My Nonprofit Reviews

Who Is Rikki of Rikki's Refuge?
On January 13, 1981, a Balinese kitten was born. Twelve weeks later he met his new family and lived happily with them for 15 years. They named him Rikki after the darting mongoose in Rudyard Kipling’s “Rikki Tikki Tavi.”
Rikki, the cat behind the RefugeFrom the beginning, Rikki was a special cat who gracefully assumed the role of companion, confidant, counselor, and friend. He was quick to please and always loyal. Rikki lived his life to love and be loved.
Even among his family’s cat hierarchy, Rikki gladly accepted the role of “bottom cat” although everyone knew he could be “top cat” in an instant. But power and prestige were not what Rikki was about. The only status he needed was to be a valued member of his family, and he was.
It seems fitting then, that years later the way Rikki lived his life would inspire the establishment of a sanctuary based on the same values that exemplified Rikki’s life.
When Rikki died of kidney failure in September, 1996, his family was heartbroken. Two years after his death, still grieving, they heard about plans to establish a no-kill, all species sanctuary. The land was there, the problem was money. Rikki’s family quickly decided that the best way to honor their cat, always so full of love and kindness, was to enable homeless, sick, and unwanted animals to find comfort and compassion in a safe place. In August, 1998 they made a substantial donation that was used to purchase 330 acres of land in Orange County, Virginia. Rikki’s Refuge was now a reality.

Cat Action Team Virginia is an all-volunteer organization that serves the city of Charlottesville and 12 counties in Central Virginia: Albemarle, Augusta, Buckingham, Culpeper, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange, Virginia. They are making a difference. Feral or outdoor cats are spayed/neutered free of charge. We are seeing fewer and fewer unwanted kittens each year due to trap/neuter/vaccinate/return (T/N/V/R) of unowned neighborhood cats. I highly recommend this group. Cat Action Team oversees 3 of the cat colony sites where several of us feed and look after spayed/neutered cats. I have also received free vet help with one of our feeding group's favorite cats. There is also a pet food pantry. Several times a month volunteers will be at local pet stores collecting much needed cat food. Volunteers also foster cats and find good homes for friendly cats and barn cats.

Here is a picture of me from a past ThanksLiving event at Rikki's Refuge where the turkey was the guest of honor. We are all vegetarians. There are several lucky turkeys at the Refuge. It's that time of year again where we gather up donated pumpkins from local farms, and all the animals at the Refuge get to enjoy them including the horses, cows, goats, pigs, emus, sheep, and how grateful we and they are. I have been supporting Rikki's Refuge, Life Unlimited Of Virginia Inc., monthly for 15 years. The animals are cared for as family. Your donation goes a long way at Rikki's Refuge. They have a handful of employees who work very hard to care for the animals. The annual budget is minimal, with almost no overhead. Their location is Central Virginia, in what is mostly an agricultural area. As a supporter & volunteer, I have helped with many events. Thank goodness for all the volunteers who help. As a result, all events & functions are handled by people who donate their time and talents. All donations to Rikki's Refuge far exceed other nonprofits. Your money is put to good use here. If anyone would like to know more, please have them contact me. Thank you for Rikki’s Refuge. I will be happy when Covid is over, and we can get back to offering tours and having events once again.

How wonderful it would be if there were more no-kill rescues like Rikki's Refuge, Life Unlimited Of Virginia Inc. The animals are cared for as family. Your donation goes a long way at Rikki's Refuge. They have a handful of employees who work very hard to care for the animals. The annual budget is minimal, with almost no overhead. If you love animals, please try to come by for a tour. Their location is Central Virginia, in what is mostly an agricultural area. I bet most people have never seen a real peacock up close. So happy the time I was able to be there for the “peacock parade.” As a supporter & volunteer, I have helped with many events. Thank goodness for all the volunteers who help. As a result, all events & functions are handled by people who donate their time and talents. All donations to Rikki's Refuge far exceed other nonprofits. Your money is put to good use here. If anyone would like to know more, please have them contact me. Thank you for Rikki’s Refuge.

How wonderful it would be if there were more no-kill rescues like Rikki's Refuge, Life Unlimited Of Virginia Inc. The animals are cared for as family. Your donation goes a long way at Rikki's Refuge. They have a handful of employees who work very hard to care for the animals. The annual budget is minimal, with almost no overhead. If you love animals, please try to come by for a tour. Their location is Central Virginia, in what is mostly an agricultural area. I bet most people have never seen a real peacock up close. So happy the time I was able to be there for the “peacock parade.” As a supporter & volunteer, I have helped with many events. Thank goodness for all the volunteers who help. As a result, all events & functions are handled by people who donate their time and talents. All donations to Rikki's Refuge far exceed other nonprofits. Your money is put to good use here. If anyone would like to know more, please have them contact me. Thank you for Rikki’s Refuge.

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