Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary

06/07/2026

She wasn't supposed to make this journey alone. 💔

Next weekend, we'll be welcoming Sophia (Left) to Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary.

Originally, Sophia was supposed to make the trip with her best friend, Blanche (Right). The two girls were surrendered together to Chicken Butt Microsanctuary after surviving a dog attack. Through recovery, uncertainty, and change, they had each other.

Then, just as Sophia's next chapter was beginning, Blanche's came to an end. Blanche recently crossed over after a mass in her abdomen was determined to be cancer.

I've never met Blanche, but I was already looking forward to welcoming her home. I had imagined her settling into sanctuary life alongside Sophia, exploring new spaces, making new friends, and finally getting the chance to simply be a chicken. Now, that future won't happen.

Sophia is still recovering herself. She recently underwent surgery related to her injuries from the dog attack and is continuing her healing journey. We are hopeful her recovery will continue to go well so she can safely make the trip to Haven Hill next weekend.

And while it's easy to think of animals as simply adapting and moving on, chickens form meaningful social bonds. Sophia isn't just leaving one home for another. She's leaving without the friend who has been by her side through every recent chapter of her life.

First came the trauma of the attack. Then the transition to sanctuary. Then surgery and recovery. Then the loss of her best friend. Now comes another transition.

The good news is that Sophia will arrive here to be with other individuals who understand loss, resilience, and second chances. We hope, in time, she'll form new friendships and discover that her story is still unfolding.

And while Blanche will never physically arrive at Haven Hill, she will still be part of our sanctuary family.

Like all those we remember, Blanche will receive her own memorial wind chime. It will hang on the house where Sophia lives, so on breezy North Dakota days, the sound of her friend will never feel too far away.

Please help us welcome Sophia. Send her healing thoughts, and remember Blanche. 💚

06/06/2026

🚚🏡 These two don't know it yet, but they're moving to North Dakota next week.

These handsome best friends will be making the journey to Haven Hill, where they'll join our bachelor flock and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Of course, every Haven Hill resident needs a name... And these boys will be no exception. 👀

Any guesses what their names might be?

Drop your best guesses in the comments, and we'll reveal their official names after they arrive. 💚🐓🐓

06/05/2026

The most successful marketing campaign in history might be convincing people that a production system is the same thing as the circle of life.

I've lost count of how many times I've been told that what happens to farmed animals is simply "the circle of life."

It's used to justify breeding them, using them, and killing them. As though questioning it means questioning nature itself.

But the circle of life is being born, growing, living and eventually dying. What happens to most farmed animals isn't simply life taking its natural course.

They are intentionally brought into existence. Their reproduction is controlled. Their lives are managed around human goals. And their fate is often decided before they are even born.

We've repeated the phrase "it's the circle of life" so often that many people no longer stop to think about what it actually means.

The circle of life ends with death. It doesn't begin with a planned one.

06/04/2026

Ricki Would Like to File a Formal Complaint

Ricki was found with an injury to her side that we believe was accidentally caused during normal rooster-hen interactions.

She's currently receiving medication, wound care, and enough bandage changes to make it very clear that she does not approve of our life choices.

While injuries like this are always concerning and can become complicated by infection, Ricki is receiving treatment and being monitored closely. Right now, we're encouraged by the fact that she continues to act very much like herself.

She's eating (although she seems to be a bit selective about what makes the approved menu), and she's made it very clear that corn remains on the list of approved foods. She's interested in treats, and she's made her feelings about treatment known to absolutely everyone involved.

She's currently recovering close to us where we can closely monitor her healing. Unfortunately, Ricki is not entirely committed to the concept of "rest." Seeing her flock tends to get her excited, and that excitement has occasionally resulted in bandages coming loose and additional re-wrapping sessions. Ricki disagrees with this arrangement.

To be fair, Ricki is not typically a hen who goes around biting people. However, she does have strong feelings about being restrained, medicated, bandaged, examined, or otherwise having what she considers to be her personal rights violated.

During her veterinary visit, she spent a good portion of the appointment expressing those feelings to anyone within reach of her beak. The veterinary team commented on how feisty she was, and honestly, we were grateful to see it.

A spunky chicken with opinions is often much more reassuring than a chicken who has stopped expressing them.

For now, we'll continue monitoring her closely, administering medications, changing bandages, and doing our best to stay one step ahead of her efforts to remove those bandages herself.

We're also incredibly grateful to have access to veterinary care for chickens. Every animal deserves medical care when they're sick or injured, and we're fortunate to have a veterinarian willing to help residents like Ricki when they need it most.

