Pit Bulls, Ponies and Piglets – Oh My!
When Cody and I created the concept of the Sheltering Oak Sanctuary, it was meant to provide a much needed safety net for hard to place shelter dogs, and to become a place of hope and healing for all animals and people. In addition to our rescued pit bulls and senior dogs, locally rescued horses enjoy their freedom in our large pastures and adorable piglets romp in their pens by day and sleep snuggly in their hand built cottages at night. The horses and pigs are safe and happy and add to the richness and diversity of our rescued dogs’ daily lives.
The oak covered hills that frame the sanctuary are also home to an abundance of native wildlife, including deer, fox, bobcats, mountain lions, hawks, quail, various species of snakes and much more. We respect their habitat and enjoy sharing the sanctuary with our wild friends. Future plans include hiking trails through the hillsides for visitors and volunteers to enjoy and perhaps catch a glimpse of a fox, doe or snake.
Volunteers have commented that the sanctuary is a retreat and a haven for them every bit as much as it is for the animals.
“I have found a place that I can go to take care of me physically and mentally. The dogs give me such joy. My life has so much meaning now. Thank you to Shadow’s Fund for saving me!”
- Denise Reese, Volunteer“The Sheltering Oak Sanctuary is a beautiful place for hope and healing for all god’s creatures. As we walk the dogs we encounter all the other rescued animals: the rooster, the potbelly pigs, Miss Lucy (the 600 lb farm pig) and the two adorable piglets. . . .further on the horse corals and the sheep (that thinks it’s a horse). Sometimes you see a snake on the path, or deer crossing or even a fox in the distance. The dogs are infatuated with the numerous lizards and squirrels. What a rare and special place because all life on this sanctuary is safe from harm.”
- Bea Rains, Volunteer
Though it may seem like a bit of a funny farm something about it works. It works for the animals and it works for the people. Come visit us at the sanctuary and walk a dog, scratch a piglet’s belly or just sit on the hillside and enjoy all of the beauty and wonder of the natural world around us.
Jill Anderson
Co-Founder, Shadow’s Fund
