Obituary of Sarah E. McDaniel - Austin

Sarah E. McDaniel-Austin, 48, of St. Johnsville, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family and her animals.

She was born on January 9, 1977, in Orange County, New York, the daughter of Robert McDaniel and Linda Bonebrake. From an early age, Sarah demonstrated a rare connection with animals, graduating from A Beka Academy while becoming one of the youngest exotic bird breeders in New York State.

Sarah’s professional life was rooted in care—she worked as a veterinary technician at Nassau Veterinary Clinic and owned Joane’s Pet Shop in Schenectady, NY. Simultaneously, she was building her career as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, earning both State and Federal certifications. Her extraordinary skill and intuition with animals earned her a reputation that extended across New York, throughout the country, and even, unofficially, around the world. If an animal could be saved, Sarah was the one people called.

Sarah founded the 402(c)3 nonprofit Avian Experience / Sarah’s Birds of Prey, which focused not only on the rescue, rehab, and release of countless animals, but also showcased Sarah’s life as a falconer alongside her beloved Red-tailed Hawk, Tres. Together, Sarah and Tres spent years hunting and presenting at educational programs, captivating audiences with their powerful bond.

Sarah’s journey began with exotic birds—not just breeding, but rescuing those who were misunderstood or abused. Her flock may have looked a bit ragged, but they were deeply loved. Three members of her original avian family remain: Clyde, a nearly featherless cockatoo who has been with her for over 30 years; Willow, a slightly less naked cockatoo; and Diablo, whose story is legendary. Sarah raised Diablo from a hatchling and later sold him. Fifteen years afterward, she entered a pet store where a visibly distressed bird caught her attention. The moment he was let out of his cage, he flew straight into her arms. With the help of banding records, she confirmed—it was Diablo. Her online community was so moved by the reunion that they raised the funds to bring him home for good.

But her impact reached far beyond rehabilitation. Sarah was a fiercely loyal friend and caregiver who believed her gift was from God. She was also a talented artist, using her sketches of the animals she helped to support her nonprofit work and to contribute to organizations such as the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.

Always full of surprises, Sarah also dipped into the entertainment world. She was credited as a goose handler in a Mark Wahlberg film, lent one of her owls to a music video, and developed an ongoing partnership with Beekman 1802—serving as the handler for their famously photogenic “spokes goats.”

In her later years, Sarah’s heart was captured by goats. Through Blueline Farm and Got Your Six Goats, she created a sanctuary specializing in therapy goats—a fully supported, non-meat facility. She fell deeply in love not only with goats but with “goat people,” who stood faithfully by her side until the very end.

The most profound of those bonds was with a goat named Miracle, whom Sarah considered her daughter. Born under traumatic circumstances, Miracle shared Sarah’s resilient spirit. The two were inseparable—between Miracle’s kitchen crib and her living room naps, they were together through every moment and every fight. Sarah advocated fiercely for her, pouring her heart and intellect into her care. Tragically, Miracle passed away in February 2024 while Sarah was hospitalized—just two days before Sarah was to return home. It was a loss that shattered Sarah’s heart.

As much as Sarah dedicated herself to animals, she was just as devoted to her friends. She had a close-knit circle who stood beside her through life’s highs and lows—those who reminded her of her worth when she forgot, and those who laughed with her in the joyful chaos of life. Though she wasn’t able to express to everyone how much they meant to her, she hoped they would remember the wild, beautiful, silly moments they shared—and forgive her for not wanting their memories of her to be dimmed.

Sarah is survived by her beloved husband, Ryan Austin, of St. Johnsville, NY; her mother, Linda Bonebrake, of Gloversville, NY; her brother, David McDaniel (Dianna), of Cherry Hill, NJ; her sister, Melissa Lester (James), of Galena, AK; her stepmother, Lil McDaniel, of Midlothian, VA; and her mother-in-law, Janet Austin, of Fonda, NY. She is also survived by extended family, including Linda, and the late Dave, Kollar, of Fultonville, NY; many loving aunts, uncles, nephews, a great-niece, cousins, and lifelong friends. She also leaves behind innumerable Sisters in the far reaching family of LEO Wives. 

She was predeceased by her father, Robert McDaniel, her brother Scott McDaniel (both in 2017), and her deeply beloved daughter, Miracle, in 2024.

A celebration of Sarah’s life will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Avenue, Frankfort, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sarah’s Birds of Prey, 159 Allen Rd., St. Johnsville, NY 13452, to support the continued care of the animals she so dearly loved and the thoughtful decisions now required for their future.

To share memories or leave a message of sympathy, please visit Sarah’s memorial page at www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com.