In august 2000, care became a non-profit corporation. In 2001 the city of San Juan Capistrano donated the use of a piece of city-owned land on Camino Capistrano, north of Junipero Serra Road for a humane rescue and adoption center facility. In 2002 care started fund raising. Simultaneously, care began rescuing the homeless animals picked up in San Juan Capistrano by the county of Orange.
Over the years, the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, has rescued and placed over 1,200 homeless local animals.In 2010, care became a foundation under California law and changed the mission statement to provide funds to various non-profit groups that are providing assistance to San Juan Capistrano animals.