Meet Our Founder and Operator

Founder/President

Elaine West

Elaine West founded Rooterville Animal Sanctuary Inc. with the help and support of her late husband and partner Dale West, in 2004. Elaine was disabled after a car accident in 2011 and Dale passed away suddenly in 2015, leaving her to manage the operation of the sanctuary on her own, a daunting task! She did not back down, showing her undying commitment to help animals and share them with as many people as possible.

Today, Elaine serves as president and leads a team of three that handle everything in the daily operations of the business and upkeep of the sanctuary, as well as caring for the amazing, happy animals that call the sanctuary home.

For the past 20 years, Elaine has not been paid a salary or charged Rooterville for many services she has provided to help the animals and make a difference.  This shows the depth of love and compassion she has for these animals and the mission of Rooterville.

​I grew up around farms and farmers. Of all the animals, I loved the pigs the best. There is nothing cuter than a baby pig. In my youth, I nursed many runts to health. When potbellied pigs came to the US, I had to have one. So, I saved up and bought two! It was no surprise my first rescue was a little gray potbellied pig who won me over at hello when she rolled over for her belly rub at the sound of a friendly voice at a local Humane Society that was giving her away to be eaten. That little pig changed everything!"


We are not able to take in anymore animals at Rooterville, the best advice we can give is to get on Facebook and find the pet pig groups and share piggies with them and pray for a private person willing to take in an extra pig or two and change the world for them.

Stephanie:  A Faithful Volunteer & Friend

Stephanie and sometimes her daughter Amy too, have been the most amazing volunteers. Every week for the past nearly 8 years, without fail, Stephanie shows up to care for the animals!  Her and Amy were the ONLY volunteers who came to help us move, which speaks volumes for the love and compassion they have for the animals here at Rooterville.

We love them and hope to have many more years of their friendship and amazing support! 

Jackie:  A Dear Friend and Devoted Do-Gooder

Jackie has become a beloved friend and faithful volunteer here at Rooterville.  For the past 5 years, we have enjoyed her help nearly every week with gardening, cleaning or whatever we needed here at the sanctuary.  Jackie stays busy in her retirement years volunteering with many worthy causes including Guardian Ad Litem, serving at a  medical clinic for low income & disadvantaged folks and helping at her church.  The world needs more wonderful people like Jackie who selflessly give of their time and talents to make this world a better place for those less fortunate.  We are blessed that she has chosen Rooterville as one of the places to give her time and talents to.  Jackie has become a dear friend over the years and she is such a beautiful person, what a blessing to all who get to know her!


Vicki and Mark-Volunteers to Neighbors!

Vicki and Mark have been regular volunteers for the past 8 years now.  The smile on Vicki's face says it all!  No one enjoys spending time with the animals more than her, I'm pretty sure!  They love Rooterville so much that they purchased the lot behind us so that they could spend weekends here as it is a long drive back and forth from Jacksonville.

Every other weekend, around lunch time, Mark and Vicki drive in with a small trailer loaded with fruits and treats for the animals.  They even remember the cats bringing them catnip and cat treats.  Bear gets a good brushing and occasional bath when they visit too. 

Mark is helping on our board of directors as well, demonstrating their commitment to Rooterville and the good work we're doing here.  Thank you Vicki & Mark!

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