The simplest answer is that sanctuaries are a place of refuge where animals' needs come first. And that sounds great, but putting that into action is more complicated than it sounds. So, of course, we’re writing a blog about it. Inspired by Open Sanctuary and Microsanctuary Resource Center resources, we’re diving into what a sanctuary is… and what it’s not. “It’s about whether the organization maintains a culture, philosophy, and strict policies around compassionate care, and

What does it take to rescue chickens? It's a question we get often and it's the hardest to answer. The short version would go something like "Everything. It takes everything, plus some. It's like being responsible for 21 toddlers at once, but ones who can't speak your language." The long version is our operations manual. We first published our manual in 2021, and since then, it has undergone yearly revisions. As we've grown, we've improved and updated sections. It's a 24-page

The start of 2026 has been a whirlwind and we can hardly believe spring is already here. As we look back on the past three months, it's felt very much like a season of planting seeds. We've been making progress on our 2026 goals , with many underway! You may have noticed our website has been updated with a new section dedicated to learning . We also welcomed new animal care volunteers and a new board member , who have helped us work towards our mission. Our mission is to ins

Secondhand Stories' mission is to inspire compassion for chickens through rescue, advocacy, and education. This upcoming year, we have 15 big goals. We're dreaming bigger than we ever have before, but it's a dream we know we can make a reality with your support. Read on to learn more about what we have planned and what it will take to get there: Animal Care & Infrastructure Recruit & Train Caretakers: Successfully recruit and fully train 2-3 new animal caretakers (via Canad

Every year, billions of animals are killed for food. For most people, grasping what this means is incomprehensible, and the numbers become abstract. Farm sanctuaries play a crucial role in helping people connect with the individuals who have survived exploitation. Each of our twenty rescued chickens is a tangible reminder of the personalities hidden within the abstract statistics of animal agriculture. While it’s true that sanctuaries may not appear to “maximize lives saved

Rehoming a Chicken Secondhand Stories is at our capacity for compassionate care, and not able to accept any more rescues at this time. However, we would like to help how we can, so we have compiled this list of tips for rehoming chicken(s). Most requests we get are to accept surrendered roosters If a bylaw is preventing you from keeping your rooster please check out this link on how you can advocate to keep your chickens. If you have behaviour concerns, read this article on K

Reproductive illness is the leading cause of death in egg-laying hens. The single best medical therapy option for mitigating this risk is by having a hen implanted, which decreases reproductive productivity in chickens, giving their bodies a much-needed break. A hormonal implant is inserted under the skin, slowly releasing the drug Deslorelin (brand name Suprelorin) which controls the secretion of other hormones involved in egg production, temporarily stopping the laying of e

Secondhand Stories is a non-profit sanctuary that provides a loving forever home to 13 rescued chickens. We aim to provide a sanctuary where our rescued chickens can: live out their natural lives in peace; be free from exploitation and suffering; and have fulfilled and enriched experiences while living at the sanctuary. One of the most common questions we get as a chicken sanctuary is “What do you do with their eggs?” . Before I can answer what we do, let’s get into the who,