Dawn Olivieri leaves Los Angeles to build an Arkansas animal sanctuary

Actor Dawn Olivieri left Los Angeles for rural Arkansas in 2022 after a slowdown in her acting work made her question waiting for Hollywood opportunities.

She bought a 160-acre ranch outside Mena and says she chose the country life she had imagined for herself.

In 2023, she founded Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue, a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates horses and other animals.

The sanctuary cares for hundreds of animals, including horses, bison, zebras, camels, goats, sheep and dogs.

Olivieri says the move helped her feel more fulfilled and become a better actor, and that she has worked more since leaving Los Angeles.

She is living in a camper while expanding the sanctuary and plans to renovate the main barn and build a welcome area.