New Life Animal Rescue

THE TURTLE YOU CARRIED BACK TO THE POND JUST CROSSED THE ROAD AGAIN

You saw her in the middle of the road — a painted turtle, moving slowly, one deliberate step at a time. You pulled over, scooped her up, and carried her back to the pond she obviously came from. You drove away feeling good. She turned around and walked right back into traffic.

She was not lost. She was not confused. She was heading to her nesting site — a sunny patch of soft soil she may have used for years, possibly decades. Turtles know exactly where they are going. When you moved her backwards, you did not save her. You doubled the number of times she has to cross.

In May and June, the majority of turtles on roads are females looking for a place to lay eggs. They may be heading away from water — this is intentional. Nesting sites are on land, sometimes hundreds of yards from the nearest pond. A turtle heading away from a creek is not a turtle in trouble. It is a turtle on a mission.

The rule is simple and it comes from every wildlife agency in the country: always move a turtle in the direction it was already heading. Even if that direction seems wrong to you. Even if it leads away from every body of water in sight. The turtle knows. You do not.

Pick her up gently with both hands on either side of the shell, behind the front legs. Keep her low to the ground. Move her to the far side of the road in the direction she was traveling. Set her down and walk away. For snapping turtles, grip the rear of the shell only or slide a car mat underneath — their necks are long enough to reach your hands at the sides.

She has been making this crossing since before the road was built. Move her forward, not back.

We have space for a few more vendors!

💥💥💥 [email protected] is THE ONLY CONTACT FOR THIS EVENT💥💥💥

New Life Animal Rescue’s 12th annual "Gone to the Dogs" CRAFT FAIR & FAMILY FESTIVAL… the biggest and the fastest growing event of its kind in the area!

💥NOTICE: Please email us at [email protected] with specifics of what you sell, as well as pictures of your items and your event setup. We have an approval process to limit similar vendors to help insure everyone is successful!💥

Here’s all the info:
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Our 💥12th annual💥
NEW LIFE ANIMAL RESCUE "Gone to the Dogs" CRAFT FAIR & FAMILY FESTIVAL!!

LOCATION:
Burlington County Fairgrounds
1960 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road / Route 206
Columbus, NJ

This event will run from 10am until 4pm with artists & crafters, food trucks, pet contests, New Life Animal Rescue alumni strut, our huge & famous prize raffle loaded with dozens of high value prizes, our super 50/50 raffle (our past jackpots have exceeded $25,000 and we are starting much earlier & expect this one to blow them away!), our dog KISSING BOOTH, Bluey, professional photos booth, and much more FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY throughout the day!

You will need to supply your own tables and chair(s) and tent if desired.

New Life Animal Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned animals, primarily special needs, critical care, and hospice cases. We rescue from high-kill shelters, abuse or neglect, and owners who can no longer care for them.
We believe that true rescue begins at the moment of rescuing the dog, and continues through loving care, medical treatment and gentle force-free, fear-free training, finding the perfect match for that particular animal and family, and follow-up after adoption.
We also serve as a resource to our local and internet community and all pet owners by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.

💥💥💥 [email protected] is THE ONLY CONTACT FOR THIS EVENT💥💥💥