Leave a 💚 or a get-well message for Ricki in the comments, and we'll be sure to pass along all the love to our spicy little patient.

06/03/2026

AHEM. Mario has a VERY important announcement!

✨ IT'S OFFICIAL: Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3)! ✨

Honestly, I don't even know where to begin.

There were forms. There was paperwork.
There were meetings. There were questions.

There were early mornings, late nights, vet visits, animal care, full-time jobs, sanctuary chores, and somehow trying to fit nonprofit paperwork into all the spaces in between.

And yet... here we are. Officially. We did it!

This moment belongs to so many people. To our followers, our donors, our cheerleaders, our late-night message senders, our "just checking in" friends — thank you.

Every share mattered. Every comment mattered. Every donation mattered. Every encouraging message mattered. You helped build this.

And to our Board of Directors: THANK YOU!

You believed in Haven Hill before there was an IRS determination letter. Before there was official recognition. Before there was anything to show except a vision, a lot of determination, and a deep belief that farmed animals deserve better.

Thank you for your time, your guidance, your thoughtful questions, your willingness to review documents, attend meetings, offer feedback, and help shape this organization along the way.

Starting a nonprofit is not a solo endeavor. It takes people willing to invest their energy, expertise, and trust into something bigger than themselves. Thank you for helping turn an idea into an organization and a dream into something real. This achievement belongs to you, too.

And a very special thank-you to the Sanctuary Spouse— who has contributed a truly impressive amount of blood, sweat, heavy lifting, fixing things, hauling things, building things, moving things, and listening to me say "one more thing" approximately 47,000 times.
This sanctuary would not exist without that support.

Most importantly, thank you to every person who has looked at an animal and seen an individual instead of a commodity.

Every person who believed chickens deserve veterinary care. Every person who believed farmed animals deserve safety. Every person who believed their lives have value beyond what they can produce. This milestone belongs to you, too.

And of course, it belongs to the animals.
The ones who are here. The ones we've loved and lost. The ones we'll help in the future.

They are the reason every form was filled out.
Every obstacle was tackled. Every setback was overcome.

✨ And this? This is just the beginning. More rescues. More advocacy. More education. More compassion. More second chances.

Today, we're celebrating. Tomorrow, we'll get back to work. Because there are still animals out there who need us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping make this dream a reality.

WE DID IT! 💚🐓🎉

💚 This milestone belongs to all of us. Leave a 🎉 for the celebration, a 💚 for the animals, or tell us where you're cheering Haven Hill on from today.

06/02/2026

Every year on Earth Day, we celebrate the planet. This year, you helped some of its most overlooked inhabitants.

Thank you to everyone who supported Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary through our Earth Day fundraiser.

Farmed animals are among the most forgotten animals in our world. Most are never given the chance to grow old. They’re rarely seen as individuals with their own personalities, friendships, fears, and favorite things. Their lives are often measured by what they can produce rather than who they are.

Your support helps change that.

The herbs and plants you helped provide may seem like a small thing, but to the animals, they’re another chance to explore, forage, snack, and experience something new. Moments like these are what sanctuary is all about—not just surviving, but truly living.
Because of your generosity, animals who were never supposed to have a future get one.

Every donation, no matter the size, is a statement that these animals matter. That their lives have value. That they are worthy of compassion, not because of what they can give us, but because they are here.

From all of us at Haven Hill Animal Sanctuary—and from the animals whose lives you’re helping change—thank you. ❤️🌎🐔🌿

06/01/2026

Update From Chicken Butt Microsanctuary:

Today we said goodbye to Blanche.

After yesterday's emergency veterinary visit, we took Blanche to our trusted avian veterinarian for further evaluation. Unfortunately, what initially appeared to be retained egg material was actually a large mass, most likely ovarian cancer. The mass had grown so large that it was pressing on her internal organs and causing increasing discomfort.

After discussing her condition and prognosis with our veterinary team, CBM board members, Jordana at Haven Hill (who was going to adopt her), and Audrey, her original caregiver, we made the difficult decision to euthanize Blanche to prevent further suffering.

This is the hardest part of sanctuary work. We rescue animals because we want to give them safety, comfort, and the chance to experience a happy life. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we cannot save them. The final act of care we can offer is a peaceful goodbye.

We are heartbroken. We are sad for Blanche, who deserved so much more time. We are sad for Sophia, who is recovering from surgery and now faces life without her best friend by her side. We're all just so sad. Blanche's time in sanctuary was far too short.

But we are also grateful.

Because of your support, Blanche received immediate vet care and compassionate treatment when she needed it most. Your donations made it possible for us to seek answers, relieve her suffering, and ensure that her final days were spent surrounded by people who cared deeply for her.

