Andrea Davis – Director
From an early suburban life of cats, dogs, hamsters, lizards, horses, butterflies, and even leeches from the creek, or really any animal who would let me get my hands on them, it’s rare to find a childhood picture of me without an animal cameo.
I started my work with large animals going into the dairy industry. I had big dreams of being a world famous cheesemaker, but quickly realized my true passion was still caring for animals. After a couple of years running my own slaughter-free dairy model, it was clear that my heart was planted firmly in rescue. I donated the business, land and home I had worked so hard for to the sanctuary that was already sprouting up around us as we had begun rescuing several species even before closing the dairy in 2017. And it was the best decision I’ve ever made, bringing me to my true self and reflecting my desire to do truly good work in this world.
As the Director of Broken Shovels, I am combining a life’s worth of experience in animal husbandry, running a small business, outreach and education, and sales, coupling that with my bad sense of humor, workaholic tendencies and unstoppable idealism about what I can do to be of service to all species. But really, I think they gave me the job because no one else wanted to
do it! I am forever indebted to my mother, Joyce and my daughter, Emma, as well as my tireless co-workers, without any of whom this journey would not have been possible.