A Massive THANK YOU to All of Our Volunteers

Our volunteers are our heart and soul.

We are a 100% Volunteer-run organization. This means individuals who are willing to dedicate any of their time and energy to our mission are the most incredible and important assets to our sanctuary. It takes a village, and ours is one of the best. Every single day, our residents need to be fed, watered, their areas cleaned and tended to, and of course, they need love, companionship, and attention. That requires lots of dedication from lots ofdifferent people.

If you are a volunteer at our sanctuary and you have contributed any amount of yourself to our babies, from the bottom of our hearts,

Thank You.

You are the reason that we have been able to build our sanctuary to the point that it's at now.

Sandi Tripp

"I learned about 4Them in January 2019. I messaged Leslie and made arrangements to come for a visit. She told me she was getting a new rescue that week and I could meet him. He was a baby pig named Trucker. I was so excited. It was love at first sight for me. He had the sweetest little grunt. I fed him bananas and he even fell asleep in my arms. He was so tiny.

I thought about him 24/7. It was kinda like a crush. I was planning my next trip to Sweetwater so I could spend more time with him. We would hang out getting belly rubs and I would sing to him. I still do today and he always goes down for a belly rub.

There have been many rescues with heart stealing stories and many projects since that day and I cherish each one.

I have never been in a place where I have felt more at home surrounded by love and compassion.

Leslie lives it every day and I am so thankful she lets me share in her little piece of heaven.

#IKissedA🐷andIlikedit!!!"

Tony Amos

“I visited 4Them Sanctuary and met Leslie in late January 2019 shortly after she had opened. There were chickens living in a pink child's playhouse, 3 young pigs cuddled up in a farm building, a cute little piglet name Trucker running around in a blue sweater because he hated to be cold, and Leslie was carrying Krystal the blind lamb like a baby feeding her a bottle. At first I thought "what kind of circus is this?" But after spending time with the babies, hearing their stories, and witnessing Leslie's love, vision and determination to provide them the absolute best home for the rest of their lives...I realized "this is my kind of circus!" I've been a volunteer ever since! There have been more rescues and many projects, improvements, and expansions over the years. But at the heart of it all has been Leslie's absolute love and unwavering sacrifice to make this happen. 4Them Sanctuary is their forever home and I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to help them any way I can.”

Dereck Stinson

“Soon after I went vegan, I was at work and realized how much scrap produce that we threw away each day so I reached out to Leslie and asked if she could use it and I’ve been providing 4Them with produce twice a week for over 3 years now! Saving the scraps is just as important as my actual job for me. There is such a good feeling that comes with helping such fortunate animals to have survived and come home to 4them. They bring so much joy to those close to them and they deserve all of the love shown right back.”

Mary Rose and Coty Waldvogel

" It’s difficult to put into words just how much 4Them means to Coty and me. I’ll do my best with a story! Coty and I were born and raised in Illinois. One year, we decided to vacation to the area and visit another sanctuary. While at the other sanctuary, we met some volunteers who told us we absolutely needed to get a meal at the Sanctuary Vegan Café. So we did, and we didn’t know at the time, but that decision would change our lives forever. At the café, we met Leslie. She sat with us and told us her plans for opening a sanctuary of her own. I’m an introvert and am very sensitive to people’s energy. I usually hate meeting new people; however, we both found it almost impossible to leave. It was like we instantly became connected to Leslie and 4Them before the land was even purchased! When we got back to Illinois, it didn’t feel the same anymore. We felt an undeniably strong pull to return to Tennessee. And so that is exactly what we did the next year! I told my job that they were going to let me work remotely, or I would quit. Coty left his job, and we moved with Chloe (our beloved dog who is no longer with us) to a state where we had no family or friends. Risky? Definitely! Worth it? 10 million times yes!!!

Once we found a place to rent, I quickly reached out to Leslie. She had just purchased the land for the sanctuary. I came out as soon as I could. It was a rainy, cold day, but still one of my favorite days yet. The Colorado girls had just recently arrived, and I got to spend time getting to know them and Leslie more. From then on, Coty and I started visiting every weekend. We fell in love all over again with each and every rescue. Especially Nathan- that pig has my heart! In November of 2021, our lives changed yet again when our twin boys were born. We are so in love with our little vegans and cannot wait to introduce them to Leslie and the 4Them family. One of the hardest parts about this has been that we have had to pause our volunteering at the sanctuary- Our boys are definitely 2 full time jobs! That being said, soon enough they will be scooping cow poop in the pasture and feeling the love of 4Them. 4Them is magical. Leslie is magical. All of the rescues are magical. If everyone had the heart and spirit of 4Them, the world would be magical too."

Caleb Whitfield

“In a world full of apathy, hostility, and hatred, 4Them exists as a safe haven for both animals and people of all conditions, backgrounds, and identities. I'm extremely grateful to be a small part of this magnificent community by partnering with a local farm and providing fresh produce for the animals and helping with assorted tasks. This sanctuary and its mission reminds me to continue seeking peace and generosity and encourages me to choose kindness on a daily basis. As Gandi states, "The more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by humans from the cruelty of humans," and this is a principle that 4Them proudly stands by. I'm thrilled to be involved with such a mindful community!“