While we could not change the outcome, we could make sure she was loved, protected, and treated with dignity.

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared kind words, and helped us care for Blanche. Every contribution allows us to continue rescuing chickens in need and to be there for them through both the joyful moments and the heartbreaking ones.

Rest easy, sweet Blanche. You were loved, and you will be missed.
———————————-
Behind every sanctuary photo is a reality most people never see.

The emergency vet visits. The worry. The waiting. The unexpected costs that come with fighting for a life usually overlooked.

Today, it's Blanche.

Blanche is one of the hens who will be joining Haven Hill later this month. She's currently receiving emergency veterinary care, and we'd be incredibly grateful for any support.

If you're able to donate, please consider supporting her care through the original post below. If donating isn't possible right now, you can still help by sharing this post or Chicken Butt Microsanctuary original post. Commenting and reacting on either post can also help more people see Blanche's story and make a huge difference too. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BJgZwBudP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Blanche is at the emergency vet today

Many of you may remember Sophia, one of the hens surrendered to me after surviving a dog attack before they came into my care. Blanche came from that same situation and is Sophia's best friend.

Since the attack on May 17, Blanche hasn't laid an egg. Over the last few days, her abdomen became enlarged, and despite supportive care at home, including warm soaks, lubrication, and Meloxicam, her condition continued to worsen.

We're now at the emergency vet, and they've confirmed that she is egg-bound. We're waiting to see whether they can safely help her pass the egg and what additional treatment she may need.

We are still recovering from Sophia's surgery and treatment costs from the dog attack, and another emergency veterinary bill so soon is a lot for our small sanctuary.

I hate having to ask for help again, especially so soon after the last emergency.

If you'd like to help with Blanche's veterinary care, donations can be made through:

https://account.venmo.com/u/Amy-Leinen

https://www.paypal.me/VeganScavengerHunt

https://www.patreon.com/ChickenButtMicrosanctuary

05/30/2026

“Born to die.”

For most farmed animals, that isn’t poetic. It’s literal.

They’re brought into the world with an ending already decided for them. Their worth measured by what their bodies can produce, how fast they grow, or how profitable they become.

At sanctuary, we offer something different: a life that isn’t centered around what can be taken from them.

A chance to rest in the sun. To form bonds.
To feel safe. To exist as someone instead of something.

Because they were never supposed to grow old. Never supposed to be loved. Never supposed to live long enough for anyone to know who they really are.

And somehow, in a world where being born for death is considered normal, the “strange” thing is letting them keep their lives.

If you believe animals deserve more than a life designed around their deaths, leave a ❤️ for the ones finally getting the chance to truly live.

05/28/2026

Update from Chicken Butt Microsanctuary:
“She survived surgery! However, the necrotic material was far more extensive than initially thought, and she has pockets (separation of muscle from skin) in a large area, going down her leg. She's on strong antibiotics, hoping she's not septic, a cone, drainage tube, etc. I'll pick her up this evening. Thank you for keeping Sophia in your thoughts!”

Sometimes survival comes with a surgery bill.

Today, Sophia will undergo surgery to remove damaged tissue after being injured by a family dog.Chicken Butt Microsanctuary has been providing her care and will be helping her through recovery.

After the attack, their family made the difficult decision that sanctuary placement would be the safest and best path forward for them.

Later this June, Sophia will be making the trip here to sanctuary alongside Blanche, another survivor from the same home, and Turtle, a hen rescued from a separate attack.

Three girls whose lives changed in an instant.
Three girls now getting a chance to heal.

If you’d like to help support Sophia’s surgery and continued care, please consider donating through the shared post below. And even if donating isn’t possible right now, reacting, commenting, and sharing can help this post reach more people.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if this sweet girl woke up from surgery to a fully covered bill? ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19nfSTpRn1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/28/2026

She looked at me like she was asking if I was finally going to help her.

By the time we found Libby, she had reportedly been living outside a business for a week “or so”.

Just existing there. Waiting. Still a baby. Surviving however she could. No safe place to sleep. No flock. No one coming for her.

And maybe the part that hurts the most is how ordinary that became to everyone around her.

People drove past. Walked past. Went to work. Went home. Meanwhile, she was out there alone in a place where even the trees are scarce.

When we arrived, I brought a net because I assumed she’d be terrified of people after everything she’d been through.

But Libby didn’t run. She walked right up to us. Like she had been waiting for someone to finally stop and help. And honestly, I still think about that all the time.

Because animals don’t stop needing kindness just because the world gets used to ignoring them.