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Tiny Sydney

by Flippo Rivetti

Tiny Sydney

by Flippo Rivetti

FROM SLAUGHTER HOUSE TO SAFETY

232 acres of pastures provides home to over 400 farmed animals who escaped certain doom.

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16 hours ago
Skylands Animal Sanctuary And Rescue

Even a routine trip to the store isn’t routine when you rescue animals. Please don’t buy chickens, they aren’t all hens and the boys are so often just discarded.. Taking these beautiful boys is a years long commitment… They are someone, not something.. Welcome aboard, boys. ... See MoreSee Less

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Thank God you guys are the ones who came upon them first! They just hit the jackpot! 🥰

You’re the best. Shame on those people!!

And this is (I think) the house that sells breeder dogs too … it’s so frustrating to live in this world - thank you so much for saving them

I despise how we treat them as objects instead of the sentient beings that they are. Ten of them cramped into a cage next to a busy road in the sun with no room to stretch their wings, standing on painful cage bars all day long. Disgusting and shameful. Thank you for rescuing them.

That’s so evil. Thrown away like trash. Thank goodness you drove by, they would be dead and eaten by now! 😩

I’m sure this will be the best day of their life coming home with you 💕 Beyond sad just left on the side of the road 😞 They are just so beautiful and now blessed 💕

Thank for saving those poor boys

Thank you for saving the animals. Your a special kind of person. May God bless you Mike.

They put them out on the street like they're old furniture or trash. 😞 Thank you so much for helping these guys. ❤️

They are gorgeous! Roosters are people too. ❤️

“Help yourself”… like they’re oranges or apples on the side of the road. How cruel. Thank goodness you seen them. I can’t imagine what would have happened to them.

Thank you so much for saving them! It's sure their lucky day! We're still very appreciative for you taking in the flock of hens we had saved but could not find safe homes for. Thank you for all that you do!

Thank you for rescuing them. They must have been so confused and scared, all crammed in a cage together with cars whizzing by them. 🙁😔

Who does this?? Horrible. Thank you for taking them.

Thank goodness it was you two who saw them and, of course didn’t hesitate to act. I know taking on more roosters isn’t ideal, but you always do the right thing. They will have a wonderful life now. 💕💕💕

I believe that property was breeding dogs too recently. I remember seeing all of the signs for different dog breeds for sale. I hope the dogs weren’t treated like that. It’s a shame. 😢

You are beautiful souls! Wish there were more people like you, but thank goodness for you. ❤️ I'll never understand that ignorant and heartless mentality, to discard living things on the side of the road like they are trash, and to not care in whose hands they end up. Fortunately for these guys, it was yours.

I'll never understand people 😞

Thank you so much for saving them 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Heartbreaking to see them smushed all together in that cage, just left on the side of the road like old furniture. This could have ended horribly for them (cock fighting is what enters my head immediately). Thank you for saving them.

This is such a cruel aspect of egg production 💔 Thank you for sharing this

And yet they have a rooster on their mailbox 🙄 Thank you for rescuing them!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! We love you!! 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 this is just so very sad to see it honestly turned my stomach! I’ve been a rescuer for 40+ years and I would have done this too.. THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH.. I’m making a donation 😇😍💕🙌🏻🐓🥰🎅🏻

This just infuriates me! Thank you for offering these beautiful souls a life ❤️❤️❤️

Thanks, Mike! God knows what would've happened to them if you hadn't been there - was meant to be. You won't be needing an alarm clock anymore, I'm thinking. They are beautiful.

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The sanctuary opens for tours on May 15!
Stay awhile – book a night or two to get the full experience in our new B&B.

Each One Has A Story Of Survival

Freddie escaped from a slaughterhouse — and ran for his life through the streets of NYC.

ALBERT

A young man and his friends went to an organic family farm in order to buy pigs for a pig roast. Four of the guys bought piglets but the fifth guy did not. He was a 22-year-old. The farmer said, would you like this little runt because I can’t sell him.

SPONSOR ALBERT

EMMA

Mike received a call from a dairy worker in Connecticut saying they had a bull calf they would let go if he was interested. When he arrived at the location, he saw a tiny 2-day old calf. They said, “he’s with his mother because his mother is sick.”

SPONSOR EMMA

FAWN

A telephone call came in from the local SPCA which is only about 1/2 hour away. They said they needed help with a pig rescue. When he arrived at the location they gave him, Mike could see that this was a horrible neglect case.

SPONSOR FAWN

WILSON

One day, Mike received an unexpected telephone call from the local SPCA which is only about 1/2 hour away. They said they needed help with a pig rescue. When he arrived at the location they gave him, Mike could see that this was a horrible neglect case.

SPONSOR WILSON

ANDY

Andy came to Skylands together with another turkey named Robin around July of 2015. They were supposed to be Thanksgiving birds. They are called broad-breasted white turkeys. Someone just dropped them off mysteriously and didn’t wait to give an account of their story but we know they’re safe and sound now.

SPONSOR ANDY

BRONX

Bronx was brought in by the Bronx animal control staff. Many times, animals are seen on the streets and are picked up with no real destination, so they are often brought to the nearest sanctuary. We weren’t told Bronxies story but we’re thankful he’s here now.

SPONSOR BRONX

Angel

ANGEL

Angel’s mother had beautiful baby twins. She only had 3 teats though and wasn’t producing milk very well. So instead of sending one of the babies away, the owner brought her to Mike. Honestly, the man looked happy with himself that he did it! We know we are.

SPONSOR ANGEL NOW

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  • Stephanie BerraStephanie Berra

    What a magical experience. The grounds, humans, and animals at Skylands are all so wonderful and awe inspiring. Mike and team's dedication to these gentle, rescued 'kids' and getting to spend time and interact with them was one of the most soothing and beautiful experiences I've had the pleasure of having. Can't wait to back!

  • J LJ L

    This is a place for animal lovers, you can come and visit or you can come and volunteer. Our family has been able to do both and we enjoyed every visit. This was my first time visiting the sanctuary. I had signed up to volunteer and was really excited about meeting the animals, especially the famous ones like Freddy. He escaped a slaughterhouse in Queens, NY, my old neighborhood and made the news that day. Thank God for Mike who rescued him and has been rescuing animals for years. He sure is heaven sent and has been doing an amazing job caring for these animals who deserve to live out the rest of their days treated with love and kindness the way all animals should be treated

  • Jane PierantozziJane Pierantozzi

    We had a fantastic time volunteering at the sanctuary and meeting the precious animals who were rescued or escaped from slaughterhouses. The founder Mike Stura is a hero. Mary his lead for operations and volunteers was terrific. Both were warm and compassionate. We stayed at the Minerals resort hotel, which was only 10 minutes away and was convenient. We can not wait to go back.

  • Mitchell KurtzerMitchell Kurtzer

    We spent a wonderful day volunteering and bonding with these magnificent animals. Mike & Mary were incredible hosts and shared amazing stories of their animal rescues. This was our first visit and loved every second. Wear your washable boots. 😊👍