Meet Dawna!
Since the summer of 2023, Dawna has been a regular Thursday morning volunteer at the sanctuary. Carroll’s is the first sanctuary that Dawna has ever volunteered at, and we could not feel luckier that she chose us! “I was specifically looking for an organization that rescued animals and where I could volunteer at a hands-on level. 
Geographically, Carroll’s is the closest to my home, so I decided volunteer here,” Dawna tells us. “And now, Carroll’s is my happy place!”
Along with the physical work of cleaning the barn pens and helping out with poop patrol, one of Dawna’s favourite activities is giving the animals their treats. Of course, she always makes sure that our residents mind their manners and stay safe. For example, she makes sure that Arla sits for her snacks, and that Carlisle doesn’t push the barn door up and escape and he’s been known to do! She even keeps a close eye on Beth to ensure that she doesn’t fall off the railing during her requisite and lengthy head scratches.
Dawna takes her work at the sanctuary seriously but sometimes our pigs, like Carlisle, like to make it difficult for her to get things done. “Once, on a gorgeous, sunny day, I was outside picking up poop,” recalls Dawna, “and Carlisle was wanting a lot of attention. Of course, I gave him tons of scratches and rubs but when I tried to get back to my work, he got downright pushy! Finally, I told him to go away which, of course, he totally ignored. I had no choice but to call in reinforcements! I turned to Cedric and said, make Carlisle go away so I can get some work done and, I kid you not, no sooner had I said that when I hear squealing and there was Cedric pushing Carlisle away with his snout! From that moment on, Cedric has been my hero!”
We are so lucky to have such a dedicated and caring volunteer as Dawna!
We are so lucky to have Courtney as a regular volunteer. She has been volunteering at Carroll’s since October 2023 and comes out 2-3 times a week. This is the first sanctuary that Courtney has volunteered at, and she loves every minute she gets to spend with the animals as they enjoy their best life, full of love.
Of course, it’s hard to pick a favourite resident but when pushed, Kate declared a special love for two of our pigs, Dennis and Cedrick. Sadly, Dennis has passed away, but Cedrick still pulls on Kate’s heartstrings. “He is a large pig who thinks like a little pot-bellied toddler,” laughs Kate. “He is mischievous but also so, so sweet. And, he has the most beautiful eyes!”