My Nonprofit Reviews

Volunteering with Rikki's Refuge (under the Life Unlimited of Virginia umbrella) is such a rewarding experience on so many levels. The work can be hard, it never ends (animals must be fed twice a day!), but the feeling of satisfaction you get at the end of the day is priceless. We started painting the weather-beaten white fence that runs the length of the driveway to the Life Center. We're using bright rainbow colors, and it's immensely gratifying to stand back and watch the fence take on new life. The white fleeces of the sheep and goats stands out so beautifully against those colors, the snow adds such beauty and when you see it in the late afternoon, lit up by a setting sun, it's so gorgeous and peaceful. It's also enormously helpful when giving directions! This is just one example of the many jobs that you can help with - or start - at the Refuge. Come on out and join the fun!

The first time I got out of the car at Rikki's Refuge, a huge white dog, some goats and a bunch of cats ran up to me. They all looked well-cared for, well-loved, friendly and very well-fed. I thought, "This is a good place."

Rikki's is currently home to 1,300 animals, many of them there because of chronic illness, disability, personality problems, "too old to play," or their owners can either no longer care for them or have died. Others are there because their owners can't take care of them for various reasons and say, "Rikki's Refuge is the best place for my dear friend. I know he/she will be loved and cared for, because Rikkis has that reputation." No matter what the reason is that brought them to the door, they have a life-long home.

A cadre of amazing people care for the animals of twenty-two species in all kinds of weather and with all types of challenges. That level of caring comes from deep inside. Someone may be cleaning cat litter pans one moment, then called on to help round up the sheep and fix a broken fence. When they say, "There's always something happening at Rikki's!", they mean it!

To clarify a point: the phrase "disabled" isn't used at Rikki's. There are "differently-abled" residents whose lives are still valuable and meaningful. Rikki's teaches this lesson to the children who come to tour the sanctuary and meet the animals, showing them that people are just the same, even when they walk with a cane or are in a wheelchair.

I've been a volunteer at Rikki's Refuge since 2011 and encourage others to do the same. Hey, where else can you come help paint the porch at the Life Center and get kissed by a cow on the same day?

Rikki's Refuge is a magical place! Many animals (1,300 spread among 22 different species) have found their forever home here. Rikki's is a no-kill, all-life sanctuary and many of the residents are differently-abled; some are missing limbs, paws or eyes, some are blind, some have chronic illnesses. All of them are loved and cared for until they cross Rainbow Bridge. Rikki's works it's unique magic on the humans who work and visit here, too. Come see for yourself!

Rikki's Refuge, under the Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc. umbrella, certainly deserves the word "sanctuary." Rikki's is home to 1,300 animals of 22 different species, many of whom are differently-abled with issues ranging from missing legs/paws/ears/eyes to chronic conditions that can be managed with good food, medical care and lots of love. Other places would have put them down; at Rikki's they live out their lives in peace and love. The hard-working staff is there in all kinds of weather, doing their jobs over and above written descriptions and caring for those furry lives. From the largest steer to the smallest chicken, you can see how happy and well the animals are when you visit. Rikki's is a happy, uplifitng place. Visit and see for yourself!

What can you say about an organization that takes in animals with disabilities, animals who have been so badly abused that they no longer care to trust people, animals with chronic medical conditions that require care and medication which their original owners don't want to provide, animals who are "too old and won't play anymore; we want a kitten/puppy," animals who have lost their homes because of illness, death, divorce or financial woes? What can you say about an organization that gives all of these creatures a for-ever home, with food, shelter, medical care and huge whopping doses of love every day? What can you say about an organization that is no-kill, that promotes cruelty-free eating for us humans that advocates tirelessly for spaying and neutering of your pets and ferals? What can you say about an organization that exists on private donations, money from bake sales, yard sales, a thrift shop and various events and doesn't take one penny of government money? What can you say about the people who work everyday in all kinds of weather and conditions to care for 1,300 animals of 22 different species? You say: This is Rikki's Refuge and I'm proud to be associated with them!

My first visit to Rikki's Refuge was on Christmas Day, 2010, for the tour. I was amazed at the number of animals who call Rikki's home and astounded by the compassion, caring, love and expert care each member of each species receives. Differently-abled animals are helped to live out their lives as fully as they can instead of being euthanized. Abused, unwanted and abandoned animals are gently nursed back to health and every effort is made to help them regain their trust in humans. I came as an interested animal-lover and began participating in events with my massage chair and cake-baking skills. Now I'm a proud board member and help spread the word about Rikki's. Kerry runs this sanctuary on donations, winnings from contests, volunteers and love. This is a great organization not only for the animals that land there, but for the people who come to help. I wonder who saved who.

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Rikki's Refuge is a no-kill animal sanctuary that does outstanding work for so many animals. They all have names, up-to-date on shots, etc., all neutered. When you drive up, be prepared for one or two gorgeous white guard dogs, some goats and cats to meet your car. It's plainly obvious how loved, cared for and safe these animals feel. When I win a lottery jackpot, I have plans to make the lives of the wonderful people who run this facility much easier. And you have to meet the best spokescat on the planet - Vincent! Bring Fancy Feast!!!

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