Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary drew sunshine and visitors to its third annual fall farm festival Saturday in Byron. The event was a fundraiser to raise awareness about the farm's efforts to provide a safe haven for rescued animals and serve as a financial support for medical expenses and hay to feed the animals into the next cold winter season.
As founder Jonell Chudyk and volunteers prepare for the annual Fall Festival at Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary this Saturday, they are doing so with eagerness for newcomers to visit the farm and 47 rescued occupants — from ducks and chickens to donkeys, cows and pigs — while also with heavy hearts about loss in the way any animal lover would.
“Mockingbird has suffered the loss of three beloved senior animals this fall; we are devastated,” Chudyk says. “We haven’t had a death all year, and then we had three. We’re really struggling.”
Although they were senior animals, the lives of Sid, Lucy and Ferris were treated with utmost care and respect. They were overseen by a veterinarian and tested, diagnosed and treated with the expertise of Cornell University and thousands of dollars as part of extraordinary measures taken within the guardianship that Mockingbird vows to provide for each and every creature under its roof.
In the end, they died of terminal cancer, an unbeatable foe. But this isn’t about the ending; it’s about how it all began for one of these characters — Sid the goat — who liked to hobnob with his furry friends as his personality and reputation grew ever more endearing on the farm.
How it all began Chudyk was alerted to Sophie, a Holstein cow found in a field all by herself a few years back, and went to get her and bring her back to the farm. While there, Chudyk saw another cow and a goat nearby and asked, “What about these guys?”
“The neighbors were like, well, the woman who lived next door and actually initially rescued these animals, she fell on hard times. Her home was a foreclosure and she was not allowed to come back onto the property. So the neighbors promised that they would do their best to take care of these three," Chudyk said. "But that turned into they had no shelter, no consistent food, no consistent water. So the neighbors really loved Rem and said they had plans of moving them onto their property. So we took Sophie that day in a blizzard. She was the first to get here. That was in 2018."
As time progressed “We stayed in contact with the neighbors and I said, I'd really love to reunite this family if and whenever there comes a time. So if you guys ever get to the point where Rem needs to move, we will always take them. We will always keep space,” she said. “So a couple years later, I think it was 2021, they called, and they said, unfortunately, we have to move. Will you take them? Absolutely. So we brought them home. And when Sophie saw, especially Sid, I sobbed. We all sobbed. It was Sid, at this point he was 15 or 16. He jumped like four feet in the air. I have a picture of it. He was so happy, and they were running around the pasture like, oh my God, my family, we’re back together.”
And for the next four years, they’ve been a family on the farm, especially Rem, the doe-eyed Jersey cow and Sid the Goat. Chudyk eventually learned that since those two had no stable shelter, Sid would wear Rem as his winter coat, in a manner of speaking, to keep warm. The two were inseparable buddies with a perceptible bond, she said.
Lessons of survival, sharing “Sid learned to survive by crawling next to Rem and pressing himself up next to Rem for body heat. He would walk right over, and he would press himself up against Rem and tuck his head under his neck and soak up all of his body heat, and then eventually lay down next to him every single night, especially in the winter,” she said. “So I started documenting this, just because it was adorable, and when Sid was (nearly) 18, things were not going well … and we knew it might not be long, so I made one video on TikTok (see video below) that explains this story, this love story, and it blew up.
“The next day I had hundreds of messages from social media influencers and everybody from animal rights organizations who wanted to share this story and they did,” she said. “And then we had this wild Rem and Sid following, and I would go live and would post videos of them snuggling at night with Rem’s or Sid’s coat on. Like every night they would just be, it’s precious. It’s just unbelievable.”
The two were super close, she said, and were never without one another. And that closeness translated through the video and across social media to viewers’ hearts. They had at least 10 million views and counting, from the United States and abroad, including England, Germany and the Netherlands.
Remembering a friend to the end Jonell and volunteers wanted to respect Sid’s life every step of the way, including when he entered palliative care. That meant allowing his best friend to be there with him, to touch noses when Sid was on an IV for his nutrition, and after he laid down for his final nap.
