Sanctuary of Friends

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Sanctuary of Friends Animal sanctuary and rescue focusing on neglected livestock He died in 1991, on the farm, while shoveling corn to take to the local mill. We did it!

In the early 1950's, Grandpa “Oliver” (born Olavi {O-lah-vee}) built a farm for his family in Jefferson, Ohio. My uncles stepped up after Grandpa’s unexpectent death and, with my Uncle Steve at the wheel, the hay continued to be made and the memories continued to roll in. Then, make way for 2010 and the screeching halt. Uncle Steve passed away unexpectedly. He spent his last day on earth working a

nd dying on the same land his Dad, my Grandpa, once had. He died on a beautiful August day during the year 2010. Fast forward 3 years and through many long conversations, forms, loans, attorney appointments, and contemplation, the farm was to stay in the family and this time, with Grandma’s blessing, the third generation was at the wheel. After loads of money, buckets of sweat, ounces of blood, and, oh, the tears, I, as the proud new owner, continued to make hay and memories. I guess that wasn't enough:

In the late winter of 2015/2016, me, along with my sister and dear friend, set off on the daunting task of starting a 501(c)3 non profit animal rescue. In March 2016, while the hay fields were covered in snow and the rescued horses and cats happily tucked in their warm barns, it was official. My farm would become the home base for our animal rescue. We did it for all the animals the three of us have saved and loss over the years and for all the animals that will cross our paths. Their stories will be told and, with the public support, we will be able to to save more. Today, the farm has a name, appropriately, Sanctuary of Friends (SOF), continues to make hay, continues to make memories, and now has a new purpose: to offer animals in need a SOF place to land.

There’s one less feed pan to get ready at chore time, the barn is a little less crowded and quiet. Our hearts a lot more...
10/08/2025

There’s one less feed pan to get ready at chore time, the barn is a little less crowded and quiet. Our hearts a lot more heavy and broken.
On Friday August 8, our little sanctuary lost the most special girl, Flower. Her ease of conversations is replaced now with an empty silence. The happy open mouthed grunts and sweet smell emitted when she was excited to see you was the most precious pig way of saying “I love you, too”
She is so missed, but at 7 years old, 500-600 pounds, an abnormal back leg and down for 5 days with serious discomfort despite my best veterinary guided treatment, she wasn’t recovering from whatever ailed her internally. Her euthanasia was smooth and stress free, but her absence has been rough and painful.
I know Sanctuary of Friends saved her life many times since she was rescued from neglect as a 4 month old, so, it’s only appropriate her final resting place, her final “SOF place to land” is here where she was treasured beyond measure.
You’ve taught me and anyone who met you so much, Flower (aka: Baby Girl, Pinky Pie, Maple). I’ll carry you on in my efforts to help people understand how truly emotional, smart and loving pigs are.
With a final act of love, you were released from pain and despite all the hurt I feel not having you here that is all that matters now.

“Checkers” (gray) and “Johnny” enjoying a beautiful NE Ohio June morning on the farm. Once feral strays, now living the ...
05/06/2025

“Checkers” (gray) and “Johnny” enjoying a beautiful NE Ohio June morning on the farm. Once feral strays, now living the best cat life here at SOF.

The founder of this Ohio based horse rescue is the reason Homer, Sal and Lucy are here with SOF. Please, help FOCUS Resc...
04/02/2025

The founder of this Ohio based horse rescue is the reason Homer, Sal and Lucy are here with SOF. Please, help FOCUS Rescue & Rehabilitation if you can or please share. If for nothing more than awareness as to why it is important to keep an eye on your neighbors.

Can’t thank everyone enough who “rounded up!”In all, Centerra Country Stores raised enough money to cover our grain and ...
23/01/2025

Can’t thank everyone enough who “rounded up!”
In all, Centerra Country Stores raised enough money to cover our grain and bedding costs for a month!!! Thank you

1st photo is Homer with his goats Lucy and Sal.2nd one is Flower spooning Marigold.3rd one is Griswold with his favorite...
07/01/2025

1st photo is Homer with his goats Lucy and Sal.

2nd one is Flower spooning Marigold.

3rd one is Griswold with his favorite pigs.

What do all these have in common? The recipe for getting through this hearty NE Ohio winter season: Friends

I want to send a huge shout out to Centerra Co-Op in Jefferson, Ohio for raising money this holiday season in support of...
29/12/2024

I want to send a huge shout out to Centerra Co-Op in Jefferson, Ohio for raising money this holiday season in support of Sanctuary of Friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who rounded up their purchase price and those who went above and donated cash and supplies. The animals in our care will benefit from every cent.

