Arthur’s sanctuary a ‘healing place’

Liberty farm with a rescue mission

By Jack Dusenbury-Dalto | Manor Ink

Liberty, NY – “Some call it luck, we like to call it fate. What was supposed to be a simple property walk-through turned into a rescue mission like no other.” This is how Todd Friedman of Arthur’s Acres sums up his home, business and life’s work at this peaceful sanctuary tucked into a quiet back road near Liberty. Manor Ink visited Friedman, his volunteers and all the pigs, chickens and other animals at Arthur’s Acres to hear his story.

On a hot afternoon in the summer of 2018, Friedman and a friend looked at a property for sale, hoping the place would fit the bill for his dream of creating a farm animal sanctuary. “Upon  arrival, we found out from the agent that the property had been used as a small-scale farm-to-table type facility,” he said. Pigs, goats and other small animals had been raised and then slaughtered right there on the property. Like a real-life horror show, the property immediately showed its dark side.”We began opening doors and came across remains of animals, dead and decomposing birds, cutting tools and bone saws,” Friedman said. “Blood stained the walls, and the windows were barricaded, letting in no light. The smell of death and urine was so great in some areas it was overwhelming. A deep chill went through me. So deep, I shuddered at the thought of the property’s awful past.” 

The agent mentioned that there might be some animals still on the property, and Friedman soon found a baby pig locked in a stall. It was at that moment that Arthur’s Acres was born, and Friedman later named the abandoned baby pig Arthur.

“We needed to turn the place from a killing place to a healing place,” he said.

The stated mission of Arthur’s Acres is to rescue those animals that have been abused, exploited or discarded; to rehabilitate them through patience, love and respect; and to educate visitors about leading a cruelty-free life through daily choices. 

Since that time, the sanctuary has grown, adding buildings, shelters and enclosures,  through Friedman’s hard work and that of many dedicated volunteers. It currently serves as a happy home to approximately 80 animals – 43 pigs, numerous chickens and roosters, two dogs and six cats. Volunteers are an integral part of keeping the sanctuary going. “From time to time, we will hold special volunteer days for activities like painting barns and fences,” said Todd. 

The pigs come from medical testing labs, are rescued from slaughter houses, or have suffered neglect by owners who thought they were buying miniature pigs and could not care for them as they grew. Most arrive in dire need of expensive and necessary medical care. The staff has learned to do much of the animals’ daily upkeep, and even use a big lift to hold up the pigs for regular hoof trimming. 

Fundraising is crucial to the mission and future of Arthur’s Acres. Money to keep the sanctuary going and to continue helping animals in need is raised through sales of merchandise and through  animal sponsorship. If you would like to show your support, visit arthursacresanimalsanctuary.org to donate, visit or volunteer.