Our Story

Catherine Besch founded the organization in 2013 with a partner as Vietnam Animal Welfare Organization, then split the organization into two separate entities and Vietnam Animal Aid and Rescue-US was born.

Our experience in the field of animal rescue in Vietnam includes opening the first shelter in central Vietnam,  starting the first nonprofit veterinary clinic in the country, and opening the first farmed animal sanctuary.  Although we no longer have the vet clinic, we are reopening a mobile veterinary service in Fall 2021. 

VAAR is currently the only rescue organization that explicitly advocates for a fully vegan lifestyle and for the abolition of all animal use in defense of animal rights, the environment, food security, and public health. 

We achieve our goals through vegan education programs, community outreach for animals in need, and through the care and adoption of our rescues at our shelter in Hoi An.