About Us
Blackbird Animal Refuge was founded to provide care for the abused, abandoned, neglected and forgotten along with educating the community to value all animals equally while giving compassion, hope, love and a voice to the voiceless.
Thank you all for being here. Your unwavering support for our sanctuary means the world to us.
Kristin Pultro
Founder/President
Kristin began her vegan journey nearly ten years ago after diving deep into learning where her “food” actually came from. Growing up in an Italian family, she was devastated to realize who had been on her plate and to uncover the widespread exploitation and abuse of so many sentient beings. Driven by her passion for helping animals, she spent four years volunteering and working at Rancho Relaxo, where she gained hands-on experience caring for the animals she was determined to help save.
In 2019, Kristin and Kyle purchased the property that would become Blackbird Animal Refuge, now home to around fifty rescued residents. Their mission is not only to provide lifelong care for the animals they rescue and rehabilitate, but also to educate the public about living a more compassionate lifestyle. In addition to running Blackbird Animal Refuge with her partner Kyle, Kristin also works a full-time job. In her limited free time, she enjoys baking, learning piano, and relaxing at home with her dogs—curled up on the couch with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and a good book.
Kyle Veale
Cofounder/Vice President
Abby Ackley
Barn Manager
Abby became one of our volunteers in January 2023, and discovered the sanctuary while scrolling through Instagram and was thrilled to find out we were nearby. She had unknowingly driven by Blackbird many times before. Despite growing up with pets, primarily dogs and a few hamsters, Abby had limited experience with farm animals. However, after her first volunteering weekend at Blackbird, she became enamored with all the residents, particularly our sheep Ethan holding a special place in her heart.
When not volunteering, Abby teaches history at a local public high school. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, discovering new vegan recipes, hiking, camping, and spending quality time with her husband, their two children, and their two dogs.
Robyn Goldman – Grunseich
Volunteer Manager
Robyn is our Volunteer Coordinator and one of our OG volunteers who started in November 2022. She’s a Brooklyn girl who now lives in Somerset, NJ with her husband and 4 kitties that live with them indoors and 6 ferals who they care for outside. She went vegan in 2021 when she made the connection that the animals she loved so much were also on her plate and began down the rabbit hole learning more about the atrocities of the meat and dairy industry as well as how animals are exploited for entertainment, science, etc.
While she loves all the Blackbird residents, her favorite thing to do at the sanctuary is lay with our piggies and give them belly rubs. She’s also fully committed to making one of our chicks fall in love with her!!!
When Robyn isn’t spending time with the animals, she’s an IT Manager for a media company
Blackbird Animal Refuge
Woodstown, New Jersey, United States
