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Todays conversation with Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge Co-Founder and Executive Director, Wendy Smith was such a joy.

Wendy is both wise and compassionate. I could have spoken to her for hours. I’m blown away by her ability to excel in both the nurturing, care-giving component of running a sanctuary for a couple of hundred large animals and also her skill at the more strategic side of running and relocating (!) a sanctuary while also prioritising succession planning.  

Wendy and her partner Josh started Odd Man Inn in Washington State. When their registered 501(c)3 nonprofit needed more than 4 acres they moved from an area with a strong vegan network to a much smaller town with a heavy reliance on animal agriculture  where veganism was a foreign concept.

With the: Mission of providing lifelong sanctuary care to vulnerable animals and educating to inspire compassionate living.

Wendy, Josh and team Odd Man Inn: envision a world where all species are valued and protected.

Please enjoy this conversation about creating a safe haven for animals with no other options with Wendy Smith of Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge.

In this conversation we cover:

• Wendy’s becoming vegan story.
• Wendy and Josh started Odd Man Inn because of their commitment to a dog named Roswell.
• Relocating the sanctuary and its residents from Washington state to Tennessee.
• The challenges operating a sanctuary in an area with a strong reliance on animal agriculture.
• How to build community support in such an area AND respectfully educate.
• The importance of collaboration and presenting a united front among vegans and sanctuaries alike.
• Life lessons gleamed from interacting with the animal residents.
• Finding forever homes for hundreds of animals. From 2016-2021 OMI successfully rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed nearly 400 vulnerable animals of 15 different species.
• It’s not just about farm animals! OMI has defined a safe wildlife corridor around the perimeter of the property.
• The importance of having a succession strategy when taking on the responsibility for 100’s of lives.
• How to support the vital work that Odd Man Inn does.

I hope you loved that conversation as much as I did. Although I only spoke to Wendy, it is clear, her and Josh make an amazing team.

As an aside, I’ve had at least half a dozen podcast conversations with sanctuary founders and this stubbornly focused, endlessly compassionate, brave group of individuals have proven to be so very worthy of respect and support. 

It is no small feat to start and run a successful sanctuary. The pressure must be immense and relentless. If you too, are feeling gratitude and awe at the journey you’ve heard in this conversation you can connect with Wendy and learn more about supporting Odd Man Inn, by heading to oddmaninn.org. I also have you linked up in the show notes below.

Connect with Wendy and team Odd Man Inn across the socials: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Learn more about Odd Man Inn via the website: https://oddmaninn.org

Please consider joining the Odd Man Inn Medical Care Crew on Patreon:

We envision a world where all species are valued and protected. Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge Share on X

That’s it for this week in Healthification.

However, have you checked out my Plant Positive Journal yet? 

I am so very proud of this stunning journal. There is now also a fillable PDF version available for immediate download so wherever you are in the world you can still get Plant Positive with me!

If you are plant-based curious. Or already vegan and need a healthier approach to the lifestyle.

In this daily journal you will learn how to consistently prioritise food, exercise and other healthy habits that build on each other to have a compounding and lasting effect.

To help you create a BODY and LIFE you LOVE by successfully managing your TIME and your MIND.

It makes a great gift to YOU!

Or, for the loved one who is plant-based curious or who has been a valuable vegan ally to you.

You can check out the printed version HERE: 

Plus, the fillable PDF HERE: 

Importantly, the journal follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.

With love and gratitude plant friends.

If you liked “Odd Man Inn is Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerable Animals with Wendy Smith.” you’ll also like Pam Ahern from Edgars Mission Farm Sanctuary Is Creating A Kinder World For Farmed Animals.

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If you liked “Odd Man Inn is Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerable Animals with Wendy Smith.” you’ll also like Former Chicken and Cattle Farmers Go Vegan and Leave Animal Agriculture with Jennifer Barrett.