About — Share the Moon Animal Sanctuary

Share the Moon Animal Sanctuary’s mission is to rescue and provide love and lifelong care to animals in need, to educate the public on issues surrounding animal agriculture, and to assist others in making gentler choices for themselves, the animals, and the planet.

Share the Moon is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in Waynesville, North Carolina.

EIN 61-2005721

Meet the animals!

**Eloise, aka Weezy**, was dropped off late one night by an activist who had rescued her. We couldn’t turn this little yellow fluffball away. She has turned into a beautiful and feisty young lady. She LOVES to be with people, and is not shy about speaking her mind.

**Charlie** was born to a dairy mama on a local farm. Cows only make milk if they have just given birth (just like all mammals), so they are impregnated - and the babies are taken away from them - yearly to produce the milk for humans. When Charlie was a calf, the farmer thought he was different - more curious - than the others, and decided to keep him as a family pet instead of sending him to slaughter. When Charlie was 2, they decided to find another home, and he ended up moving to the homesteading farm at a summer camp. A friend of ours ran the homesteading farm, and co-founder Courtney started visiting Charlie almost weekly. When it became clear he would need more pasture space, we began looking for land. Once our fencing was completed we were finally able to welcome him to his forever home!

**Zoe** was rescued with her sister, Greta. They were part of a hoarding case in Kentucky. Twenty-seven pigs were pulled from a property where they were living amongst the carcasses of their dead family members. While both girls are nervous around people, Zoe was the first to approach her mom for snacks. She has a quiet bravery about her.

Greta was rescued from a hoarding situation along with her sister, Zoe. Greta is more cautious and fearful of people, but she is slowly letting her guard down. Now that she knows she will always have shelter, food, and love, her eyes are softening, and she is starting to approach people instead of running the other way.

Sylvie is an escapee from an industrial farm in eastern North Carolina. She either fell or jumped from a truck on her way to a “finishing farm” where she would have been fattened up to become someone’s food. Somehow, she survived for several months on her own in the wild! People had been calling our friends at Sisu Refuge about a loose pig, but no one could ever give a location until June 2022. Sisu put several days of their time into driving out to feed her and gain her trust, and they eventually got her to safety. After her vetting and quarantine period, she joined our family and we are head-over-heels in love!

Simone was living in the middle of town on a busy road for 6 months. The staff of a restaurant were watching over her, and once they realized some construction was going to take place they became worried about her safety. We negotiated with them to attempt to trap her, and it took 5 separate attempts! Once her quarantine was over and we integrated her with our other girls, she wasted no time in becoming top hen. She’s a tiny thing (just over one pound!) but she has a strong, commanding presence.

Indie

Indie was found as a stray in Indiana and taken in by a good Samaritan. They tried to find placement for her at nearby sanctuaries, however no one had room. When we found out about her, we knew she’d be a great fit with Sylvie. It took some planning but we were able to bring her home in December 2023. Indie has a strong personality, but she’s also very sensitive and LOVES to have her forehead scratched and her belly rubbed.

Oliver

Oliver was initially feral, and showed up suddenly in September 2023. He made sure to stay on the opposite side of the fence, watching us from a distance for almost a year. In summer 2024, Oliver began visiting consistently for meals, and we were able to trap and neuter him. When he was returned, he suddenly decided to make physical contact with the humans here! He now resides on our back porch and follows us while we do chores. He and Toby are best friends.

Twyla

Twyla was another feral kitten who emerged from the woods behind our house. She was timid but curious, mostly about Oliver. We were able to trap and spay her in June 2025. She is still learning to trust, but she stays close and knows the routine here. She hasn’t missed a meal since her spay! She is slowly winning Oliver over, and we hope they will be snuggle buddies by winter.

Astrid

Prior to coming to sanctuary, Astrid was used for breeding at the site of a cockfighting ring. In 2025, over 200 birds were saved and rehomed from that location in Pennsylvania. Astrid and her partner, Ritchie, made their way to Share the Moon. She is a nervous lady, but feels safe with Ritchie by her side. Astrid loves fruit snacks and dust bathing in the sun.

