"Improving the Lives of All Sentient Creatures". An Interview With Elle From The Good Shepherd Animal Sanctuary.

toledo ohio photographer photographs farm rescue. documenting rescue animals for local farm sanctuary to highlight rescue efforts. — Elle Cox & Olivia

Olivia was born with her twin brother Bennett from their mother who was ran through a slaughter auction emaciated and pregnant. Their previous caretaker was kind and compassionate, giving both babies and their mother a new life. However, Bennett was born with some deformities he later would succumb to and pass away from. We received Olivia and Bennett because Olivia was small and Bennett had deformities the caretaker didn’t feel comfortable managing. She now is growing big, strong and has quite an opinion about everything. She is such a joy.

Get to know Elle:

Tell us a little about your family/home life. I married my husband Jase in 2014. We had our son and bought our property in 2018. My son Hudson loves helping with the animals, and is a very compassionate little boy.
How did you come to running a farm animal sanctuary? I rescued my first off the track thoroughbred mare in 2014. A long time vegan and animal rights activist, I knew I wanted to create a place where every animal would be welcome regardless of species. We were able to start the sanctuary after purchasing the property when I was 6 months pregnant. I knew if I didn’t start TGSAS before our baby came, that I might never do it. We officially incorporated that March and he was born in July.
What boundaries or self care rituals do you put into place to take care of yourself while working in such a physically and emotionally difficult occupation? I would definitely say seeing a therapist on a regular basis is my main goal to continue to care for myself. In 2020 I hit a very unhappy place mentally and although not every day is easy, I have hope and joy again. I can’t say enough about getting help for your brain if it’s not being kind.
How can people get involved/what does the organization need? You can find ways to get involved on our website, TheGoodShepherdAnimalSanctuary.Org We have two volunteer orientations yearly. We also have an Amazon list you can locate on any of our social media posts.
What stood out to you about your experience with Jessica? I found it interesting Jessica has an agricultural degree! She was very kind to the animals and seemed to really enjoy interacting with them in a way that was respectful of their boundaries!

From Elle:

Imagine looking into the eyes of an animal that if it weren’t for your organization providing a safe haven for them, they would not be alive today. There’s a weight that it carries. Not because you succeeded in rescuing their life, but because every time you look at them you think of the millions of others that weren’t so lucky. That’s the difficult part about farm animal rescue. With cats and dogs, their tends to be a bit more of a rallying force. The laws are on their side.

I’ve been rescuing farmed animals for five years now, and I have participated and worked in small animal rescue for ten. The distinctions between the two are vast, and concerning. A lot of generations of social conditioning have given an ideal that cruelty to farmed animals is simply a part of life. But The Good Shepherd Animal Sanctuary aims to improve the lives of all sentient creatures and end the belief that dogs and cats mean more than a sheep or cow.

Every animal we save, comes at the cost of countless others. I’ve been to auctions, hoarding cases and more. Every time we save a life, we are both elated, and forlorn.

Every day, we show up. Feeding, watering, medicating and enriching. We work tirelessly to provide a life for these animals in all weather conditions, when we are sick, grieving or simply not feeling like it. Sanctuary work is similar, but different than standard rescue work. As we provide life long care for those who would be subject to falling prey to the system all over again.

We hope by bringing awareness of the wonderful lives our survivors live, it can bring awareness to the fact that no living creature needs to suffer. Whether we are rescuing a foundered mare who has been alone for six months, in pain and trapped in a dark barn with numerous medical conditions, or saving a 1000 pound Yorkshire pig from the woods who was found shot in the head, we aim to give every animal kindness and love regardless of species. Consider joining our mission by following us on social media, or signing up for our newsletter.