Happy Holidays

I have just come in from one of our sheep barns, where I sat peacefully for a long while with Willy, a sheep whom you’d be convinced was a dog if only he had long black fur instead of tightly curled white wool. What he wanted this morning, what he always wants from humans, is to be allowed to press up against us, to nuzzle our faces, to climb in our laps. What he wants, and what he gives in abundance, is love.

You see, at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, love is our currency. We offer it freely and with open, optimistic hearts, confident that each time we do so, the world softens, if only a little.

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2024: A Year of Challenges and Hope

This year has been one of growth, learning, and unexpected challenges. The rising costs of hay and medical care, paired with the unpredictability of extreme weather and climate change, have tested us. Escalating erosion, toppling trees, and threats of flooding one month, followed by concerns about wells running dry the next, have made meeting our budget a Herculean task. Yet in the face of these challenges, one thing is constant: the love and commitment we share with you for the animals.

Over nearly a quarter century, we have helped thousands of desperate animals experience what love feels like. They, in turn, extend that love outward: to visitors who arrive unprepared to be licked by a cow or nuzzled by a sheep, to countless more through our virtual programming. Thousands of children in New York City schools are also impacted by our unique partnership with the Mayor’s Office for Food Policy, which fosters empathy, understanding, and compassion surrounding food choices. In fact, over 93% of non-vegan visitors report feeling inspired to reduce or eliminate animal products after their time here—a powerful testament to the life-changing work we do together.

In other words, your support saves animals in two ways: it helps us rescue and care for those who call CAS home, and it encourages humanity to align their lifestyle choices with their most deeply held values: Mercy. Kindness. Love for all beings.

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May Love Be Our Currency

And so we turn to you in this season of giving! Your gift will help meet the increasing needs of our aging residents, provide the funds with which to welcome more, and expand our reach to inspire a kinder world for all beings. Nearly 200 animals who call CAS home received individualized, loving care in 2024, and we need your support to ensure their care continues.

In an era that’s fraught with challenges, animals invite us to see beyond ourselves, to feel our humanity, and to believe in a world governed by love. They remind us that love must always be our currency.

If you need support or have questions, please contact Rebecca Shaw, Senior Development Associate, at 845-336-8447 ex 201 or Rebecca@casanctuary.org.

From the two- and four-legged beings at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, thank you for your unwavering belief in our mission. Wishing you warmth, joy, and the love that truly matters this holiday season,

Warmly, Kathy Stevens Founder