Ritchie

Ritchie was rescued as part of a cockfighting bust in Pennsylvania in 2025. He was likely used for fighting at some point, because his spurs, wattles, and comb had all been cut off. He is nervous but curious, and takes his rooster duties seriously. He protects his lady, Astrid, and alerts us to any possible predators. He greets us every day with his crow, and we love it!

Gray

Gray ended up in our county shelter in 2025. He had been used as part of a backyard breeding operation, and had lived outside for all 3 years of his life. Moving into a home took some adjustment for everyone, but with time and patience he is learning how good life can be.

Ruby

Ruby had a difficult start - her egg was laid on an educational farm, and a new employee accidentally put it in the refrigerator. When they realized their mistake, a family who was visiting the farm offered to take the egg home and incubate it, just in case it was still viable. A few weeks later, with a little help, Ruby hatched. She’s a little different from other chicks - she has a very short neck, her legs are a little crooked and uneven, and she has visual deficits. She needs help with eating, drinking, and grooming. Despite her differences, she is the sweetest lady and is thriving here in sanctuary!

Daphne

Daphne was listed for free on Facebook because she wasn’t laying eggs anymore. A lot of people only see animals for what they can offer humans, and when they can no longer perform as expected they become worthless. We believe chickens have worth, whether they are laying eggs or not. We brought Daphne home in August 2026 to join our small flock.

In Memorium

Owen

Owen was our first official sanctuary resident when he was rescued from a “humane” meat farm after being used for breeding. We enjoyed caring for Owen for 2 1/2 years, and we miss him so much.
Poppietta

Poppietta wandered onto our property after being attacked by a predator. We helped her heal and she joined our other chickens. She was the sweetest lady! She passed away suddenly after only 4 months of being here, and her necropsy showed extensive cancer. She will not be forgotten.
Roxy

While Roxy wasn’t an official sanctuary resident, she had been with us since 2008 and was a huge part of our life. She was always up for a cuddle, even after her body started to fail her. We had to help Roxy cross the rainbow bridge in May 2023. We will continue to rescue in her honor.
Hazel

Hazel was abandoned by her previous people because she was “too expensive.” Hazel was so sweet, even though she clearly had some sort of mass in her abdomen upon arrival. With lots of love and vet care, we were able to give her a whole year with her new sanctuary family.
Reed

Reed came from a home where he was a lone steer, and became instant friends with Charlie. He was nervous but curious, and settled in with the help of cookies and apples. A month before he turned 6, he had sudden swelling over his right eye. It grew rapidly and we ultimately realized he had a fast-growing cancer. His absence has left a huge hole in the pasture.
Henny

Henny was the first rescue to call Share the Moon home. She arrived as a chick with an injured leg, but she grew to become a sweet lady with only a slight limp that didn’t impair her in any way. We were so lucky to have 5 whole years with Henny.
Eleanor

Eleanor came to us after the rest of her flock had been taken by predators. She integrated well with our flock, and enjoyed meal worms and naps in the sun in her short 8 months here. We suspected reproductive cancer early on, and provided her with the best vet care. She passed away in Courtney’s arms after a short illness.
Toby

Toby was pulled from a shelter at 12 years old. He was underweight and had multiple medical issues and past trauma. With proper care and love, Toby blossomed here, and found a best friend in Oliver the cat. He became suddenly ill one day, and we learned he had a tumor bleeding into his stomach. He passed away at home surrounded by love at 14 ½ years of age.
Timmy

Timmy showed up as a semi-feral kitten in 2023. After a couple weeks of keeping his distance, he decided we were a good family for him. He was a sweet and spicy boy, and loved to play in his tunnel and take sun naps in his catio. Timmy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in the summer of 2025. We thought we’d have many more years with him, but he suddenly left us in January 2026. He is missed dearly.