My Nonprofit Reviews

In 2003, a friend of mine rescued a feline leukemia-positive cat, and her vet recommended that the cat be euthanized. She did some research via internet, having heard that there are such things as animal refuges with colonies of cats having diseases such as feline leukemia and Feline AIDS. She identified Rikki's Refuge (corporate name, Life Unlimited of Virginia), about 80 miles from her house, as just such a place. We were able to place the cat at Rikki's Refuge, and three of us began volunteering there once per month on weekends, doing things of a small nature, such as organizing a room full of disassembled dog crates, etc.. Other larger projects followed over the years. In the past 20 years since Rikki's Refuge was founded, more than 10,000 animals that in all likelihood would have been euthanized have been saved and permitted to live out their natural lives. Animals have come from around the world and across the US to live out their lives at Rikki's. They are well-cared for and maintained by an attentive staff. The budget allows for few if any frills--the vast majority of donation funds go directly to caring for the animals. I know of no other organization that saves more animals per dollar of donation than Rikki's Refuge. In addition, they visit schools and educate children about animals and their plight, trying to promote kind behavior and empathy towards all animals. Volunteering for this organization has changed my life, from how I spend spare time and money, to how I vote.