Remembering Lindsay Mikus
We lost one of our longtime community members in 2024, Lindsay Mikus. Lindsay was known for many things: she was a caring mother to two children, Avery and Julian, a passionate activist, and a well-loved veterinarian and caregiver (to both humans and non-humans), and she had the most amazing giggle we’ve ever heard. Lindsay’s presence touched everyone she met.
This October, we said goodbye to this gentle, loving human as she passed just before her 40th birthday. Lindsay’s passing was tragic, and it is something that our team is still grieving. We hold her legacy close, now and forever.
Maybe fate brought Lindsay to Woodstock Sanctuary in 2015. She had visited on a Public Education tour and learned more about our work and the harm of animal agriculture, which ultimately led to her decision to go vegan. She then joined our team in 2018 as a caregiver and later became our staff vet. Lindsay left a significant mark on the residents and staff during her years at the Sanctuary. Our medical care wouldn’t be what it is without Lindsay. She was a lifesaver for so many animals here.
One memory that will stay with us is Lindsay going on a road trip down South to pick up Buddy, an elder goat who had lost his family. He needed a new home but also needed a ride. Lindsay dropped everything, grabbed her son Avery, and headed off. When she came back to New York with Buddy in her car after days and days of driving with a kid and a goat, she must have been exhausted but had the biggest grin and was so joyously happy that Buddy would have a happy sanctuary life. Because at that point, she had fallen in love with him like we all quickly did. Buddy lived a great life here until he passed away a few years later due to his very advanced age. But he had that life because Lindsay showed up for him. Lindsay always showed up—for nonhuman animals, human friends, and humans she didn’t know. She was authentic, kind, and real.
Rest in peace, Lindsay. We miss you so much, and you will be here forever with us. We hope Buddy is joining you on this road trip once again.