After Sid died, his fellow mates, cows River and Cici, visited him first in his bed, and Cici bellowed a knowing grief, Chudyk said. Rem came in next and sniffed at Sid and began to drool a lot, which, according to behavioral studies, indicates emotional distress, she said.
“Rem was just drooling and was just soaking it in, and he knew he was gone, and then he walked away, and then he came back,” she said.
“Sophie came in, and I’ve never seen that look on her face, and her eyes got huge, and she sniffed him from hoof to head, and then she looked in his little bedroom, like, is he in there? And then she was drooling and drooling and drooling, and she just stood there,” Chudyk, a licensed therapist, said. “The feeling in that barn was so palpable. I mean, you cannot deny the animals don’t feel these things. And we’ve all been worried about how Rem would do. Thank God he’s got the other cows and Sophie because they have not left each other’s side.
“Sid was a goat, he couldn’t be out in the beating sun with the cows laying, he had to take care of himself as an old man, so he would sometimes come into the barn to get some shade. And Rem would always kind of just check on him and make sure he was good. But now Rem lays out in the sunshine with the cows, and they’re all four of them just are together all the time,” Chudyk said. “And there is a very deep heaviness of loss on the farm, especially with all three being gone. But Sid was genuinely larger than life, he was the sweetest goat on the planet. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, he would come up to every single person and rub his head on you and he was so kind and gentle, but also so sassy. He was Houdini, he could break out of anything. But just never wanted to be without Rem.”
As hard as it was to talk about the mighty duo, she wanted to share not only their real life tale of survival and overcoming hardship together despite the obstacles, a separation and unlikely pairing, but also the message that shines through it all.
Grieve, and tell the happy stories “I guess I think that at a time when it feels like we as the human species, we're so polarized, and maybe feel like we have very little in common with one another like this, to this story of unlikely friends, like big and small and two different species have kind of, all on their own, shown the whole world how beautiful compassion for one another can be. And I think we really all need that right now,” she said. “And grief is a natural part of life, but supporting one another through that and reaching out to others and crying and telling happy stories, I mean, I still can't look at pictures of them, but yeah, I think at the end of the day, this is just one of a million stories we have here at the farm like this of these bonds. But this one in particular really hit the world.”
This year’s third annual Fall at the Farm Festival and Fundraiser is from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at 5978 Upper Holley Road, Byron. The farm’s goal is $10,000 to cover medical expenses and winter hay for what has been “the most unimaginable heartbreaking month,” she said, so everyone is pulling together for what they hope to be the biggest festival ever.
Visitors can see Rem and his friends, buy some fresh produce snacks for the animals, get a walking farm tour, and shop at the barnyard sale stocked with some “seriously amazing” items and 26 vendors. There will also be a pumpkin patch, raffle baskets, live music, lots of children’s games and activities, a scavenger hunt, three vegan food vendors and a coffee stand, giveaways, face painting, temporary tattoos and a kids craft table.
Suggested donation of $10 at the door includes 10 raffle tickets.
Animal lovers took in the eclipse Monday at Mockingbird Farm Animal Sanctuary in Byron.
Jonell and Joe Chudyk, and Jon Tedd founded the livestock rescue farm. They care for more than 40 rescue animals and birds.
The event on Monday drew visitors from New York City, New Jersey, Binghamton and Ithaca.
Ben Strothmann (aka Honey LaBronx, The Vegan Drag Queen) from Manhattan, who has performed at fundraisers for Mockingbird Farms, made the trip, saying it was "kismet" when he saw that a charity he supports was in the path of totality and was hosting a special eclipse event.
While awaiting the eclipse, visitors could pet livestock, play lawn games, get tarot card readings, and read about eclipses.
The event was coordinated with the Wounded Warrior Project.
Genny the cow, in a field near her barn, looked up at the sun over Genesee Farm. While the pig rolled in the mud and the horse pranced nearby, Genny just stood there, transfixed by the sky. What are you wearing? The dog asked with a bark. “I need these safe glasses until it gets dark.”
