the road less traveled

With his long shaggy hair, graying beard and muscle T-shirt, Mike Stura looks like a biker or a truck driver. Yes, he rides a motorcycle and drove trucks for years. But he’s also a vegan who runs an animal sanctuary and calls a cow, Jimmy, his best friend. His passion for saving animals takes him down new roads—and he’s not looking back.

Did you grow up with animals?

I grew up in the little town of Pomp-ton Lakes, New Jersey. We had a bunch of dogs and other pets too, but we didn’t have farm animals. I’ve always loved being around animals, although I didn’t make them my job until later in life. I