Rikki's Refuge is my favorite charity, and I have been supporting them since they opened in 1998. Rikki's takes in animals that would otherwise have been destroyed: old, disabled, behavior problems. With 1300 animals of 22 different species, and over 600 cats, Rikki's is a wonderful, live-filled sanctuary. ALL operating expenses for Rikki's come from donations, and it takes a lot of funding to keep the sanctuary open 24/7/365.

I retired and moved to Kauai, from the DC metro area, one year ago. Rikki's continues to be a big part of my life, and has been a major influence in my new life as a retiree: I now work with a non-profit feral cat organization. I am involved in fund raising, trapping cats to be spayed and neutered, and fostering kittens. I have been able to reach out to Rikki's Executive Director, Kerry Hilliard, for advice on my new "work." Ms. Hilliard has always taken the time to provide encouragement and helpful hints about rescuing and working with feral cats, and she has shared the joys and sorrows I've experienced with that work. Ms. Hilliard is a font of information on cats, given that there are over 600 cats at Rikki's, and she is always, ALWAYS there to share that information with anyone who asks -- either via email, or through Facebook.

Rikki's Refuge is a no-kill animal sanctuary in Virginia that is home to nearly 1300 animals of 22 different species. I have been a donor and supporter of Rikki's since its inception in 1998. Rikki's takes in animals that would otherwise be destroyed, especially those who are disabled, elderly and/or with behavioral issues. Rikki's is staffed almost entirely with volunteers, so that for any donations made to this 501(c)3 charity, well over 95% goes towards food and shelter and veterinary care for the animals. Rikki's also does a great deal of community education: traveling to local events with several of their "differently abled" animals, to demonstrate that all animals, and be inference, all humans, have value. Rikki's also has a "spokescat" and a "spokesdog," both of whom are differently abled. The spokescat is missing part of his back legs, and the spokesdog is blind: both of these wonderful animals would have been destroyed had some kind soul not contacted Rikki's to give them a home. I have visited Rikki's a number of times. and I am always truly overwhelmed at the feeling of love that is everywhere. Rikki's operates solely on donations, and because of the nearly all-volunteer staff, they somehow manage to get buy on about one dollar a day per animal. Because of Facebook, Rikki's also has a world-wide following. This nonprofit organization is nothing less than wonderful, and I am proud to be a part of their family, and a supporter and donor.

Rikki's is an amazing place, full of love for all living beings -- no matter how many legs, whether they have fur or feathers. I have been contributing to Rikki's since its inception over 10 years ago. It's great to have a sanctuary that absolutely will not kill, that will take care of animals of all species, no matter what their problems. I found Rikki's over 10years ago because I had a 13-year-old Shepherd-Husky mix female who had become mentally unglued following my divorce. It had become impossible for me to take care of my best friend, and so I embarked on a search to find someone or some place that would take care of my friend for the rest of her natural life. I found Rikki's on the Internet, sent Kerry -- who runs the place -- a note, and then went to visit. I then made what was one of the most difficult decisions of my life -- to give away my best friend, instead of putting her down. Kerry and company took my Sheba in, and loved her and cared for her for about six months, until she died of a series of strokes. Ihave been a contributor to Rikki's ever since, because I know that such places are needed and that they are always, always short of funds. It's nice to know that Rikki's is there, and that it will take in animals of all species -- I think there are 24 species there now, and over 1200 animals. Other shelters and sanctuaries usually deal with only one species, such as a certain breed of dog or cat. But, Rikki's does not discriminate, and that makes them a model of what a sanctuary should be. I am thankful every day that Rikki's is there, and that it provides a "live your life by our example" model.