Over the long holiday weekend, my sister and I visited Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey Township, N.J. We stumbled upon the Popcorn Park on our way to the beach and took a quick detour on Humane Way in Forked River. The road was aptly named, as Popcorn Park is an animal sanctuary and rescue facility.

We purchased popcorn specifically for the animals and walked around feeding potbellied pigs, llamas, goats, sheep, deer, monkeys and roaming peacocks. We wandered over to the elusive grey fox enclosure, saved from neglectful and illegal ownership, before visiting with rescued black and brown bears, a Siberian tiger, a lion and lioness and mini horses — just to name a few.

Reading each animal’s background and association with Popcorn Park, many were rescued from abusive homes, neglectful and illegal ownership in people’s homes, and even a few unwanted from established zoos, like the blind white tiger from the Maryland Zoo.

It was interesting to read each animal’s story and how beloved they are by the Popcorn Park staff, including an 18-year-old lioness who wags her tail excited to see employees when they come in each morning and rubs up against them like a housecat.

— Angelique Platas, associate editor