into Natural Medicine
During their journey into the world of natural medicine, Gail and Richard were privileged to witness amazing returns to better health and longevity for many of the animals.
As a result, they experienced a profound mind shift about healing and wellness.
BrightHaven’s evolution became one of in-depth learning about healing – of body, mind and spirit – at every life stage.
Raw feeding and supplements – preparing the yummy BrightHaven diet!
The animals have taught that for some, healing will bring about new and wonderful life. For others, healing is necessary to prepare for death and the beyond.
To learn more about BrightHaven’s holistic healthcare, please visit: https://www.www.brighthaven.org/holistic-healthcare/.
Journey into Animal Hospice & Natural Dying
Hospice became a way of life at BrightHaven as we have cared for hundreds of senior and special-needs animals since 1990. In doing so, we have learned so much about love and the circle of life from our animal loved ones. We focus on achieving a state of wellness, joy or balance whether for continued life or for transition. At BrightHaven we concentrate on helping the “being” to be the best they can possibly be, regardless of age, illness, or type of being – human or animal!
In "What a Beautiful Cat Taught Us About Natural Death", Gail shares how, once again, one of our animals helped to shift our thinking and led us to the natural path of death, which became part of BrightHaven’s Menu for Healing.
To learn more about BrightHaven’s animal hospice care and natural dying, please visit: https://www.www.brighthaven.org/animal-hospice/.
Beauregard tending to hospice patient Patti
BrightHaven Through the Years
A Timeline of Compassionate Care and Holistic Innovation
1990 — BrightHaven founded by Gail and Richard Pope as a sanctuary for senior, disabled, and chronically ill animals.
1993 — Name changed from "Cats Are People Too" to BrightHaven to reflect its growing mission.
1997–2003 — Deep exploration of raw feeding, classical veterinary homeopathy, and holistic therapies begins.
2002 — BrightHaven launches its first Education Program, offering seminars on animal hospice and natural care.
2007–2017 — The sanctuary flourishes, housing a variety of species and witnessing hundreds of hospice-supported natural transitions.
[Optional: Add a milestone animal story or medical breakthrough with Gail's input.]
2010 — BrightHaven Rescue Program formally launched to save senior and special needs cats at risk of euthanasia.
2013 — Co-founders Gail and Richard Pope receive the Jefferson Award for Public Service for their humanitarian contributions.
2015 — Gail publishes Soar My Butterfly: The Animal Dying Experience, becoming a foundational text in animal hospice.
2018 — The sanctuary property is sold to ensure long-term sustainability; BrightHaven transitions to focus solely on education and rescue.
2020 — Animal Hospice Group (AHG) is formed in partnership with three other experts to offer professional certification in animal hospice care.
2023 — BrightHaven surpasses 700 natural transitions supported.
2024 — BrightHaven Caregiver Academy (BCA) launches via BrightPathForPets.com, delivering educational resources for pet parents.
2025 — The Peace of Mind for Pet Parents podcast debuts, extending the BrightHaven legacy.
2025 and Beyond — With your support, BrightHaven continues to preserve and share its 30-year legacy of holistic animal care through rescue, publications, consultations, and education for pet parents and practitioners alike.