LIFE UNLIMITED OF VIRGINIA INC
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February 23, 2012
My first trip to Rikki's Refuge (Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc) was in 2003. I am a volunteer for a cat rescue group (CARE) in Richmond and one of our volunteers was donating a SUV. We stopped by Ukrop's and filled the back with donated day old vegetables and found our way to the refuge. When we arrived I was delighted to see many species of creatures all living in harmony and safety. Nanny the goat must have smelled the carrots and other good food because when opened the tail gate she jumped in and started choosing her favorites. I am a responsible business woman but on this day I became a little girl trying to absorb a peacock romancing a goat, pigs that just wanted to be petted and a bevy of cats and dogs. The cats had tables and chairs and those wonderful wire cages with space to interact and/or have privacy. I loved the dogs and saw a very frightened border collie in the corner. He watched me cautiously but would not trust himself to come to me. I have no idea why I chose this little dog but I knew he was coming home with me. After some checking of my animal rescue background, Kerry said that I could take Popei home that day. She had driven a long way to a rural area to rescue him from being put to sleep. The vet just could not bring himself to kill this frightened little dog and called Kerry. As usual, she would not or could not say no. Popei came home with me and it took a year of patience and love before he would come when called or even consider coming in the house. He preferred his large, heated doghouse. I cannot even imagine how Kerry manages all the rescues, the daily maintenance and the demands of caring for so many creatures. She is a woman with a big heart and so much talent. Can you believe she said yes when my rescue group called her to ask if she would take a cat that had one leg removed, part of another, no control of body functions, etc. and let him live in her bit of heaven? She said yes and Vincent has become a spokescat for those who cannot speak and a symbol of a true animal rescue refuge. Please anyone reading this - do all you can to support this unique refuge - you will probably never find another like Rikkis. Dianne Inman, Richmond, VA
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
After having followed this group on facebook and e-mailing with them my wife and I made a trip from Syracuse NY to visit them...they were everything they claimed to be. The atmosphere and attitude at Rikki's is amazing it really is all for the animals. We were very impressed!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 20, 2012
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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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 26, 2011
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!!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Being greeted by happy, well--cared-for and well-loved animals lifts my spirits.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Fix the road coming in! When I win the lottery, they'll receive enough money on an on-going basis to never worry about funding again.
1 person found this review helpful
February 20, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I regularly support Rikki's Refuge as a donor, voter (on sites like Animal Rescue Site & facebook contests to help them win donations of both money and goods) and wholeheartedly promote them whenever I can. I use GoodSearch & GoodShop to benefit Rikki's. As a no-kill shelter where animals of any age, ability or background are accepted with love and understanding, they are very deserving of assistance wherever and whenever possible. Interacting with spokeskitty Vincent on facebook, I have witnessed the good they do for differently-abled animals as well as those who've been abused, abandoned or simply had no home to begin with. I am confident that whether you give $3 or $3000, buy a t-shirt or bid on auction items for Rikki's, volunteer personally with the animals or send supplies, that every kindness counts toward helping the animals.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
Rikki's Refuge helped me find transport for a cat I adopted from New York and I live in Michigan. They are one of the most caring and loving animal rescues I have ever known. Not only do they take incredible care of their own animals, they are always willing to help anyone else in need as they did for me. They all work incredibly hard to make life better for every animal they meet. They are an organization that you can trust and if you donate to them, it goes directly to the animals. I have made several donations and will continue to donate to them. This is an excellent organization.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
The founder of Rikki's Refuge took the time to help educate me about feline leukemia when I adopted an adult cat who tested positive for it. One year later, following her advice, Franklin is doing very well and is healthy (remains asymptomatic). She gave me the confidence to keep him and care for him. I have also been involved in a few cases of setting up state to state transports for cats that Rikki's Refuge has rescued. Networking on various social media is usually how transports are initially set up. I appreciate the financial transparency of Rikki's Refuge. I can easily find out how money is being spent to maintain the refuge, provide vet. care, and food/supplies. I appreciate the committed attitude of Rikki's, toward their staff and volunteers, toward the refuge mission, toward all the animals in their care. Additionally, Rikki's Refuge is not really "animal specific" and they take in dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, pigs, goats....ALL kinds of animals! What I like the most, is the personal interaction with Rikki's Refuge. I'm not just reading a newspaper article or hearing about them on the news...I AM TALKING DIRECTLY TO THEM! Every day! This makes me feel like I am involved in a deeper way, and that's really nice.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
Rikki's Refuge is an amazing place that is home to nearly 1300 animals of 22 species. It is a no-kill refuge, and it takes in animals who are inured and disabled -- the ones nobody wants. Rikki's spokescat in VIncent D. Cat, a differently-abled cat who travels all over to show people that differently abled animals are worth saving because of the love they return to the humans who own them. The CEO and Director, Kerry Hilliard, is VIncent's mom, and she has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met: she loves all animals and will always take the time to help animals in need. She has arranged freedom-train-like rides -- a series of drivers who are each willing to drive a rescued animal part of the way to Rikki's to get love and proper care. Also, more times than I can count, Kerry has taken time to answer questions about problems I'm having with my cats. Taking care of over 600 cats makes Kerry an authority on just about any cat issue, and I am always amazed that she takes time from her incredibly hectic scheduled to counsel me on whatever issue I need help with. I first met Kerry right after Rikki's opened because I had an older Shepherd-Husky mix who had become unglued and unhandleable after my divorce. Although friends and family urged me to put my Sheba to sleep, I couldn't do this to my friend of 13 years. I happened upon Rikki's website one sleepless night, and wrote to Kerry with my story. She responded and said that she would be able to take my Sheba in. So I went to visit and see Rikki's and to meet Kerry. And shortly after than, I made the incredibly difficult decision to give my best friend away. Sheba only lived another six months or so, but I knew that she was with people who loved animals, and that gave me a great deal of peace of mind. Since that time, I have been a regular contributor to Rikki's. And I am about to adopt one of their rescue cats. Rikki's is a wonderful place that operates on a shoe-string, from day to day. I wish Rikki's had all the money it needed so that it would never have to worry about expenses again, and so that it could take in even more homeless, abandoned and different-abled animals. I love Rikki's!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
This animal sanctuary takes animals that most other rescues would euthanize. They take the elderly, and they take the sick. That have the love and patience and knowledge that it takes to heal the animals. The animals are treated as they should be -- as one of God's beautiful creatures.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have adopted 2 dogs from this sanctuary.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I've met many wonderful people through Rikki's.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
It feels great to know that helping, even just a little bit, can make a big difference to the people and the animals of Rikki's.
February 15, 2011
Rikki's Refuge is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Virginia!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I like to go out and hug the goats! Nanny is my favorite. I take them Nilla Wafers every time I go.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wish that there were no more unwanted or abused animals in the world so that Rikki's (and every other animal rescue and shelter) would not be needed.
February 20, 2012
rikki's is a wonderful place that does so much good!
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 20, 2012
The day I was able to visit Rikki's, I was greeted by staff and furry friends. I brought supplies which were promply unloaded. I was taken on a tour by an employee and she was delightful. She told stories of all the animals, how they arrived at Rikki's, and how long they had been there. She showed me habitats that volunteers had built and the animals living in them. All the animals knew her and responded to her voice when she spoke to them. I wish I could visit more. Rikki's helps animals near and far. They set up rescue travel plans, raise money for other animals in need, and Vincent the cat is sooo friendly. Each animal is given what they need despite the cost. I wish I lived closer so I could volunteer on a regular basis.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
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