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Nov 30, 20203 min read

CARE Volunteers at Dogwood Farm Sanctuary

High school students enjoy the day taking care of rescue animals


CARE Volunteers for Dogwood Farm Animal Sanctuary


Club for Animal Rights and Education members gathered at Dogwood Farm Animal Sanctuary to not only volunteer, but to learn from Ms. Elizabeth Niven on the proper management and responsibility behind running a rescue shelter. Ms. Niven explained that there are many dogs that are adoptable and non-adoptable, but Dogwood treats them equally.


Not having an Animal Control Department in Lincoln County causes many dogs to be abandoned, and many responsibilities fall on her. She and several other shelters work together to find homes for abandoned animals often dropped off at her door. In the interview below, Niven explained to us her story and why she starting Dogwood Farm Animal Sanctuary.



Interview with Elizabeth Niven


"When I was in high school, I worked for a veterinarian and then for the Saint Louis Children’s Zoo.


I think that opened my eyes to how much cleaning and facility maintenance was involved in animal welfare work. When we take responsibility to care for animals, we have to provide safe, secure and clean facilities. The animals cannot provide that for themselves. While they need enrichment and human interaction, the safe environment is primary and that’s 90 percent of the work. And it’s often dirty, monotonous work.

The good part, the huge benefit, is to get the cleaning work done and spend time enjoying all the funny personalities and the joy of comfortable animals in a safe environment.


I think sometimes people get lulled into believing that animal rescue is all about walking dogs and hanging out with dogs, horses and cats. Well, it is but you have to take care of them. And for me, the greatest joy is when someone, who will take equally good care of them for the rest of their lives, steps forward to adopt. And momentarily, my job gets a little easier… until I take in another one."



Volunteering for the Day


CARE members had a full day of work. They laid down gravel for the dog kennels, cleaned the cat house, put down mulch for the dogs, mucked out the stalls, and cleaned the chicken coops to get them ready for winter all in a few hours! A big thanks to all the wonderful volunteers! Just in case you are wondering, opportunities like this will be available for our members to take part in weekly!

Quote of the Day

"Volunteering with animals is so therapeutic. You’re just thinking about the animals and you just forget about homework, tests, and other stressful things in your life, and it’s the best way to get my mind off of those things. I’m really glad I’m able to be a part of CARE since it provides me with a lot of opportunities to de stress and spend time with animals that I love!" - Clayton Co-head Amy Ma


More About Dogwood Farm


Dogwood Farm Sanctuary provides medical care, food, shelter and companionship to orphaned or abandoned animals, including horses, dogs, cats, ducks and chickens.

Although they find wonderful homes for many of their dogs and cats, there are some deemed unadoptable because of age, temperament and/or special needs.


For these animals, Dogwood Farm Sanctuary can offer permanent sanctuary.




More about Dogwood Farm Sanctuary:

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