Loads of sites come up in my feed. Some I scroll through, others I block and a few catch my interest and I click through to their page. I’ve profiled several rescue groups for my blog: in England, Australia and the USA.
This is my eight profile of chicken rescues. From experience I know that folks running a rescue are busy 24/7 and don’t have a lot of spare time. I suggested that I scroll through their Facebook page to see what I could use. The Blind Spot deals with a variety of species: goats, pigs and poultry. Due to the focus of my blog I only selected stories relating to the latter.
Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary is a haven of hope for neglected, abused and homeless farm animals. As a plant-based 501(c)(3) charity, we provide lifelong, loving care to those who have been abandoned, surrendered, or exploited—giving them the second chance they deserve.
Our 41-acre sanctuary is more than just a refuge; it’s a place of healing and transformation. We rescue, rehabilitate, and nurture animals that are too often overlooked due to their species, age, color, or disabilities. For those ready for a new beginning, we work tirelessly to place them in safe, forever homes.
With expansive land and dedicated hearts, we ensure that every animal – whether farm or domestic – finds the peace, dignity and kindness they were once denied. At Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, every life matters.
In a world too often filled with noise and chaos, this moment captures a quiet miracle, harmony among species, beauty in feathers, and dignity in every stride.
At the heart of the photo, a majestic black tom turkey, Peep, who fans his iridescent plumage in full display – proud, powerful, and unbothered. To his right, our gentle Abby. Behind them, a russet and white turkey, Oscar, who strolls peacefully, and watching from the distance stands an emu, Aphrodite, tall, regal, and serene.
Each of these animals came from different paths, but here they are, coexisting in peace, basking in the safety of sanctuary. They are not food. They are someone. And they are free.
This is what compassion looks like. This is why sanctuary matters.
Our Guinea hen friends gave us run for our money as they hid their nest very well! For the past several days we’ve been trying to figure out where they decided to create a nest this year. Kayla finally followed a few birds today and discovered the nest. Any guesses how many eggs they hid there? So relieved that the eggs were captured.
With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved Betty White, a gentle Cornish hen with an unbreakable spirit, has passed away.
Betty’s journey with us began in 2022, when a kind-hearted shelter director from Warren County Animal Control reached out with an urgent plea. A chicken had fallen off a transport truck on its way to slaughter, bruised, terrified, and clinging to life. That chicken was Betty White.
When she arrived, Betty was in pain, both physically and emotionally. She didn’t know what it meant to be touched with kindness. Every hand she had ever known had brought harm or fear. So we waited. Gave her space. Let her learn, on her own terms, that here, she was safe.
That first winter, still fragile and recovering, Betty stayed inside with Bucky and Minnie. She watched over Bucky as he healed, their gentle companionship helping them both mend in ways only animals understand. When spring arrived, Betty took her place among the flock and, for the first time in her life, got to simply be a chicken. She spent the next three years exploring the sunshine, scratching in the dirt, and resting in the barn. Three years of peace. Three years of knowing nothing but love, care and freedom.
Cornish chickens like Betty are genetically manipulated for meat, never meant to live long. But she defied the odds. She lived longer than anyone expected – long enough to feel truly at home. One quiet evening, Alex found her nestled in her stall, her body still, her spirit free.
We will miss her deeply – her quiet strength, her soft presence, the way she reminded us that every life matters.
In a bittersweet turn, the compassionate shelter director who helped save Betty also passed away, taken far too soon in a tragic car accident. We hope that somewhere, across that rainbow bridge, Betty has found her. That they’re together now – Betty telling her, how grateful we all are.
Rest gently, Betty White & Dani. You were deeply loved. You mattered. Until we meet again.
I’ve been searching for the right words all weekend. I didn’t want to come across as petty, but I do feel it’s important to share. Once again, farm animals were left in the blind spot.
Last week, Raleigh Animal Control responded to a report of neglected chickens. While conducting a welfare check, they uncovered a heartbreaking cruelty case – a puppy mill with over 100 animals suffering in silence. The dogs received immediate attention, as they should have. Their pain was real and they deserved every bit of the support and outrage that followed. But almost no one mentioned the chickens.
They were emaciated, injured, and in desperate need of help. And like so many times before, their suffering was ignored. We’re sadly used to this. Farm animals are often invisible in the eyes of the public. But we believe they deserve to be seen, to be valued, and to be saved.
Thankfully, Animal Control saw their suffering and rushed the most critical birds to us. We said yes because we always do when lives are on the line. Several more birds remain in the care of the staff who were horrified of their condition and jumped in to help. One disabled, another so severely neglected and wounded that she’ll need foot surgery.
Their physical condition was heartbreaking, but their emotional trauma was even more obvious. One blond hen, in particular, was in absolute distress.
These chickens had never known kindness or care. They didn’t recognize fruits, berries, or even scrambled eggs, favourites for our resident flock. They wandered aimlessly, lost in their small quarantine space which heartbreakingly is still larger than what they came from – all of them and many more birds were cramped in a fraction of the space they have now.
Watching them try to understand safety for the first time was gut-wrenching. We gave them the weekend to rest and gently introduced them to care, comfort and compassion. We didn’t want to stress them as their condition is very delicate, they are malnourished, sickly and just unwell. We offered gentle care, cleaned their space daily, and offered nutritious foods throughout the day. By Sunday, they began to understand. A nibble of a grape. A curious peck at a mealworm. A slow, cautious step toward us. On Monday, they no longer ran but looked with curiosity what snack we brought them this time. Healing will take time, but their journey has begun.
We can hardly wait for their vet appointment next week for the seven birds in our care and we’re extending that same medical support to three more birds recovering with Animal Control staff. They’ll be coming along for treatment too. Not because we’ve raised the funds but because it’s the right thing to do.
Thanks to the folks at The Blind Spot for sharing their story and photos, used with permission.
“Because every chicken deserves a comeback story.”
Bitchin' Chickens 
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