Wonderful people who really care about the animals and go above and beyond for them. Very welcoming and educational. You get to meet some wonderful farm animals that were destined for slaughter or abused...the animals are all so sweet, most of them loves to be close to you. Even the ones who are weary of people, this sanctuary loves them regardless and shares their stories. Thank you for loving these babies
Went with a friend/our kids and it was well worth the trip! Tom was a great tour guide and you can tell the animals are very well-loved and taken care of by the staff. Such a great experience!
Black Dawg is a beautiful sanctuary, and not just for the animals. Here you are free to be your authentic self, because the animals don't care about trivial mundane things. They only see love and your true heart. I love everyday am I privileged enough to volunteer at the farm and wish I could go more. The Laphams are amazing kind hearted people that truly love the animals and the people that help make it possible.
I just took the tour today with an eye toward volunteering. The tour was great. It was very informative and you get to meet the animals up close and personal. Our guide, Tom, is one of the owners and he shared some interesting and amusing stories. Kelly, the other half of the management team is very personable and knowledgeable. It's easy to see the love and joy they share for the animals they are caring for. I had a wonderful time and I would highly recommend helping out any way you can to keep this sanctuary a viable, growing concern. Personally I did fill out the volunteer application and I hope to be helping there very soon.
This Sanctuary has been a blessing to my family. The owners are amazing and so kind. Their hard work is shown in every aspect of the farm. My Girl Scout Troop has now had 2 field trips to the Sanctuary and have determined it will be a yearly event. The tours are great for all ages. The animals are so well cared for.
The owners and volunteers are very knowledgeable and passionate about the work they do. The animals are well loved and cared for. It’s a great place to volunteer, visit, and support!
Visited Black Dawg today with my 11 year old and had a wonderful time. The hosts were welcoming and knowledgeable. The farm was impeccably clean and all the animals seemed happy and well taken care of. I am so grateful that places like this exist so we can visit animals in a way that feels respectful, while learning more about them and their care. Other than the volunteers helping out, our group was just us two, so it was also refreshing to see that we would not be among a group 20 or so, that may startle or overwhelm the animals.
We took a tour of their facilities and were so impressed with the love and care provided to their rescues. It's a beautiful piece of land to offer animals in need of forever homes. Tom and Kelly seem wholeheartedly devoted to what they do, for both the animals and the volunteers helping run the place.
Black Dawg Sanctuary is the best. They have provided a forever home to rescued animals. I will be forever grateful that they all get to live out their golden years together with all the food, vet, and hoof care they need. The best part will be the daily love and affection they all deserve. Thank you so much!
I can't say enough about this location. I'm an animal control officer and had rescued a jersey steer that I named Ringo. Ringo was getting way to big for my place and I contacted Kelly. She helped me try to find a place for him, but then requested to have him herself. I was thrilled. When I brought him to the sanctuary everyone was so excited. RINGO HAS A GREAT LOVING, SAFE CARING LONG TERM HOME. I continue to keep in touch and go and visit my boy. I am very picky about where I place animals and I couldn't have picked a better place. As you can tell Ringo is a very special steer to alot of people. Now he can spread his love and kindness to others. Love the whole group and how caring they are. Such a wonderful place. Thank you so much.
I have been volunteering at Black Dawg for over two years, and I am constantly amazed how tirelessly Kelly and Tom work to give these animals a better life. Not only do they want the animals happy, healthy, and safe, they want their volunteers to enjoy their time on the farm and to be educated in animal care. Volunteers soon become invested in these animals, and every moment, happy or sad, is felt by many who consider themselves lucky to spend time here. I am so grateful to be part of this sanctuary!
A true love and commitment for animals describes Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary.
Kelly, Tom and those volunteers have been those animals guardian angels.
The animals are so happy , funny and friendly considering their unfortunate pasts and now at a place where it is truly a place of peace for them. My heart was so touched there is really still people out there that care so much.
I love coming to see the animals and I plan on bringing a few kids next time!
Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary is my happy place. I love volunteering here and having the opportunity to bond and care for these incredible animals. Kelly and Tom have the kindest hearts and it's inspiring to see the way they love every animal on the farm. Volunteering at Black Dawg is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm so glad to be part of the family and to be able to work with so many animals in need of love and a second chance.
I have volunteered at Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary a few times and am very proud to to be a part of this great nonprofit. Kelly, Tom and all those who volunteer work tirelessly to give the rescued animals a wonderful and happy life. The animals are clearly loved, very friendly and love the attention given to them.
It is such an immense joy to be at Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary! I’ve had the privilege of being a volunteer social media content creator for about a month now, and it has been amazing. The animals are so sweet, the facilities are all beautifully maintained, and it is an overall great experience every time I visit the farm. Kelly and Tom do an amazing job running this sanctuary and every other staff member I have met is friendly and passionate about animals. This place is a 10/10 and I’m happy to continue spending my time here!
Been volunteering at Black Dawg for a couple of months now and love it! The farm is peaceful, well maintained, spacious and the animals properly taken care of. It's a joy to do the chores while being surrounded by those sweet animals and it's truly like therapy. Tom and Kelly Lapham are passionate about what they do and thanks to them all those animals have an amazing forever home. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help out and get so much more in return!
Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary is a wonderful place where the owners and the volunteers make sure each animal is loved, thoroughly cared for, and appreciated. The ideal place for animals to retire and spend the rest of their days.
Black Dawg is the happiest place for animals ever, they are truly loved and cared for and can’t wait to visit again
Black dawg is dedication at its best! They love the animals and treat them as family to the ends of their lives! They are also very active in volunteer work and education ! kudos to you black dawg!!!!!!
I know that those who rescue are all kind hearted, but Kelly, Tom, and their network of volunteers are particularly outstanding. It's a great joy to see the work that they do for the sheer love of the animals!
We have visited a couple of times and love the way the staff care for the animals and share the animal’s stories. Everything about this place is genuine and personal. We are now training to volunteer.
My family and I went to a “ getting to know” day at the sanctuary last year. Booths were set up, face painting, bouncy house and local merchandise.. The tour through the farm was so cool. We learned about the animals, the story of what brought them to the sanctuary, and met Other people of genuine concern..
The love and care these animals receive is so genuine and heartwarming.
Kelly and Tom have made Black Dawg their life's work and they are passionate advocates for animals.
Kelly and Tom are amazing people with huge hearts that found a way to help out animals that weren't in the best of places with a bunch of love and lots of open space.
Absolutely love visiting the farm, beautiful view, friendly animals and awesome people. 100% will return!
I have been a volunteer with Black Dawg Sanctuary for a couple of months and I love it! Tom and Kelly are such nice and generous people, and it's a wonderful opportunity for animal lovers to get to spend time and learn more about the different animals here at the farm and give animals that have been abused and neglected love and friendship.
I have been a volunteer at Black Dawg for a year
It does my heart good to see what this sanctuary has done for so many abused and neglected animals. They have come here to live out their best lives. The care and love they receive is beyond wonderful. The owners Kelly and Tom have completely dedicated their lives to caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Can't say enough about this sanctuary! The most wonderful couple run this farm and are so loving toward all their rescues. My sister volunteers there and took my husband and I for a tour and we participated in the Piggy Party. Such fun! I smiled non stop all day!. The farm is spotlessly clean. Attention is given to each animal and their health is top priority.
I’ve had the pleasure of touring Black Dawg Sanctuary when they were located in Carnation and again after they relocated to Rainier. They do such an amazing job with all the animals. They are all healthy and happy. I love that they educate others about animals and allow their animals to live their best lives out at the sanctuary.❤️
wonderful place to visit and/or volunteer! i’ve been volunteering there for a few months now and it has been wonderful. The animals are very human friendly and well taken care of. Kelly and Tom are also very helpful and reliable.
What a great place to take the family and interact with all the farm animals! They were all so we'll cared for and so much fun. I highly recommend supporting Black Dawg and taking their tour!!
