About

Protecting nature. Promoting compassion. Inspiring change.

Located on 98 acres in Newberg Oregon, Wildwood Farm Sanctuary is a haven for farm animals and wildlife alike. We provide lifelong refuge and rehabilitation for abused and abandoned farm animals while lovingly protecting the property’s native plants, wetlands, woodlands, and wild animals.

Through our mission and the lives of our beloved residents in this special place, we aspire to inspire! Our greatest hope is to help open eyes and reshape the way humans view and treat farm animals by considering a compassionate and cruelty-free way of living.

You can make a difference.

To learn about volunteer opportunities and public events, watch for our announcements on Facebook and Twitter. Wildwood Farm Sanctuary is a 501c3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible and go toward our mission of saving the lives of farm animals.

Led by advocates. Powered by compassion.

Comprised of animal advocates and business professionals, the Wildwood Farm Sanctuary Board of Directors and leaders are passionate about our mission of providing a better life for farm animals.

Shauna Sherick, Founder/President. Growing up on her grandparents’ farm, Shauna was always saving animals and dreamed of one day running her own animal sanctuary. Shauna graduated in 1994 with a degree in animal science and veterinary technician technology. Shauna began working at Newberg Veterinary Hospital that same year and continues to do so ever since. Shauna sees how unique and special farm animals are, and that they possess the same emotions and characteristics that companion animals such as dogs and cats have. And it was then Shauna removed animal products from her life and became deeply committed to helping farm animals who have been abused or abandoned by providing a compassionate, loving, safe place for them to live out their natural lives. Before founding Wildwood Farm Sanctuary, Shauna volunteered at a local animal shelter and also at the Portland Audubon Society, working for years in their wildlife care center and eventually earning a wildlife rehabilitation license.

Melissa Li, MD. A pathologist at Providence St. Vincent Medical center, Melissa specializes in gastrointestinal/liver pathology and is director of autopsy services. Melissa obtained her BS in biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her MD at Oregon Health Sciences University. She has been at St. Vincent’s since 2004. Melissa is honored to serve on the Oregon State council for the Humane Society of the United States, and sits on the board for Humane Oregon PAC and Vegan Outreach. She is deeply concerned about animal welfare and is incredibly grateful to serve on the board for Wildwood Farm Sanctuary where she can visit and make a difference in the lives of all the wonderful beings there. She loves to take photos of the chickens, turkeys, goats and cows and lives with two dogs, Lola and Pablo.

Michelle Blake, Vice President. A massage therapist, writer, and former journalist, Michelle has always looked for ways to contribute her skills to animal causes. She served as board president of Willamette Humane Society, where she was instrumental in opening their low-cost spay/neuter clinic. As a board member of Fences For Fido, she established their fence-building crews in Salem and Marion County, freeing hundreds of formerly-chained dogs. She’s also served on the Oregon State Council of the Humane Society of the United States and participated in legislative advocacy for animal protection. She loves to nerd out on the administrative end of nonprofit work, but also likes to haul her tools and trailer to help out with fence-building and light construction.

Max Seiler, Treasurer/Secretary. In addition to serving on the board, Max works in the human services field. He received a B.A. from Pacific University in Sociology and a minor in Peace and Social Justice, and has a strong background in volunteering for both animal and human related causes. On weekends he assists with volunteer coordination during our work parties and enjoys being able to share the “Wildwood experience” with others and educate visitors on the stories of animals and the industries or situations where they came from.

Julie Heade, Donor relations and Management. Julie Heade is an experienced partnership builder, working with individuals and organizations within the veterinary profession. She currently works for Banfield Pet Hospital, where she specializes in Industry Relations, finding mutually beneficial partnership opportunities with national and local associations, industry-leading conferences, academic institutions, trade media and more. Previously, she worked for DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital where she managed corporate sponsorships, founded the young professional’s board Dove in the City and built relationships with individual donors. She is passionate about animals, and currently volunteers with Oregon Humane Society’s Technical Animal Rescue Team (OHSTAR). She shares her home with two house bunnies—George and Bailey.

Lisa Ryan, Humane Education Coordinator. Lisa is a certified home horticulturalist, hobbyist musician, homeschooling mom, and ultra-runner with a fierce passion for animal advocacy and environmental sustainability. Lisa brings a background in nonprofit management as well as degrees in Social and Human Services and Early Childhood Education to her role as our education leader. Through humane education, especially with youth, Lisa hopes to promote compassion and inspire respect, empathy, and foster a deep understanding of humanity’s role as the main keepers of the natural environment, nonhuman animals, human health, and each other.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS:

Don Leffler. Farm Manager. Don was born and raised in Newberg, Oregon, and grew up living and breathing the farming lifestyle. His knowledge and expertise regarding the care of farm animals, as well as land management and preservation, makes Don an invaluable part of our sanctuary team. Don oversees the sanctuary’s structures, land development and growth. One of Don’s hobbies is restoring and showing vintage John Deere tractors, making him mighty handy with our tractors around the sanctuary. His green thumb makes him very popular with his family, friends and church, especially during the summer months.

Patti Loverink. Fundraising/Marketing: A passionate animal advocate and owner of a 20-year marketing communications agency, Patti applies her professional expertise to help animal-welfare non-profits publicly convey their mission, improve business structure and process, and establish and grow their community of supporters. With Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication, Patti has been working in media relations, event management, and marketing communications for 30 years and has served on the Board of Directors as President for a professional writing organization for four years and another animal advocacy organization in Portland organization as a Board member and Board Chair for four years.

Shelly Cohen, Volunteer Coordinator. Shelly serves as our volunteer coordinator who organizes weekly volunteer groups that help with farm chores, socialize with our animals, and help with other vital duties around the sanctuary.