Good news today regarding Stella’s labs. Her organ kidney and liver function came back normal. Hopefully, her heart func...
18/12/2024

Good news today regarding Stella’s labs. Her organ kidney and liver function came back normal. Hopefully, her heart function will improve once off the insulin and through diet she should be able to stay off it. I’ll just continue to monitor her closely.
Lucy had a ravenous appetite this evening for some pumpkins! It’s a good sign she’s comfortable if she still is eating.
It was requested by a volunteer I post our Venmo account to accept donations. There is also a donate button next to the follow button on the homepage.

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2408947289948160219

Our little nonprofit rescue today was hit with some heavy news. Today we found out our shy girl “Lucy” has bladder cance...
18/12/2024

Our little nonprofit rescue today was hit with some heavy news. Today we found out our shy girl “Lucy” has bladder cancer and our Chincoteague pony, “Stella”, has heart problems. For Lucy our goal is to keep her comfortable for the time she has left. Today she was acting her normal self, eating, drinking, foraging and glued to her best friends: Sal (goat) & Homer (pig).
As for Stella, she acts fine also so we will wait to see what the blood work shows. Hopefully, it’s temporary and a side effect of a medication she’s been on to combat her severe insulin resistance.
Due to many of our animals needing extra medical attention over the past year (and no end in sight), we are way over budget. Please consider donating money, feed, sawdust, straw or gift cards. These would make a perfect holiday gift to an animal lover on your list. We’ll personally send them notice of the gift made in their name and hopefully arrange for a meet and greet.

The crazy snowfall has subsided, but unfortunately a very steady cold southerly wind has picked up through Marigold and ...
07/12/2024

The crazy snowfall has subsided, but unfortunately a very steady cold southerly wind has picked up through Marigold and Flowers’ stall opening and although I shut it as safely as possible, Flower was still shivering. So, blankets and a cat (Grizzy) to the rescue! (Marigold is the green lump)
It’s only December, but when you have livestock you absolutely can’t wait for spring.

Posted the video already but this is our first TikTok video… and the star of the snow… I mean star of the show is of cou...
06/12/2024

Posted the video already but this is our first TikTok video… and the star of the snow… I mean star of the show is of course Stella.

Check out Sanctuary of Friends 501c3’s video.

05/12/2024

It’s been a brutal NE Ohio winter this week and our animals are snuggled in their straw behind wind blocks away from the frigid weather, except Stella. She should have been named “Elsa” because she would be singing 🎶 “…the cold never bothered me anyway… 🎶 this whole week.

Back in July we moved to a new home and barn to be closer to our other rescue barn. As a result and for her safety our p...
20/11/2024

Back in July we moved to a new home and barn to be closer to our other rescue barn. As a result and for her safety our princess “Marigold” (little pig) no longer had her own stall and paddock and she had to share with big “Flower.” I wasn’t sure how these two moody, strong willed personalities would mesh, but over the past 4 months these ladies have slowly shown signs of enjoying each other’s presence and now they are often found like this 💕

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Our Story

In the early 1950's, Grandpa “Oliver” (born Olavi {O-lah-vee}) built a farm for his family in Jefferson, Ohio. He died in 1991, on the farm, while shoveling corn to take to the local mill. My uncles stepped up after Grandpa’s unexpectent death and, with my Uncle Steve at the wheel, the hay continued to be made and the memories continued to roll in. Then, make way for 2010 and the screeching halt. Uncle Steve passed away unexpectedly. He spent his last day on earth working and dying on the same land his Dad, my Grandpa, once had. He died on a beautiful August day during the year 2010. Fast forward 3 years and through many long conversations, forms, loans, attorney appointments, and contemplation, the farm was to stay in the family and this time, with Grandma’s blessing, the third generation was at the wheel. After loads of money, buckets of sweat, ounces of blood, and, oh, the tears, I, as the proud new owner, continued to make hay and memories. I guess that wasn't enough: In the late winter of 2015/2016, me, along with my sister and dear friend, set off on the daunting task of starting a 501(c)3 non profit animal rescue. In March 2016, while the hay fields were covered in snow and the rescued horses and cats happily tucked in their warm barns, it was official. My farm would become the home base for our animal rescue. We did it! We did it for all the animals the three of us have saved and loss over the years and for all the animals that will cross our paths. Their stories will be told and, with the public support, we will be able to to save more. At first, we name the farm Steve Olavi Farm, however, we decided to give it a name more fitting to our continued efforts. We now call the rescue and sanctuary, Sanctuary of Friends, where we continue to make memories with human and animal friends, and continue to offer animals in need a SOF place to land.