If you have already purchased your copy of “Genny Sees The Eclipse,” this charming introduction will be familiar, as it leads the way, along with a bunch of whimsical animals, to learn more about a total eclipse that’s nearing our world right on April 8, 2024, right here in Genesee County.
As for the cow, horse, pig, dog, and many other creatures that will also need some help to understand why it has suddenly gone dark in the middle of the day, at least four local rescues — all of which will benefit from the sales of this book — will be there for their occupants’ once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Volunteers For Animals is a longtime nonprofit staple based in the Genesee County Animal Shelter at 3841 W. Main Street Road in Batavia. Vice President Shanna Shaw, who says that her more prominent role of late is as kitten coordinator due to so many pregnant cats in the community, acknowledged the heavy and constant need for both cats and dogs, but with a special emphasis on felines at the moment.
“There are about 40 cats and kittens in the foster care system,” she said. “Resources are always needed, people coming to help clean is a need. So it's just a matter of cleaning, feeding, caring for the animals, and doing the daily operations that you need just to get started for the day. We need people to come and help with cleaning and feeding the animals, scooping litter pans, and exercising the dogs, that in the morning seems to be we're having challenges with keeping up with that,” she said. “And then just like the typical supplies like bleach and laundry soap for a high energy machine. We probably do seven or nine loads of laundry a day. So we go through a lot of that. Clay cat litter is always welcome, as well as canned dog food. So those are some of the things usually on our wish list. But you know, having more people willing to come in and clean is one of our more immediate needs.”
Actually, human hands to help out is a need at each one of these shelters. And as for the book fundraiser, monetary proceeds will go toward the animals’ medical needs and/or a spay and neuter program to help reduce the animal population and even more unwanted four-leggeds.
Shaw talked about Loki, a cat who came to the shelter pregnant with six babies. One of them did not survive, and another has been adopted. Four of her kittens are now up for adoption and just waiting to be taken into a warm, snuggly home.
If you are interested in volunteering, call 585-343-6410, Ext. 7, and ask to speak with Animal Control Officer Catherine Seward or Sarah Fountain. For more information about the animals or shelter, go to vol4animals.org.
On the other side of the county with four-leggeds just a little bit bigger and taller — well, a whole lot bigger, heavier and taller — is Maryland, a Haven For Horses, at 8132 W. Bergen Road in Le Roy.
The nonprofit is Founder Maryanne Arena’s dream come true, and it “promises horses a safe and dignified retirement after racing,” she said.
“What makes MaryLand different is that we do not rehome,” she said. “Once a horse is accepted here, it will live out its natural life on the farm. We had 10 horses, but we were able to reunite an original owner with two of her former racehorses. We have two slots open and had hoped to fill two stalls for Christmas, but we need help.
“Our horses are stabled and it costs a great deal of money to stable horses during the winter months. We are constantly fundraising,” she said. “The money will definitely go to the care and maintenance of the horses, and fencing repair, and the goal is to fill the two stalls.”
The money raised from book sales will go toward giving two Standardbred horses “a safe home for life.” For more information, go to marylandhorsehaven.org.
Just to the northwest of that is Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary at 5978 Upper Holley Road In Byron.
Jonell Chudyk co-founded the nonprofit with Jon Tedd to provide, as the name implies, a sanctuary for creatures of all various types, with a compassionate heart and loving touch for their ultimate comfort through the remainder of their lives.
From Ferris and Forest to Barnaby, Anne and Gilbert, the goats, miniature donkeys, pigs, chickens, cows, geese and others that have a comfy niche carved out on the Upper Holley Road property, they have what Chudyk believes is a mutually beneficial and responsive relationship with their human caretakers in this corner of a world of kindness.
None of it happens without cost, both time and money, it takes $6,000 a month to care for the animals, with vast amounts of hours of cleaning, feeding and caring for the sanctuary animals, Chudyk has said.
