Rikki’s Refuge | Sanctuary

Animal Sanctuary in Virginia

Rikki’s Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 450-acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals. The refuge is home to almost 1300 animals of over 22 different species, including but not limited to cats, dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, emus, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, a chukar, peacocks, and more.

It is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc. an approved not-for profit Virginia Corporation and IRS tax code 501(c)(3) corporation as determined by the IRS. Federal Tax-ID number 54-1911042. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

Rescue, Adoption, Lifelong Shelter.

Rikki’s Refuge provides homeless, abandoned, differently-abled, and abused animals with a safe and loving place to stay. Very rarely one of our residents is adopted. Those who are not adopted receive a permanent home at Rikki’s where they live out the remainder of their natural lives. We provide all animals with traditional, homeopathic, and holistic medical care.

This medical care can extend the life of an animal by several years, and since we are a no-kill, lifetime facility, we can only accept animals when one dies of natural causes. We do not kill to make room for incoming animals. At this time we are full to capacity and care for our existing residents with all our resources. If you contact us for help with an animal, please be aware we can only supply resource information and behavior education at this time.

Spay/Neuter (Speuter) Education and Support.

All animals are spayed or neutered before being adopted out. We educate individuals on the importance of spay/neuter and refer them to low-cost clinics. Spay/neuter (Speuter) clinics

Humane Education.

Rikki’s is developing educational programs and website material to promote a respect for all creatures, especially companion animals.

Maintaining the Biological Diversity of Virginia Flora and Fauna.

Rikki’s is preserving the habitats of a wealth of Virginian plants, trees, flowers, animals, birds, and reptiles. By ensuring that our woodlands will never be developed we are also protecting the rest stops of many kinds of migratory birds.

Safe Haven for Wildlife.

Rikki’s provides hundreds of acres of protected woodlands for native Virginia wildlife and supports the efforts of licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Come Join The Fun

Rikki’s Refuge is a unique place, with over 1,200 animals, supported by many volunteers. Whether on-site or off, hands-on or behind the scenes, we welcome your talents to help keep Rikki’s Refuge running smoothly and safely. Just call 540-854-0870 and leave a message or email us at Volunteers@RikkisRefuge.org!

Boot Campers – for those stalwart folks who are willing to work for at least half a day at the Refuge, and on a regular basis. You must pre-arrange this.

Bunny Boosters – rake out rabbit area, keep shelters therein bedded as necessary

Cat Concierges – our 600 + cats demand a lot! Help scoop litter trays and pick up the deposits of the outdoor poopers. Help feed canned cat food as necessary. Pet the friendly furries in cat run number 6. Bed the cat houses for winter.

Delivery Drivers – collect contributed produce and deliver to the refuge for the critters; solicit produce from your local farmer’s market, broken bags of food from a nearby store, etc. Possibly transport animals if needed. Help us collect pumpkins every fall.

Doggie Dynamos– clean up dog pens and walk dogs. Bed dog houses in winter.

Fowl Friends – clean up poultry areas; fill the ducks’ and swan’s water ponds

Goat Go-fers – ditto with the goats

Grounds Gang – mow, mow, mow the lawn and whack the weeds during the growing season. Put gravel in the pens to keep the mud down. Perhaps plant a garden. Why go to a gym – we have lots of activities to get that heart rate up!

Have-a-Hammers – lots of repair work to be done – as big a project as replacing a trailer floor, or just banging in loose nails as needed.

Two calves at Rikki’s RefugeHorsey Honchos – our horses need cleaning up and cleaning up after.

Livestock Lovers – we have cows and other livestock as well.

Piggy Partners – pigs need love too. Help keep their pens in shape and their shelters bedded in winter

Re-Tail – we sell items through the web and in thrift shop to raise funds to feed the animals.

Special Event Specialists – represent Rikki’s at various public events to raise awareness; help out at our open houses and tours. Most events are on weekends.

Super Scrubbers – help wash pet food bowls, cat litter trays, storage totes, animal carriers etc. You will get wet. Help us conquer “Mt. Dishmore”, as we call our sink full of animal bowls.