Animal Care Sanctuary Historically and Today Animal Care Sanctuary was founded as a non-profit organization by Lesley Sinclair in the 1960’s in Tom’s River, NJ. After outgrowing her operation in a converted chicken farm there, Sinclair moved to rural East Smithfield, PA in the mid 1980’s. Ms. Sinclair passed away in 1998, leaving a legacy to care for the animals at the organization which she founded. ACS was functioning strictly as a sanctuary for many years. However, management changes in 2009 brought fresh ideas, incentives, and voices to the hundreds of animals residing at Animal Care Sanctuary. An adoption program was started and has proved very successful.