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Oh, my! Where do I start. Kelly and her team at Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary in Rainier, Washington, are fully committed, day by day, to creating a progressive, action-oriented and compassionate home for abused and neglected animals, as well as forwarding the interaction and bond between animals and wonderful humans. I can't say enough about the intention and heart of this non-profit organization, which is a beacon of light and hope, located in a very special spot in Western Washington.
I love this sanctuary!! It's beautiful, the animals are so happy and friendly, and the owner is a joy to work with!
The owners and volunteers at Black Dawg put so much love and attention into all of their animals. I have spent a lot of time on the farm, and all the animals are so happy and healthy, the pep in their step is testament to their happiness. It’s incredible how far these animals have been rehabilitated with lots of love, time, and care!
I moved to Washington State a few years ago and met the owners of Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary randomly during a workout. The owner invited me to bring my friends and their kids to the farm for a tour, and that started our story! After that, I volunteered around the farm and then got my consulting company to give them pro-bono growth strategy consulting. Now I'm on their board of directors, and I couldn't be more proud. The owners care so much about the animals they've been able to rescue, and these farm animals are now so lucky. From pigs, to geese, to horses, to goats, BDF is making a home for as many abandoned and abused farm animals as possible. It is amazing to see the animals blossom and come out of their shells with the care they get from BDF!
This place is absolutely amazing!!!
The work they do in order to make sure all the animals have a forever lasting home. They never have to worry about not being loved again.
Tom & Kelly truly come from a place of compassion & love for all animals & give the ones they have rescued such a happy life! Their farm is a very special place!!
For animals that needed a home, security and love they have found it with Kelly and Tom at Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary. They now have their forever home. The facility is beautiful, peaceful and serene.
My visit to Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary, was an experience like no other, I got to see how farm animals live with each other, and relate to humans. Personalities emerged, and I was touched by the animals' stories.
A visit there is time well spent, a wonderful opportunity for a family outing, you may have your own unforgettable stories to tell of your experience.
You might even be inspired to sponsor an animal. Ask about the many educational opportunities available.
Cheryl Corrigan
I have worked with Kelly and Black Dawg as her equine farrier since 2015. Later, I even served on her board for Black Dawg. I believe in her mission and her passion to create change. Today, I consider Kelly a friend of mine. she is forthright, honest, genuine and friendly and has an incredible passion to take care of all of these animals to create a positive difference for their lives. I trust Kelly and Black Dawg's approach completely and sincerely appreciate their cause.
We brought our grandkids to the Farm and it was truly a blessing for all. Almost magical! Learning the names of all the animals and hearing their stories of how they came to the sanctuary to live out the rest of their lives made us feel more bonded to them! A very memorable experience! I personally bonded with Clyde the Goat, my Daughter-in-law and a friend of mine felt drawn to Trooper the Horse. Our “Littles” just couldn’t get enough. Tom and Kelly Lapham have MORE than hearts of gold!
Black Dawg Farm is a beautiful place that brings animals and kids together. As you visit the animals, you can see the love, compassion and care they receive!!!
The farm is beautiful, peaceful and fun. All of the animals are friendly and very happy! Every time we visit we have a very enjoyable experience.
Love this beautiful farm. The animals are so friendly, curious and happy, it's a pleasure to just hang out and get acquainted with their individual personalities.
Black Dawg Farm and Sanctuary is a fantastic facility, taking great care of their animals and always working towards community education, involvement, and fun! Their new facility is wonderful, this is a great organization to get involved with to enjoy animals and really great people as well.
Amy Cottrille, DVM
The Love Kelly & her family have for animals shows tremendously the minute you pull into the driveway.. Our family Loves to go to Black Dawg Sanctuary to see all the animals wandering and playing. I love the smile that these animals put on my kids faces every time we go. The kids are begging to go back for a picnic and play date on the "farm" and we will definitely be returning once the weather dries up..
Kelly, We love your farm as the kids call it..
Kelly and her tribe have built a beautiful and loving sanctuary for farm animals who wouldn't have had a chance at a great life otherwise. I know Kelly to have a huge heart, not only her rescued loved ones, but her humans as well. Its a non-profit I will continue to happily support for years to come!