BY ALLISON LEE
Regular readers know I’m a passionate advocate for genuine animal charities. I deeply admire those who dedicate their time and resources to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing homes for neglected or abandoned animals. This week, I want to highlight the remarkable work of an animal sanctuary in the US.
Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit charity in Parksville, New York, nestled in the Catskills. Todd Friedman founded the sanctuary in 2018 after discovering a former backyard slaughterhouse in appalling condition. He first visited the property to explore the idea of creating a sanctuary. During his visit, he uncovered animal remains, slaughter equipment, and clear evidence of animal suffering. The agent noted there might even be a pig remaining. Todd insisted on searching, and found Arthur—a small piglet confined in a pen without sufficient food, water, or care. Arthur approached Todd right away. In that moment, Todd’s idea of creating a sanctuary turned into an urgent rescue. Todd secured Arthur’s release on the spot, making him the namesake and first resident of Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary.
Todd purchased the property soon after, marking a turning point as the sanctuary embraced its mission: transforming a place of suffering into a place of safety.
Although Todd lacks a farming or veterinary background, he has always felt a strong bond with animals. Like many sanctuary founders, he gained expertise through hands-on rescue work, guidance from veterinarians and established sanctuaries, and years of daily animal care.
Before founding the sanctuary, Todd owned and managed businesses. However, he yearned to pursue more purposeful, compassionate work. This conviction led him to volunteer at sanctuaries, later work at one, and to finally commit to building Arthur’s Acres.
Todd works at the sanctuary full-time, drawing no salary. He lives simply on his savings, ensuring every donation supports animal care and operations. His days are dedicated to the animals’ needs, from early feedings to late health checks. Over time, he has built a reliable network of volunteers, caregivers, veterinarians, farriers, and other sanctuary leaders.
Arthur’s Acres has a small care team including individuals with backgrounds in animal handling, veterinary medicine, rescue, and farm animal care, supported by dedicated volunteers trained in sanctuary protocols and species-specific practices.
As the sanctuary expanded, many of the pigs arrived bearing the scars of neglect, abandonment, hoarding, animal testing, or misguided homes that could not meet their needs. Each story behind a rescue request—from animal control officers, veterinarians, caring communities, or urgent posts on social media—speaks to a world where these animals were once overlooked or misunderstood. Today, the sanctuary is a place of healing for 51 pigs, as well as a handful of other farmed animals and dogs, and cats, each one now cherished for the life they bring to this safe haven.
Rehabilitation varies for each pig at the sanctuary. Many arrive overweight, afraid, withdrawn, or defensive, unfamiliar with kindness. Arthur’s Acres focuses on rehabilitation through:
- A healthy, species-appropriate diet
- Proper veterinary and hoof care
- Predictable routines
- Gentle, consistent human interaction
- Social bonding with other pigs
- Safe, enriched outdoor spaces
- Allowing pigs to set the pace of trust
Bek Calo, who devotes her heart to the sanctuary as Communications and Programs Director, shared her experiences with me: “Some pigs who once ran in terror now come seeking belly rubs, surprising us with their trust. Others may always hold back, and that’s okay. Just like people, we give them gentle space and time to heal. Sanctuary is about honoring their journey and letting them show us who they truly are.”
Education is woven into everything the sanctuary does. To help educate people about living a cruelty-free life, Arthur’s Acres uses several approaches such as:
- Sharing individual animal stories on social media
- Hosting sanctuary tours year-round and volunteer days
- Welcoming school and youth group visits
- Partnering with local non-profitable organisations
- Hosting community outreach events at the sanctuary
- Creating documentaries for Youtube
- Giving regular livestreams, including compassionate cooking segments featuring plant-based meals
- Having conversations about plant-based living tied to real rescued animals (including pigs who survived animal testing)
- Transparent storytelling about medical care, aging, and the emotional lives of pigs.
Bek tells me, “When someone meets a pig as an individual, rather than a commodity, something profound happens. We so often receive messages from people who say one of our residents inspired real, life-changing shifts in their hearts, and in their lives.”
Another key aspect of the sanctuary’s mission is to reveal the pigs’ individuality and rich emotional lives. Supporters—affectionately called “the Village”—don’t just donate; they form meaningful bonds with the animals through heartfelt stories, personal updates, and joyful videos. The sanctuary gratefully connects with supporters stretching from Australia to Hungary, Germany, Scotland, England, and Hawaii.
Arthur’s Acres raise funds in a variety of ways such as:
- Individual donations
- Monthly sponsorships for specific animals
- Patreon memberships
- Fundraising events (both in-person and virtual. Todd did a marathon livestream mowing the sanctuary’s pasture; he dressed in a blowup pig costume when the sanctuary hit certain milestones)
- Merchandise featuring the residents
- Social media campaigns tied to specific needs (medical care, shelter improvements, winter preparation, etc.)
Transparency is key at the sanctuary. Supporters see exactly where funds go and how they impact real lives.
Knowing firsthand how pigs charm with their heart and humour, I asked Bek to share what makes Arthur’s Acres’ residents unforgettable. Her response painted some beautiful, moving portraits.
Prim, a 700-pound rescue pig, is our ‘Zoomie Queen.’ Despite her size, she still gets bursts of joy where she runs full speed across the field like a puppy. Her daughter Rue follows her everywhere like a shadow, and their bond is beautiful to watch. Dorothy and Glinda, two young Meishan sisters, are inseparable. As piglets they used to steal shoes from the porch; now they drag food bowls around the sanctuary and hide them. Princess (our oldest pig at 16) and Wilbur (6) are a bonded pair. They bicker over blankets every evening but sleep belly-to-belly every night. Timmy, who once lived outside in horrific conditions without bedding, now sleeps on his very own sofa and protests loudly if anyone tries to share it. Both Timmy and Wilbur are known for their dramatic, high-pitched cries when upset. Wilbur is especially famous for complaining when it starts to drizzle. Anne Claire is fiercely independent. Though bonded with a pig named Lenny, she loves solitary grazing time and is often the last one outside, completely content in her own world. Moby, a Kunekune pig, loves car rides. On trips to the vet, he sticks his head out of the window like a dog.”
Life on the sanctuary seems absolutely idyllic. When winter’s chill arrives, smaller pigs nestle into warm litter boxes under heavy blankets in their heated barn, while the larger pigs burrow blissfully into mounds of straw. Each animals’ preferences, friendships, joys, and quirks are not just noticed—they are celebrated. At Arthur’s Acres, every pig’s spirit is cherished for exactly who they are.
The sanctuary shares many of their stories on their YouTube channel for those who want a deeper look into individual rescue journeys.
Bek confided that life at the sanctuary is “muddy, physical, emotional, joyful, and deeply meaningful.” In every step, from rescue to recovery, you can feel the gratitude radiate from animals whose lives have been forever changed. Their stories are a testament to courage, love, and the extraordinary bond between people and the animals they save.
To learn more about Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.