Stephanie Boydston–founder and director of Love Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, a refuge in Myakka City, FL devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing farmed animals—recalls a childhood in Long Island, NY amidst a string of foster animals, reflecting her father’s belief that family members should become accustomed to saying goodbye to animals.

These were mostly cats and dogs, which Boydston enthusiastically recollects loving equally—though eventually, begrudgingly, reveals a senior feline named Willow was her fave in those days.

A pivotal part of the Stephanie Boydston narrative was, while still going to school in NY, she began snowbirding, bouncing back and forth from Fort Lauderdale and other parts of Florida. 

While some of those stints involved bartending or other food & bev gigs, she ultimately landed her “dream job”: working in development for Make-A-Wish, the well-known, national nonprofit based in south Florida. Boydston was initially drawn to Make-A-Wish, tied to a close friend who became seriously ill, and later died. 

But her work for the organization yielded fundraising experience, nonprofit knowledge, financial acumen, and other skills—all rather singular in the realm of those who run rescues and/or sanctuaries.  

Another central element of the Stephanie Boydston story was starting to volunteer at Good Karma Pet Rescue, in Fort Lauderdale, and while there, a litter of 10 potbellied pigs arrived. 

She found homes for eight of those pigs, but the other two ended up living with Boydston, setting in motion a transformative experience that–some years and many, many animals later—led to the launching of Love Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary spans 10 acres, and currently houses 211 animals, including goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, and pigs. Lots and lots of pigs. That’s quite a menagerie, the care and feeding of which Boydston chiefly handles solo. 

She says her monthly nut to look after those 211 animals, and other expenses, runs $6200. To contribute to that ongoing outlay, inquire about volunteering, look into adopting a current resident, meet those animals, and so on, you can visit the website: https://www.lovelifeanimalrescue.org/  

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