A letter from kit & Pete Jagoda
Co-Founders of River's Wish Animal Sanctuary
Pete and I are honored to have River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary (RWAS) accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). As we move toward a sustainable present and future for the sanctuary, GFAS is instrumental in helping to make this a reality.
Our dedicated and compassionate volunteers and supporters create forward moving direction for River’s Wish through their work for the animals and the mission. We cannot do this without them.
Our goal is to move RWAS well into the future, forever staying true to the mission of saving lives through rescue, education and advocacy. We started out fostering dogs and cats for Pet Rescue in 1994 and organically expanded efforts to help farmed animals. We grew up in cities, Pete on the East Coast and me, in East Central Spokane. Neither of us envisioned a life like this, but we both agree that although it’s been a lot of work and stress, we can’t imagine not doing this.
Through our Sanctuary Based Education programs we integrate Art and Animals, Garden to Table and Compassionate Vegan Living. As teachers we fully agree that ‘education is the key’ to building connection and empathy. In honor of our recently departed friend Diana Roberts, we’ll be including ‘Diana’s Dream’ for everyone to see each animal as an individual and respect their right to live and be loved.
So many volunteers give of their time and energy to impact the lives of the animals at River’s Wish. Jane, Laura, Terri, Anne, Arica, Emily, Kelsie, Megan, Cynthia, Denise, Kathy, Leslie, Carl, Bev, Moriah, Jordan, Megan, Jaime, Scott, Jessica, Wendi, Wayne, Debbie, Sharon, Missy, CJ, Dulcie, Allison, Ellen, Delia, Jaime and Ava come out every week to care for the animals. And thank you to Kelly for the technology, social media and marketing work you do!
Rabbit’s Garden is primarily cared for by Nancy and Sharon, with the assistance of Prue, Martee and Stephanie.
Many of our animal shelters and fencing have been built by Chris aka Hobie. And most recently Darren created a new fence for our east pasture. Ken has gone after noxious weeds.
We are grateful for the Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest for their ongoing support as well as that of Kerry, Bob, Roy, Jana, Deb, Jessica, Yvonne, Sally, Diane, Mary C. and Mary B., Pat and Tracy & Rabbitron, and so many others who support RW throughout the year. As well as everyone who supports our onsite and online events.
Our onsite events receive wonderful support from Atania and Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria, Alison and Boots Bakery and the Leonetti family and Prohibition Gastropub. We are so grateful to every artist who has donated work to Art For the Animals.
Our Board of Directors Maria, Rhonda-T, Dulcie, Carrie and Pete as well as our Succession Planning Committee Kelly, Nicole, Jana and Bill help develop and maintain direction of the organization.
River’s Wish is fortunate to be able to work with so many veterinary clinics. Our primary veterinarians are Success in Motion Veterinary with Dr. Erin Kennedy, Medical Lake Veterinary, Red Barn Mobile Veterinary, Animal Clinic of Spokane, Indian Trail Animal Hospital and Mountain Empire Veterinary. Other veterinary clinics we are fortunate to access are Rosemarie Asterino, DVM, Hunter’s Vet, Deer Park Vet, McKinlay and Peters Equine and WSU Veterinary Hospital. We are also fortunate to work with Chris Eickhoff, our farrier. We are grateful to work with Bryant and Jason at the Country Store for our bi-monthly feed and supply delivery and Flecsher Ranch for quality hay. We value Rick DeBenedetto, Eide Bailly, Walt’s Mailing and Nadene for their professional services. We are grateful to have amazing neighbors the Koberstines and Rick, which is very important for animal sanctuaries! We are also grateful for the moral support from other rescues and sanctuaries and the team work from many parts of the country.
The list could go on to acknowledge the people, businesses and organizations who make a difference for RW. And if I have missed some, I am truly sorry. We really, really cannot do this without each of you.
And lastly, I am thankful for two women who remind me to never give up, my mom, Madeleine Durkin and my rescue colleague Sue Brennan of Rabbit Haven.
Our dedicated and compassionate volunteers and supporters create forward moving direction for River’s Wish through their work for the animals and the mission. We cannot do this without them.
Our goal is to move RWAS well into the future, forever staying true to the mission of saving lives through rescue, education and advocacy. We started out fostering dogs and cats for Pet Rescue in 1994 and organically expanded efforts to help farmed animals. We grew up in cities, Pete on the East Coast and me, in East Central Spokane. Neither of us envisioned a life like this, but we both agree that although it’s been a lot of work and stress, we can’t imagine not doing this.
Through our Sanctuary Based Education programs we integrate Art and Animals, Garden to Table and Compassionate Vegan Living. As teachers we fully agree that ‘education is the key’ to building connection and empathy. In honor of our recently departed friend Diana Roberts, we’ll be including ‘Diana’s Dream’ for everyone to see each animal as an individual and respect their right to live and be loved.
So many volunteers give of their time and energy to impact the lives of the animals at River’s Wish. Jane, Laura, Terri, Anne, Arica, Emily, Kelsie, Megan, Cynthia, Denise, Kathy, Leslie, Carl, Bev, Moriah, Jordan, Megan, Jaime, Scott, Jessica, Wendi, Wayne, Debbie, Sharon, Missy, CJ, Dulcie, Allison, Ellen, Delia, Jaime and Ava come out every week to care for the animals. And thank you to Kelly for the technology, social media and marketing work you do!
Rabbit’s Garden is primarily cared for by Nancy and Sharon, with the assistance of Prue, Martee and Stephanie.
Many of our animal shelters and fencing have been built by Chris aka Hobie. And most recently Darren created a new fence for our east pasture. Ken has gone after noxious weeds.
We are grateful for the Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest for their ongoing support as well as that of Kerry, Bob, Roy, Jana, Deb, Jessica, Yvonne, Sally, Diane, Mary C. and Mary B., Pat and Tracy & Rabbitron, and so many others who support RW throughout the year. As well as everyone who supports our onsite and online events.
Our onsite events receive wonderful support from Atania and Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria, Alison and Boots Bakery and the Leonetti family and Prohibition Gastropub. We are so grateful to every artist who has donated work to Art For the Animals.
Our Board of Directors Maria, Rhonda-T, Dulcie, Carrie and Pete as well as our Succession Planning Committee Kelly, Nicole, Jana and Bill help develop and maintain direction of the organization.
River’s Wish is fortunate to be able to work with so many veterinary clinics. Our primary veterinarians are Success in Motion Veterinary with Dr. Erin Kennedy, Medical Lake Veterinary, Red Barn Mobile Veterinary, Animal Clinic of Spokane, Indian Trail Animal Hospital and Mountain Empire Veterinary. Other veterinary clinics we are fortunate to access are Rosemarie Asterino, DVM, Hunter’s Vet, Deer Park Vet, McKinlay and Peters Equine and WSU Veterinary Hospital. We are also fortunate to work with Chris Eickhoff, our farrier. We are grateful to work with Bryant and Jason at the Country Store for our bi-monthly feed and supply delivery and Flecsher Ranch for quality hay. We value Rick DeBenedetto, Eide Bailly, Walt’s Mailing and Nadene for their professional services. We are grateful to have amazing neighbors the Koberstines and Rick, which is very important for animal sanctuaries! We are also grateful for the moral support from other rescues and sanctuaries and the team work from many parts of the country.
The list could go on to acknowledge the people, businesses and organizations who make a difference for RW. And if I have missed some, I am truly sorry. We really, really cannot do this without each of you.
And lastly, I am thankful for two women who remind me to never give up, my mom, Madeleine Durkin and my rescue colleague Sue Brennan of Rabbit Haven.