Kathy’s Retirement: A Message to the CAS Family

25 March 2025
Dear Friend,

For nearly 25 years, Catskill Animal Sanctuary has been a soft landing place not only for thousands of animals, but for thousands of humans as well. In fact, the magic of good sanctuaries is that they are havens for everyone lucky enough to experience them. For animals, they’re truly heaven on earth–places where once broken beings experience comfort, safety, freedom, and friendship that they never knew possible. For humans, sanctuaries are reminders of the importance of the ground beneath our feet, and of our connection to all who share this precious planet. They are places of renewal, and sometimes, of profound transformation. Humanity needs them as much as the animals do.

As many of you know, we’ve been planning for my retirement for several years. Today, with a full heart and a quarter century of memories, I want to share that I will be stepping down on June 30, 2025. It is time for my next adventure, and it is time for CAS to welcome a new generation of leaders with the vision, skills, relationships and more to guide it through a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity.

In a life punctuated by joy, many of my very deepest joys–and, along with them, my greatest heartaches–have been on these hallowed grounds. There’s nothing like looking into the eyes of a being shattered by cruelty and saying: “You’re safe. You’re loved. And you matter”…and then ensuring that all we do contributes to their recovery. The joy in those moments is rivaled by moments witnessing remarkable transformations when an unsuspecting human is licked over and over by an affectionate cow, or experiences a sheep burying his head in their chest, or a turkey falling asleep in their lap. These are the moments that transcend the need for human language. They’re the moments when humans “know for sure” that in the ways that matter, all of us, no matter our species, are the same. And very, very often, that understanding creates vegans.

I am proud that we’ve always tried to lead with kindness, with hope, with encouragement. “Love Spoken Here” has infused not only what we do, but how we do it, from the way we care for the animals and each other, to how we speak with visitors and audiences around the world. And despite the unrest in our world, I still believe in the power of love to change the world. My parting wish is that my successors will, too, and that their actions, large and small, will be governed by this guiding principle.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary is in good hands. We’re well managed, financially stable, and we have the most outstanding animal care team one could hope for. For me and for CAS, it’s the right time to step aside, and the Sanctuary is ready to welcome a bold new leader to carry forward the vision of a world guided by kindness.

As humanity is challenged to hold on to hope for a brighter future, I’m even more appreciative of the role CAS plays in offering a vision of life as it could be. As it should be. And I am grateful to the legions of people–staff, volunteers, and supporters–who’ve had a hand in sustaining that vision since we were little more than an idea back in 2001.

As for me, I’m so excited to begin my new chapter! My partner David is “retiring” at the same time I am, and we’re busy planning our first adventures. But no matter where we land, I’ll be available to support the team and the incoming Executive Director, and I look forward to returning often, whether to speak, lead tours, kiss cows, or all three!

In closing for now, I hope that at least a few folks out there will look at my life and say, “If she can do it, so can I.” It doesn’t matter what you choose: what matters is that you choose to use the most precious gift of a human life for the betterment of those who need help. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages…and species.

Wishing you love, courage, passion, and purpose for the rest of your days.