The Piggies
Each of the 50 residents at Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary in Parksville has a unique personality, a smile and sometimes a bit of sass. What they share is that each was a rescue animal who arrived because, for one reason or another, life dealt them a hard hand.
Todd Friedman, founder of the sanctuary, wanted to fix that. Thanks to Arthur, and a bevy of good humans, he is.
Meet Arthur
After years of volunteering for other animal rescue operations, Todd came to the Catskills in 2018 searching for land where he could start his own. What he found was a decrepit farm he described as a “former backyard slaughterhouse.” In the middle of the mess was a tiny, very unhealthy piglet locked in a pen. That was Arthur. Every day since, Arthur has been sharing his love with all who visit the acres.
“This is a place of joy,” Todd says. “I’ve never had someone leave the sanctuary without being positively impacted in some way. Once you make a true connection with an animal, especially a pig, it changes your life forever.”
Which is exactly what Arthur did for Todd. And what they now do for others.
The Bigs & the Littles
Like Arthur, who Todd describes as the most genuinely kind soul he has ever met, every resident has a story, a personality and a natural warmth that makes visitors melt at first meeting.
- Joy. Despite being burned with chemicals when she and her sister Wren were used for lab testing, Joy’s name suits her perfectly. She is the first to greet and welcome new rescues. Joy is currently at Cornell University Hospital for Animals being treated for a hoof injury. Send her healing vibes.
- Harlene Rita. Born a 1.7-pound runt, Harlene Rita may only weigh around 80 pounds today, but she carries herself like an 800-pound queen and makes a grand entrance every time visitors are near.
- Paulie Walnuts & Rosie. Paulie is a big fella who is sweet on Rosie. Like a couple married for 50 years, they spend every moment together.
- Stanley. New to the neighborhood as of December 2025, Stanley came from a place of literal darkness, having never seen daylight until he arrived by airplane at Arthur’s Acres.
- Petey. Ever meet a pig that purrs? Neither had Todd until Petey came along. He lets out a soft squeak every time he hears his name, holds the title of “#1 snuggler” on the acres and loves a good bedtime story.
An Island of Joy
If you can make it to Parksville, come prepared. That’s what happened to Rebecca Bose, who lives an hour and a half away but now drives out every Monday, often with a car full of produce for her friends.
“Everything I do now is for and because of animals,” says Rebecca, who discovered the sanctuary on social media in 2018, fell in love instantly and has not looked back since.
“I can’t imagine my life without Arthur’s Acres. There’s an honest giddiness I feel on my drive every Monday. As soon as I see the white dove at the entrance, every one of life’s worries disappears. It’s an island of joy.”
A Kunekune pig owner herself, Rebecca eventually joined the sanctuary’s board of directors. Her husband, Chris Evers, founder of Animal Embassy, has physically flown three pigs to Parksville this year alone.
“Rebecca is an angel,” says Todd. “In a short time, she’s dedicated so much of her life to these animals.”
For Rebecca, the feeling is mutual. Arthur and his friends keep her laughing.
“Each animal just wants the world to know who they are,” she says. “Most of the time they express that through love, but so many other times it comes out as laughter. There’s a magic in that.”
Meet the Pigs. Support the Acres.
The best way to experience the magic is to show up. Tours must be booked in advance, run about 90 minutes, and include a personal introduction to the residents, time in the pastures and barns and conversations about animal care, food systems and what a “teacup pig” actually grows into. School groups, youth programs and camps are warmly welcome. Virtual tours with Todd are also available for classrooms that cannot make the trip.
Beyond a visit, there are many ways to stay connected: sponsor a pig, join the sustaining donor village, volunteer your hands or your skills or simply follow along on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Every share has a chance of saving a life.
One thing Todd wants every visitor to know: “Arthur’s Acres is a place of welcome. If you’ve got a passion for animals, we have a way you can help. This is a place where everyone makes a difference.”
It is also a place where everyone feels the love. That is what Arthur taught Todd. And what Kooney Kooney does for Rebecca every single week.
What can Arthur’s Acres do for you? You never know. It might just be Pool Day.
Yes, pigs love pools. You’re welcome.