A Lost Sheep Finds Refuge | Bernadette’s Story
A New Arrival
Catskill Animal Sanctuary has welcomed an unexpected newcomer: a lost sheep who wandered onto our 120-acre refuge. Late last week, staff discovered the frightened sheep grazing in one of CAS’s horse pastures; she had slipped in through a back entrance and sought safety among the rescued horses. After gently corralling the tired animal, the team brought her to a quiet barn and provided immediate care. She eagerly drank fresh water and devoured hay, clearly exhausted from her ordeal. With temperatures soaring near 90°F, caregivers knew that her matted, thick coat would need to be sheared. But due to her lack of socialization and her debilitating fear of humans, caregivers chose to take their time acclimating her to touch before shearing her, to avoid the compounding of more trauma. When they first attempted to shear her, she was so matted that the shears broke! While she awaits a full shear, she is enjoying the privacy of an air conditioned stall. The CAS staff is confident that with gentle care, time to heal, and a whole lot of love, she will come out the other side of this ordeal with a new lease on life…and a new haircut!From Stray to Sanctuary Resident
Following standard protocol, and on the guidance of the Ulster County SPCA and local law enforcement, CAS placed the sheep on a three-day “stray hold.” The sanctuary alerted the community via social media, hoping to locate an owner or any information about where this sheep had come from. But no one stepped forward to claim her. A few curious tips trickled in, but none provided credible leads. When the stray hold elapsed with no claimant, Catskill Animal Sanctuary made the compassionate decision to officially welcome the sheep into its family of rescued animals. Now a permanent CAS resident, the sheep has been given the name Bernadette by staff, meaning “brave as a bear.” Bernadette is receiving all the care she desperately needs. A veterinary checkup is underway to assess her overall health. In the meantime, she’s been enjoying regular meals, a clean bed of straw, and relief from the summer heat. Sanctuary staff report that Bernadette remains understandably skittish and wary of human touch, a likely result of trauma and unfamiliarity with gentle attention, so they are letting her set the pace. With patience and kindness, the team will work to build her trust. Over the coming weeks, as Bernadette realizes she is truly in a safe and loving environment, she will be gradually introduced to other rescued sheep at the sanctuary. This slow, careful socialization will help her bond with her new flock at her own comfort level.Not the First Self-Rescuing Sheep
Remarkably, Bernadette’s story is not the first time an animal has rescued herself by seeking refuge at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. In the summer of 2024, another sheep made headlines with a similar tale of survival. That sheep, fondly named June by CAS staff, actually escaped from a nearby backyard slaughter operation and ran until she reached the safety of Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s pastures. Sanctuary staff arriving one morning found the exhausted June lying just outside the fence of the sheep pasture, as if she somehow knew exactly where to go for help. Amazingly, June had unknowingly come to the very place where dozens of other sheep from her former situation had found sanctuary. Less than two years prior, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, in collaboration with Ulster County SPCA and law enforcement, had intervened to save forty starving sheep from that same illegal slaughter farm in the Hudson Valley. Those animals were in horrific condition upon rescue: gravely malnourished, infested with parasites, and suffering untreated hoof rot after prolonged neglect. It was an extremely rare victory for farmed animals; authorities negotiated the surrender of the entire flock, and all forty sheep were transported to CAS for emergency care and refuge. Once settled at the sanctuary, the flock of forty began a long healing journey. The team worked around the clock to treat severe anemia and infections, nurse the weakest back to strength, and provide nourishing food and clean shelter. To accommodate the sudden influx of animals in need, CAS staff rapidly set up quarantine barns and even converted a tool shed into a warm nursery for pregnant ewes and their babies. In the days that followed rescue, many of the sheep surprised everyone by giving birth, a true Christmas “baby boom” of tiny lambs born into safety. Tragically, a few of the weakest sheep did not survive despite urgent care, a devastating result of the cruelty they had endured. But the vast majority pulled through and began to thrive thanks to CAS’s expert care and compassion. Soon, the rescue barn was filled with the sounds of happy bleats and the pitter-patter of little lamb hooves. “If you don’t know sheep, you don’t know what you’re missing,” observed Sanctuary Operations Director Andrea Burritt at the time, “They are such gentle, soulful animals.” By early 2023, those sheep were healthy enough to join the larger sanctuary community. After their health had stabilized, other local sanctuaries opened their doors to take in several of the sheep to ensure each animal had plenty of space and attention. Most of the flock remained at CAS, where they formed a contented sheep family roaming green pastures. It was into that very flock that June, the escapee, was welcomed in 2024. She was introduced carefully after a quarantine period, and in time June assimilated with the others who shared a similarly harrowing past. Today, June spends her days in peace among her fellow sheep, including many who came from the same place she did. Her bravery in seeking out the sanctuary literally saved her life, and we are confident that Bernadette will be able to assimilate just as easily.A Mission of Compassion in Action
Stories like Bernadette’s and June’s highlight the core purpose of Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Each rescue, whether it’s one lost sheep appearing at our gate or a coordinated save of forty animals from dire circumstances, is a testament to our belief that every animal deserves freedom, compassion, and a chance to thrive. CAS was founded in 2001 with a clear mission: to rescue farmed animals, ignite social change to end their exploitation, and champion vegan living. Bernadette’s serendipitous arrival on our grounds this week is yet another manifestation of that mission in action. What could have ended in tragedy for her has instead become a story of hope and second chances. As Founder Kathy Stevens often reminds us, “They want their lives as much as we want ours… and we believe they deserve them.” At Catskill Animal Sanctuary, this guiding philosophy is behind everything we do, from emergency rescues and daily animal care to advocacy and education. It is also striking to note the intelligence and will to survive that animals like Bernadette and June display. When June fled cruelty and ran straight to an animal sanctuary, or when Bernadette wandered in from parts unknown, it reinforced what we know in our hearts: farmed animals want to live, and when given the slightest chance at freedom, they will seize it. Our job at CAS is to ensure that when they do, there is a safe haven waiting for them. We’re honored that these beings trust us enough to come to our doors, and we are profoundly committed to honoring that trust every day.How You Can Help Bernadette and Others Like Her
Rescuing and rehabilitating farmed animals is a labor of love, and it requires the support of a compassionate community. With Bernadette now part of our growing family of over 150 animals, Catskill Animal Sanctuary is asking for your help to give her the best life possible. Here’s how you can make a difference:-
- Donate to Support Bernadette’s Care: As a nonprofit, CAS relies on donations to fund life-saving rescues and provide daily care for animals like Bernadette, June, and the rest of the herd. Your gift will go directly toward necessities like nutritious food, soft bedding, veterinary care, and enrichment for the animals. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue our work and gives animals a second chance at life. If Bernadette’s story moved you, consider donating in her honor right here on our website to support her ongoing care and the sanctuary’s mission.
- Subscribe for Updates: Want to follow Bernadette’s journey and stay informed about all the heartwarming rescues and happenings at Catskill Animal Sanctuary? Join our email list for updates! By subscribing to our newsletter, you’ll receive the latest news on Bernadette’s progress, touching animal stories, sanctuary events, and ways to get involved. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected with our work and see the impact of your support over time.
