Oct 18, 2022
BYRON — Running an animal sanctuary isn’t necessarily easy or cheap.
That’s why cars were lined up Saturday on either side of Upper Holley Road as people visited for the Fall at Farm Festival.
The first-ever festival was a fundraiser for Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary. It featured raffles, vendors, vegan foods and tours of the farm.
Owner Jonell Chudyk of Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary, said the organization rescues farm animals from abuse, neglect and surrender.
“We get emails every day from folks to rehome mostly roosters and pigs,” she said. “We have animals from all walks of life. Young and old. Sick and elderly.”
Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary usually conducts tours throughout the year, and they get no grant or government funding, Chudyk said. All the money the operation receives is through donations from followers.
Because it’s a private property, people can’t just stop by and tours are by appointment only.
The idea for the fundraiser came about because fall was Chudyk and her co-founder’s favorite season. However, most importantly, they need to stock their barn full of hay and bedding.
“That’s our most costly expense outside of direct animal care,” Chudyk said. “The upstairs of this barn is our hayloft, and the goal of (Saturday) is to fill that at least twice.”
Courtney Loise, of Alexander, saw the event on Facebook and decided to come down and support it.
“We’re vegan, and we love everything that Mockingbird Farm does,” she said.
Loise and her two children were looking forward to seeing the rescued farm animals and were enjoying the vegan treats. She said looking after farm animals is hard work, and wants to extend a thank you to Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary for all the work they do.
Cayetano Valenzuela, of Granby, Oswego County, said he has been a friend of Chudyk for a long time and wanted to come down on Saturday to support her. He was also interested in seeing a tour, but believes at the time they were almost sold out.
For more information about Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary, visit www.mockingbirdfarmny.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @MockingbirdFarmSanctuaryNY.
