This Upstate animal sanctuary provides a forever home to dogs that have been cast away

When Spirit Animal Sanctuary was first created, it was built on love—love for animals that had been overlooked, misunderstood, or written off entirely. But when founder Linda Papszycki suddenly lost her uncle, the man who started the sanctuary and chose its name, that love was tested in ways few people ever experience.

Linda didn’t plan to take over the sanctuary. She was forced into it—last minute, under devastating circumstances. Her uncle became seriously ill, and just six days later, he passed away, leaving behind nearly 100 animals who needed immediate care. What she inherited wasn’t just a mission—it was a property in crisis.

Photo bySpirit Animal Sanctuary

When Linda stepped in, the sanctuary was in deplorable condition, a result of her uncle’s declining health and inability to keep up with daily operations. Buildings needed cleaning and repair. Animals needed medical attention. Systems needed rebuilding from the ground up. And yet, walking away was never an option.

“If it wasn’t for the animals, I would have walked away and gone back to my life,” Linda says. “But animals are better than people. I couldn’t give up on them.”

Spirit Animal Sanctuary exists for the dogs most shelters can’t—or won’t—take. These are animals with behavioral challenges rooted in trauma, dogs shaped by neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Dogs who, too often, face euthanasia simply because healing takes time.

“At Spirit, we give them a forever home,” Linda explains. “Just like people, they have feelings. They shouldn’t be euthanized because someone doesn’t want to take the time to help them work through what they’ve been through.”

Photo bySpirit Animal Sanctuary

For the last 17 months, Linda has carried this responsibility almost entirely on her own. She works seven days a week, often 120+ hours, caring for animals, cleaning facilities, coordinating vet care, managing emergencies, and slowly restoring the sanctuary to safe, humane standards. The only breaks she’s taken came after being hospitalized from a dog bite that nearly led to sepsis, and two brief mental health days when the weight of it all became overwhelming.

Despite exhaustion, financial strain, and emotional burnout, Linda continues—driven by the animals who rely on her completely.

“I’m the only one these animals have seven days a week,” she says. “I don’t even have time to take care of myself because I’m trying to make this a better atmosphere for them.”

Support from the sanctuary’s veterinary office, the local community, and its online followers has been critical. Fundraising and social media help have made survival possible. But consistent, hands-on help remains scarce—volunteers are able to come only a few days a week, when they can.

Photo bySpirit Animal Sanctuary

Linda has also been pulling from her personal savings to keep Spirit Animal Sanctuary afloat, ensuring the animals remain safe, fed, and cared for. Her immediate goals are clear: restore the sanctuary fully to good standards, continue rescuing animals in need, and rebuild the sanctuary’s reputation so it can regain financial stability.

More than anything, Spirit Animal Sanctuary needs awareness.

“We just need help getting our name out there,” Linda says. “So people know we exist—and know we need support.”

Spirit Animal Sanctuary is not a polished operation or a feel-good rescue story wrapped in a bow. It’s real, raw, and powered by one person’s refusal to abandon animals who have already been abandoned too many times. It’s a place held together by grit, compassion, and the belief that every life—no matter how difficult—deserves dignity and safety.

Spirit Animal Sanctuary
📍 2539 E Rd, Boonville, NY 13309
📅 Founded: June 2004
👤 Steward: Linda Papszycki
🐕 Mission: Providing forever homes for dogs with behavioral challenges and trauma
🛠 Current Focus: Restoring safe standards, animal care, financial recovery
💛 Community Support: Local vets, volunteers, online followers, grassroots fundraising
🌱 How to Help: Spread awareness, volunteer time, donate, and share their story