Aimee Kootnikoff - Founder
Aimee is the founder of Kootenay Acres Farm Sanctuary and the driving force behind the care and well-being of every animal who calls the sanctuary home. While working full-time outside of the sanctuary, she spends every other waking moment caring for the residents. During the warmer months, it's not uncommon to find her sleeping outdoors alongside the sheep, simply because she enjoys being close to them and ensuring they feel safe and loved.
Aimee has spent much of her life helping injured, orphaned, and vulnerable animals—from family pets to local wildlife in need of care. It was only natural that her compassion eventually extended to farmed animals, whose intelligence, affection, and unique personalities quickly captured her heart.
Through sanctuary work she has found a love for sheep, and now focuses her rescue efforts on providing homes for special needs and rehomed sheep in addition to educating people how intelligent and sentient these beings are.
Aimee is vegan for the animals and is passionate about creating a more compassionate world through education, advocacy, and the everyday stories of the sanctuary's residents. By sharing their lives and personalities, she hopes to encourage others to see farmed animals through a different lens—one rooted in empathy, respect, and understanding.
Our mission
Through Kootenay Acres Farm Sanctuary, Aimee hopes to inspire people to see farmed animals not as commodities, but as individuals. Her goal is to help others make the connection between the animals traditionally raised for food and the cats and dogs who share our homes. Whether it's a sheep seeking affection, a pig enjoying a belly rub, or a chicken eager for attention, she believes every animal deserves the chance to be known and loved for who they are.
Kootenay Acres Farm Sanctuary is a registered non-profit farm animal sanctuary located in Krestova in the West Kootenays. We are currently applying for charitable status. We are dedicated to providing lifelong care to almost 80 rescued, rehomed, and special-needs farm animals while promoting compassion, education, and humane treatment for all animals.
