The Shannon Foundation

When most people think of a sanctuary, I'm sure their thoughts go to churches, especially those from the distant past that are beautiful beyond description. Light streams in through ornate stained glass windows. Statues and crosses line the walls and altar. These places are truly sacred; however, there are other places that I consider just as sacred. I visited one such place recently. This blog is dedicated to telling the story of The Shannon Foundation.

It is a sanctuary located in a beautiful valley tucked away in the hills of rural Missouri. Light streams in, not through stained glass, but through trees that surround the small farm house and barn that house one human and many furry and feathered beings. There are no statues or altars here. Just many happy and contented animals living out their lives in the sacredness of a loving home.

The Shannon Foundation covers almost 100 acres of spacious pastures, acres of woodland, a pond and a running stream. This farm is home to dogs, horses, pigs, birds, cats, Sika deer, mules, donkeys and a snake or two. Most of these animals have come from neglectful and abusive situations. Their needs are varied. Many animals are blind and/or deaf. Others have special needs. The main goal is to help each animal become emotionally stable and to grow into the beautiful, happy animal he/she was meant to be. As I visited and was greeted with a pack of happy dogs, tails wagging, eagerly wanting to smother me with sloppy wet kisses, I can vouch that these animals are happy.

One of the main purposes of this blog is to bring awareness to this farm as well as increase funding for this 501(c)(3) organization.


Over the last few years, the record breaking floods from the Meramec River devastated the farm. At one point, the water was visible outside the windows of the farm house. Out buildings and animal shelters were destroyed.  Fencing was washing away.  Other minor floods did nothing to help the repairs.


Many of the animals living here are in their "golden years." As we all know, these so-called golden year are anything but golden. They are not immune to the cancers and other ailments we all know too well as maturing humans.

In the next weeks and months, I plan on telling some of the stories of these beloved creatures. Their pasts are not pretty but their present is.

As a charitable organization, donations are tax deductible. I truly believe most people reading this blog could easily afford to give $5 or $10 on a monthly recurring basis. Care for these animals, especially those in hospice, can be extremely costly. Please check out their website for more information:

www.theshannonfoundation.org

or 

Facebook page "The Shannon Foundation"

Another, and maybe more pressing need, is some labor intensive work to heal Mother Nature's wrath. The Shannon Foundation relies on volunteers to continue the mission of caring for hard-to-place feathered and furry animals.  The main concern is the animals with whom this organization has been entrusted. These beautiful creatures are  the #1 priority and just visiting once shows me the quality of care and compassion each one is receiving.

Volunteers are welcome to assist in cleaning up flood damage or helping to replace fencing.  Doggie kisses are guaranteed with the promise of help from some of the "workers" living here on the farm.

If you are intersted in volunteering, please contact Rhonda Stephens at 636-629-4800.

PLEASE! PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE WHO LOVES 

AND CARES FOR ABUSED AND ELDERLY ANIMALS. 

Peace and blessings!