Remembering Dino

Twenty-four years ago today, an ancient pony limped slowly off the trailer that had pulled in front of the borrowed piece of property where Catskill Animal Sanctuary got its start. His name was Dino. He was our first rescue. Some weeks earlier, a teenager had walked into Brooklyn’s Bergen Beach Stables where Dino lived and … Read more

Surviving Winter, Embracing Spring: The Resilience of Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s Senior Animals

(Photo: Senior Horse Barclay led by Animal Care Team Leader, Gabby) Even when it’s unusually mild, winter is tough on old beings, no matter their species. At CAS, we do our utmost to help our elders through winter safely and comfortably, yet at the back of our minds, the question “Will they make it through … Read more

Grant Us the Courage

It is unusually mild on this late December morning as I stroll the grounds to spend some quiet time with our four-legged and feathered friends. Down equine alley, I call to Buddy the blind horse, who’s napping in his pasture. The old  man lifts his head at the sound of my voice, and walks confidently … Read more

May You Run Through Grassy Fields: Goodbye to Our Beloved Buddy

In the winter of 2007, we couldn’t possibly have known that an aging, nearly-blind horse who came down our driveway at Catskill Animal Sanctuary would change our lives forever. But he did, and 15 years later, we’ve just said goodbye.  Our hearts are simultaneously heavy, relieved for an animal who was finally ready to move … Read more

A “Tough Love” Note to Self:  Get a Grip. Connect with the Animals. And Carry On.

Reflections for the New Year I get it.  I’m exhausted, too, depleted by a two-year pandemic that continues to outwit us, by political nonsense from the federal level down to our individual communities, by the growing gap between the extremely wealthy and everyone else, by the recognition that the window to change the trajectory of … Read more

Giver of One Million Kisses: Remembering Amos

“He was magnificent.” These are the words we’re hearing this week as we share the news of the sudden death of beloved Amos the steer, our grilled cheese gourmand, wedding “officiant,” and most importantly, giver of one million kisses.* Amos died unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon, surrounded by many who loved him, including his pasture mate … Read more

Remembering Tiny Dino: The First CAS Love Story

Twenty years ago, Catskill Animal Sanctuary opened our barn doors and welcomed Dino, a Shetland pony close to 30 years old. Tiny Dino, at 300 pounds and 36” tall was our first rescue. Dino was the sole survivor of a horrible fire set by a teenager at Brooklyn’s Bergen Beach Stable. Twenty horses died immediately; … Read more