Sanctuary One care farm has been recognized as the Jackson County Animal Shelter’s largest area rescue partner, and the second largest in all of Oregon.
Jackson County’s Board of Commissioners marked that occasion on Wednesday, honoring the 55-acre Applegate Valley care farm with the county’s Community Service Award at their regular weekly board meeting.
Jackson County Health & Human Services Director Stacy Brubaker and Animal Services Foster & Adoption Coordinator Meredith Yox nominated the nonprofit for the award, spurred by the number of animals the Jackson County Animal Shelter was able to transfer to Sanctuary One’s care when the shelter was at or over capacity. For 2023, this amounted to 29 dogs, three cats, a duck, and a goat, according to the nomination form prepared by Yox.
Meredith Yox and Colleen Avery February 2024 at Sanctuary One as Yox brings another county animal to the care farm.
“The animal shelter spent most of 2023 over capacity with the number of dogs we took in,” the award nomination form reads. “Sanctuary One’s willingness to accept transfers from us allowed valuable kennel space and spay/neuter appointments to our remaining population of homeless dogs, easing the burden on animals, staff, and our veterinary partners.”
Brubaker said the county is very appreciative of its Sanctuary One partnership.
“The shelter is a stressful environment for animals, so to just have them linger there longer than they need to doesn’t make sense,” Brubaker said.
Sanctuary One Animal Care Manager Colleen Avery said the care farm makes the number of transfers work, despite only having six kennels. “I vowed that our kennels would always be full,” Avery said. “As soon as I have an empty kennel, I get in touch with Meredith.”
“Whatever I can do to alleviate their overcrowding of the shelter, I do,” Avery added, adding that her goal for 2024 is to exceed 2023’s numbers for intakes and adoptions. “It’s just completely overwhelming in a positive way; to see not only the joy of getting the animals rehomed, but the joy to families.”
Sanctuary One Executive Director Megan Flowers was present at Wednesday’s meeting to accept the award. “Part of our DNA is to collaborate and help; to partner with others,” Flowers said during a short acceptance speech. “That is how we work. It is our pride and joy to serve our community.”
This collaborative mindset extends beyond its work with rehabilitation and rehoming of animals. The care farm partners with Jackson County Juvenile and Community Justice groups through therapy and volunteer programs, working with over 30 other agencies in 2023.
Sanctuary One offers field trips, farm tours, service learning and volunteer opportunities, internships, and Farm Flow Yoga retreats. Sanctuary One also donates fresh food to ACCESS the past seven years, with a 1,300-pound donation in 2023.
The care farm’s work has received additional awards from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, ASPCA, GuideStar, and GreatNonProfits.
It’s all part of Sanctuary One’s three-pronged mission: focused on people, animals, and the earth. Visit sanctuaryone.org to learn more.
Thank you for this honor Jackson County!
Thank you KOBI News 5 for visiting Sanctuary One and helping us celebrate our community partnership!
