The Heart of a Sanctuary: One Year of Rivendell

One year ago, the sanctuary celebrated its official opening.

One year.

Last year at this time, we didn’t know just how much love, grit, and faith this first year’s journey would demand of us… nor could we have imagined how much love it would give back to us in return.

Every animal who has found their way here has left a mark on our hearts. They came to us in all kinds of conditions from ‘too young to be away from momma’ to chronic and critical illness… and slowly, with patience, care, and tons of love, they began to show us who they really are. We’ve learned that every rescue has a soul-deep story, a unique personality, and their own way of teaching us something new about trust, resilience, and a willingness to show up every day.

This year has been a testament to hard work. You know, the kind that doesn’t take holidays or sick days. The kind that means early mornings, late nights, muddy boots, and many, many tears. But it’s also the kind of work that makes your heart swell when you see a once shy and reclusive pig gleefully playing in the ‘water hose shower’ being created just for her.

We could not have done any of this alone. Our incredible health and wellness team of veterinarians, farriers, volunteers, and kind-hearted family and friends have been the lifeline for so many of our animals. Each wellness check, each carefully prepared meal, each gentle touch has been a step toward healing.

Every visitor who walked through our gates brought light with them. Watching people connect with the sanctuary’s animals through offerings of kindness, sitting to hear or read a story and leaving themselves a little changed, has been one of the greatest gifts of this year.

The donations have been felt deeply and have resulted in materials for several new shelters, feed for hungry bellies, medicine that saved a life or keeps arthritis manageable, and bedding for warmth through a cold rainy night. It has been hope, put into action.

The road hasn’t been easy. There have been moments of heartbreak, emergencies we didn’t see coming, and loss that blindsided us and left us feeling empty. But each challenge has reminded us why this sanctuary exists: to never stop fighting for the ones who can’t fight for themselves.

As we step into another year, our dreams are still big. More safe spaces, more healing, and more lives to be saved. But most of all, the sanctuary has so much more love to give and receive. To everyone who has visited, donated, shared our story, or cheered us on, you are part of this sanctuary’s heart. We couldn’t do this without you, and we wouldn’t want to.

Here’s to another year of hope, healing, and home…for all the lost little souls who need it most.