Frequently Asked Questions
Sanctuary for All
Due to safety and staffing limitations, we do not allow drop-in visits to the Sanctuary. If you’re interested in visiting CAS, please check out our visit page to learn more about our current programs.
Our ability to rescue an animal depends on a variety of factors, including current vacancies, staffing, and animal health and safety concerns. While we sadly are unable to intake every rescue request we receive, we do our very best to assist in finding a safe, lifelong home for the animal. Please contact us by email if you’re looking to help place a farmed animal in need. Please note that Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a farmed animal sanctuary, meaning we focus on the rescue of animals such as cows, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
We are a farmed animal sanctuary, so unfortunately we cannot rescue cats or dogs. If you need to rehome a cat or dog, we encourage you to contact your local No Kill shelter.
Our hearts are with you; please contact your veterinarian.
Sadly, we can’t. Please contact your local wildlife rescue/rehabilitation center to report an injured animal.
We’re not far from where Catskill Game Farm used to be, but we are two very different places. We opened in 2001; the game farm closed in 2006. The names are similar enough that people sometimes confuse us. We know a lot of people have happy childhood memories of the game farm, but sadly life behind the scenes wasn’t so good for the animals.
Our Sanctuary is pronounced Cat-skill, and we’re named after the Catskill Mountains that form the beautiful backdrop of our 110 acres. The Dutch settled the area, and their word for creek, kill, ends the name of many towns in the area, including Fishkill, Peekskill, Bushkill and Plattekill.
Animal sponsorship is a monthly or annual donation that helps cover the cost of caring for a rescued animal at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
When you sponsor an animal, your contribution supports their food, bedding, veterinary care, and lifelong sanctuary. Sponsorship allows you to directly support a specific rescued farmed animal, even if you cannot adopt one yourself.
Ready to sponsor a CAS resident?
Meet the AnimalsAbsolutely. When you’re donating, simply indicate that it’s a gift and include the recipient’s information. We’ll mail them a sponsor welcome packet and, shortly before their sponsorship expires, we’ll contact you to determine whether you’d like to renew.
Yes, Catskill Animal Sanctuary is 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so your donation is fully tax deductible.
If you have any further tax-related questions, please contact your tax advisor.
Please send us an email at support@casanctuary.org.
During Public Tours season, our unique Day Passes offer guests the chance to roam the grounds freely from 10am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Day Pass guests are free to walk the Sanctuary at their own pace and say “hello” to any animal residents they pass by! Your Day Pass reservation comes with a complimentary 60-or–90-min tour of your choice, but it is not required. To book your day pass, visit the tours page and select the “Day Pass” option at check out.
For the safety of our staff and rescued animals, we do not allow drop in visits. If you’d like to visit, you’ll need to schedule your tour or day pass reservation in advance, and agree to our safety guidelines. This rule applies to general visitors, Sanctuary Members, and Animal Sponsors. Thank you for understanding!
Public Tours are hosted every Saturday and Sunday from April-November, with several tour times available. Public Tours are shared group experiences, so it’s likely your group will be on a tour with other guests. Private Tours are held by appointment only and must be booked in advance. We allow for parties up to 10 to book a Private Tour for a more exclusive Sanctuary experience.
Group Tours are designed for larger parties (>10) and are ideal for school groups, employee team building, or community-led organizations. Rates vary by appointment and lunch can be added for an additional fee.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary is home to 10 different species of animals: cows, horses, pigs, ducks, turkeys, chickens, geese, goats, sheep, and donkeys. We’re also unofficially “home” to dozens of species of wildlife! Our tours are designed for comfortable and safe engagement with many of our farmed animal rescues.
Please note that due to our Sanctuary’s protocol surrounding Avian Flu protection efforts, we are not allowing visitors to touch, pet, or visit closely with any of our avian (bird) residents.
Our Humane Education team will make every effort to introduce you to as many species as possible.
Familiarize yourself with the faces you’ll meet ahead of time by visiting our Meet the Animals page!
Schedule Your Tour
CAS offers guided tours for groups and families, private tours, and more! Check out our selections and schedule a time to meet the animals.
Learn More
Meet Your New Best Friend
Animal sponsors receive regular updates and exclusive photos, private visits, & more! Sponsorship is the best way to support CAS and establish a life long relationship with a rescued animal.
Meet the Animals
