From the moment Shelley Britenbucher stood up in her school classroom in the 1970s and declared, “I’m going to start a farm sanctuary when I grow up,” the seed was planted. Decades later, that dream became reality. During this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Moss, Shelley shared the remarkable journey behind the founding of Shangri-La Farm Sanctuary in Litchfield, Ohio.
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A Childhood Vow Comes Full Circle
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Shelley and her husband Jeff opened the gates to Shangri-La Farm Sanctuary over seven years ago. What began with the rescue of two horses headed for slaughter,Tatanka and Maisie, quickly
expanded. Soon, a donkey named Cisco joined the fold after enduring severe neglect. The sanctuary has since grown to nearly 20 residents, including senior dogs, goats, chickens, turkeys, and more farm animals needing lifelong care and love.
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From Vegetarian to Vegan—and Fully Committed
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Shelley’s transition to veganism marked a pivotal point. Though she had been a vegetarian for nearly 40 years, a deeper awakening about the plight of animals led her to go fully vegan. This shift solidified her dedication to ensuring the animals she rescues are never harmed, exploited, or rehomed unnecessarily. “They are under your care for life,” she explains, reflecting on the profound responsibility of sanctuary work.
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Understanding the Tenets of True Sanctuary
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At Shangri-La, the commitment is clear: no harm, no exploitation. That means no leather, no honey, no silk, and certainly no products derived from the very beings they work to save. “You cannot have a fundraiser and serve the very animals you’re trying to save on a plate,” Shelley says. For her, veganism isn’t optional, it’s foundational.
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The Residents of Shangri-La
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Each animal has a story, and Shelley knows them all by heart. There’s Tatanka, the spirited horse who still flinches at the vet’s touch. Cisco, the once-neglected donkey who now thrives in safety. Bonnie and Clyde, the goats who leapt into a truck the day they were rescued. Penelope and Matilda, the turkeys saved just before Thanksgiving. And Belle, a draft pony rehomed after her human passed away.
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And then, there was Maisie, Shelley’s first rescue, an elderly Amish pony who lived to be 40. When it came time to say goodbye, the sanctuary gave her the most loving send-off possible, surrounded by her equine companions in the back pasture.
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A Voice for the Voiceless
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Shelley speaks passionately about the brutal truth behind horse and donkey slaughter. “It’s unbelievable what is allowed to happen,” she says, describing the way these animals are shipped across borders under horrifying conditions. Her refusal to attend auctions is a form of self-protection, but her advocacy never stops.
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She also sheds light on the cruel treatment of wild ponies, including the annual roundups where foals are separated from their mothers and forced to swim for auction. “These stories are just not being told,” she emphasizes.
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Living Vegan in a Rural Community
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Life in a farm country brings unique challenges. “I have to just keep my mouth shut, which is the hardest thing in the world to do,” Shelley admits. Seeing local posts about “freezer chickens” and
spring lambs for sale is heartbreaking. And yet, she remains a steady force of compassion, even forging unexpected conversations with people on the other side of the belief spectrum—including a beef farmer’s wife, with whom she shared a powerful, respectful discussion.
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Thinking of Starting a Sanctuary? Shelley Shares Her Advice
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Shelley doesn’t sugarcoat it: sanctuary work is not for the faint of heart. “You have to have love. You have to be vegan. You have to have deep pockets.” Most sanctuaries are self-funded, and the emotional weight of not being able to save every animal can be devastating.
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She emphasizes the importance of land, proper shelter, knowing when to say no, and having a supportive community. For Shelley, that support includes her husband Jeff, who has built nearly every structure on the property. “It was not his dream—it was mine. But he’s been my rock and guardian angel through it all.”
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How to Support Shangri-La Farm Sanctuary
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Running a sanctuary is a 24/7 commitment. Monthly expenses average $1,200–$1,300, with vet bills adding another $1,000 during annual checkups. Farrier visits every five to six weeks cost $250. Donations via Venmo or PayPal are always deeply appreciated.
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You can follow and support Shelley and the animals at:
Shangri-La Farm Sanctuary
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SHANGRILAFARMSANCTUARY
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Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:45] How Shelley’s passion for sanctuaries began.
[05:00] Tenants of sanctuaries.
[07:30] Saving horses from slaughter is not always easy or simple.
[11:00] A few of the many “family” members at the sanctuary.
[14:50] The homecoming of a very special draft pony.
[17:00] The untold horror story of what happens to horses at auction.
[20:30] Wild ponies suffer terribly in transport.
[24:00] At fundraisers, you can’t serve and eat the very animals you are rescuing.
[31:00] A meeting of the minds takes work.
[33:30] The financial needs of Shangi-La Farm Sanctuary.
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About Shelley Britenbucher
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Shelley Britenbucher (Shelley B). is the dedicated founder of Shangri La Farm Sanctuary, a haven for rescued animals that she established seven years ago. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Shelley has poured her heart into creating a sanctuary where animals in need can find safety, love, and care. Her vision would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her husband, Jeff, who plays a vital role in building shelters, installing fences, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
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Shangri La Farm Sanctuary operates solely through donations, relying on community support to provide for its residents. The monthly costs for hay, grain, bedding, and farrier visits total approximately $1,400, making every contribution essential. Those unable to donate financially can still make an impact by sharing the sanctuary’s mission and spreading the word about its work.
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For over 14 years, Shelley and Jeff have specialized in rescuing senior dogs with disabilities, many of whom were pulled from kill shelters after being deemed “unadoptable” due to age-related conditions such as cancer, arthritis, blindness, and deafness. These dogs, often surrendered and overlooked, find a loving home at Shangri La, where they live out their remaining years in comfort and dignity.
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To date, Shelley and Jeff have rescued over 13 senior dogs from high-risk shelters, in addition to adopting from rescue groups. Each resident has a story of resilience, but some stand out as particularly heartbreaking. Avalon, for instance, was rescued from an extreme hoarding situation in which 119 dogs were crammed into a 700-square-foot cottage, many in deplorable conditions. Pregnant at the time of her rescue, Avalon has since spent the past 12 years thriving in the safety of Shangri La.
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Among the sanctuary’s current residents are:
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- Poppy, who had to have her leg amputated after being left untreated for three days following an accident. Despite her hardship, she moves through life with remarkable resilience.
- Little Ollie, a former breeder dog who spent five years confined to a cage, never knowing the feeling of grass beneath his paws until he was rescued eight years ago.
- Merlin, another survivor from a hoarding situation, who is now nearly 11 years old and enjoying his golden years in peace.
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Together, Shelley, Jeff, and their beloved animals form the heart and soul of Shangri La Farm Sanctuary, a place where every being is valued and cherished. They continue their mission with the belief in “Peace for all beings.”
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https://shangri-lafarmsanctuary.com/
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About Cheryl Moss
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Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare
leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
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Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books—Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig—which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
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When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, show jumping, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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https://www.facebook.com/BLFAnimals/
https://www.instagram.com/betterlife4animals/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmossabetterlifeforanimals/
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