The farm has two holiday wish lists at Chewy and Amazon and has an ongoing goal this year to raise $15,000 to buy hay for the winter season. Volunteers are always a need for the daily care — scrubbing and filling bowls and buckets with food and water, cleaning their beds, providing for medical needs, and other such tasks, while also enjoying the critters’ individual personalities, of course.
“Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary embodies true peace and sanctuary for the living beings in our company,” the co-founders say.
For more information, go to mockingbirdfarmny.com.
Cherry Hill Farm Sanctuary, at 2514 Genesee St., Corfu, began as a refuge for senior horses that were discarded after years of work.
“Over the years, we have grown. We now take in a multitude of farm animals, including goats and fowl, but our focus is senior workhorses, founder Pam Harmon said.
“Currently, the farm is working to add a goat barn that will move our goat herd from the horse barns to their own space. As we have grown, taking in animals other than the horses has been challenging. We are hoping to divide up our indoor space so that it is easier to turn out horses and not need to move our entire goat herd to do so,” Harmon said. “Along with that challenge, winter is always a challenge with senior animals. The horses are moved off the big pastures and turned in at night. Several have special dietary requirements due to lack of teeth, and the cold makes it harder to do our everyday chores.”
The money raised from the book will be used to help update some of the farm’s fencing for the blind horse herd, which includes Jerrit, an elderly Belgian who has no eyes. Blindness is not a rarity on the farm, as there are several blind draft horses there — “it is one of our soft spots,” she said.
“We currently have three draft horses that are fully blind. Jerrit an elderly Belgian, had his remaining eye removed due to cancer. He was our first draft horse that we took on that had a missing eye,” she said. “We quickly learned that even though he was missing an eye, it did not hinder him from doing everything a horse should be able to do.”
For years, Jerrit was the leader of the sanctuary’s large herd, but a few years ago, Jerrit started showing signs of cancer in his remaining eye. It quickly progressed, and he had to have his remaining eye removed. “This was not an easy decision for us, we wanted to make sure Jerrit could still have a good quality of life without his eyes,” she said. “We decided that we would take the chance, and if Jerrit did not acclimate to his new life, then we would have him humanely euthanized.
“He has proved to us that a horse without any eyes can still enjoy their life. We have modified a pasture for his needs, and up until this year, he lived with Bess, who never left his side. Bess passed this Fall, and we have been working towards finding another companion from the herds for Jerrit,” she said. “Fletcher and Jake suffered from accidents while in work that left them blind; they came to CHFS this Fall. We also have NaLady and Callie, who have had one eye removed due to cancer.”
For more information, go to cherryhillsanctuary.org.
On nights in the stalls when the grand calves won’t sleep, to help them drift off, Genny doesn’t count sheep. She tells them again of the glorious sight: the eclipse, when the moon turned the day into night.
To get your copies of this limited edition children’s book — perhaps for a Christmas, holiday or simply as a commemorative gift while also helping out these rescue organizations — go to the Chamber office at 8276 Park Road in Batavia or online at https://shop.geneseetheeclipse.com. You can save on shipping costs by picking it up at the Chamber Visitor Center.
Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Fall at the Farm Festival on Saturday, October 7 from 1 - 6 p.m. The sanctuary grounds are located at 5978 Upper Holley Rd, Byron. The suggested donation for admission is $10/person to help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 to stock our winter hay supply.
The festival will bring together local vendors featuring everything from artwork to a plant truck. Farm Fest attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase and taste a wide variety of local vegan food from vendors including Grass Fed Rochester, New Ethic Pizzeria & Cafe, Isotope Ice Cream and Desserts, and more.
Visitors will enjoy complimentary family-friendly activities like face painting, crafts and games, live music, and more. In addition to a donation-based pumpkin patch, there will be giveaways and a raffle. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet some of the 52 animals by taking a self-guided walking tour of the farm. Last year’s festival drew hundreds of attendees.
For more information about attending as a member of the media, please send an email to Mockingbirdfarmny@gmail.com. We hope to see you at the festival!