For the animal lovers - Heartwood Haven Sanctuary
Heartwood Haven. I love the name, I love the purpose. Most of all, I love the animals! Most of you know that as an animal lover one way that I love to give back is to volunteer my camera work at animal sanctuaries. Sanctuaries can use the images to sell at auctions, social media, their websites, calendars, writing blogs, making post cards, raise awareness, whatever helps. If my photographs can help one animal have a meal, it’s worth it for me. Running an animal sanctuary not an easy job, a labor of love is an understatement. I for one SALUTE YOU.
The cofounders and heart behind this mission are Kate Tsyrklevich and Hope Hilman. A woman ownded, non profit organization made out of love sweat, and tears (no blood shed at this farm sanctuary)
“Heartwood Haven Animal Sanctuary began when its co-founders heard about roosters rescued from cockfighting seeking homes. Although we didn’t have any experience with chickens we volunteered to take one into our home to prevent him from being euthanized. We named him Porter. Once Porter arrived, we were a little apprehensive but he immediately won us over with his warm personality and affection for humans. Since then we have rescued over 200 animals in need. We focus our efforts on special needs animals as well as those who are abused, neglected or likely to be killed.
We provide sanctuary to a variety of species of farm animals as well as dogs and cats. If there is ever an animal in need we will always offer them a safe and loving home.
Getting involved with your local sanctuary is another great way to help the animals. You can volunteer your time to work, spend time with the animals, or donate funds. Going vegan is the best way to treat the animals, the environment, and yourself. All animals deserve the same love, respect, and admiration.” I stole that from their website, linked at the end.
Pigs are considered the fifth-most intelligent animal in the world—even more intelligent than dogs—and are capable of playing video games with more focus and success than chimps.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi
Mother pigs use individual calls for each of their piglets. Newborn piglets recognize their own calls and run to their mothers’
voices. This is my friend Britt, a fellow animal lover. I brought her along for my shoot because I figured the animals could use her gentle spirit and her company.
Pigs enjoy snuggling close to one another and prefer to sleep nose-to-nose.
Factory farmed pigs suffer extreme physical and psychological trauma and depravation. Approximately 105 million pigs raised yearly for slaughter on factory farms. Breeding sows (female pigs who produce multiple litters a year) are either artificially inseminated or confined to racks to breed with a male pig.
The environmental impact of pig farming is mainly driven by the spread of feces and waste to surrounding neighborhoods, polluting air and water with toxic waste particles. Waste from pig farms can carry pathogens, bacteria (often antibiotic resistant), and heavy metals that can be toxic when ingested.
In commercial pig production systems, piglets are frequently removed from their mothers when they are less than 4 weeks of age, although in some welfare friendly systems, such as organic farming, they are frequently left with their mothers until they are 8 weeks.
In nature, or in free-range husbandry systems, the piglets stay with the sow until they are about three months old. Although piglets rely on breast milk for the first seven weeks, they start eating solid foods and drink water in the second week.
In the Chinese zodiac, the pig represents fortune,
happiness, and honesty.
Chickens are social animals with hierarchies that enjoy the company of their flock. This social structure is known as the pecking order and they know their place & role in this order. Individual chickens also have distinct personalities shown by their behavior. They are so much fun.
Turkeys are social butterflies. Turkeys love greeting visitors, making new friends, and being around others. They can even recognize human faces. Every time I go to a farm with turkeys, the females come visit me and the males show off their fancy feathers. At my last visit to Heartwood Haven, a male turkey actually DANCED for me. FOR REAL!
Turkeys looove greeting visitors, making new friends, and being around others. They can even recognize human faces!
Just a couple of gals having a walk and a chat.
This is Ruby! Ruby is a Kune Kune pig. Ruby was sat on as a young piglet and never received veterinary care for her injuries. She had a difficult and painful time walking. Ruby has been working hard to walk again and getting really good at it. Ruby also loves swimming. Ruby is often seen swimming in the duck ponds on a hot day.
