8 Things We Didn’t Know Until We Went Vegan

At Catskill Animal Sanctuary, we often say that the animals are our teachers, and over the past 20 years, we’ve learned a lot from them. Even better, we’ve watched as thousands upon thousands of visitors have their “Aha!” moment as a chicken like Travis falls asleep in their arms, as a turkey like Imogen purrs … Read more

Farewell To Michael, An Unforgettable Girl

Michael. Our people-loving, heart-opening, sassy-girl turkey. She passed quickly and unexpectedly in her sleep after a day filled with her favorite things: roaming the Sanctuary, stealing snacks, getting hugs from her humans, doing her dinosaur run, and monopolizing the fan. Words cannot capture the scope of our grief. “Mikey” liberated herself at an early age, … Read more

Be A Champion For Animals At The 2021 Goat Games!

You can take gold and be a champion for rescued animals at the second annual 2021 Goat Games! Grab your friends and team up for a 5K walk, hike, bike, run, swim — or even nap! Remember how much fun last year was? This year is going to be the G.O.A.T.!* *G.O.A.T. = “Greatest Of … 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

Onward, Bruised But Resolute: Reflections For A New Year

From the horrors of a pandemic to those inflicted by climate change; from the hideous realities of systemic racism laid bare before our eyes to a sitting president’s attempt to overthrow an election, 2020 was one prolonged punch to the gut. George Floyd, and before him Eric Garner, and so many others, pleaded “I can’t … Read more

Goodbye, Moses: A Sudden Farewell After a Lifetime of Joy

Our precious Moses, our beautiful spotted boy with giant floppy ears that masked huge golden eyes, is gone. He was 7 ½ years old. Moses arrived in 2013 from a hoarding case, along with Miriam and Ginger, his presumed sisters, and nine goats. The piglets, just a few months old, reveled in their spacious pasture, … Read more

Petunia’s Pledge: Continuing Your Journey

Like so many of you, I was raised in a meat and potatoes family. Breakfast was often eggs with bacon or sausage. Lunch was a sandwich: ham and cheese, turkey, tuna, chicken salad, and meat was the centerpiece of every dinner Mom prepared. I think it’s accurate to say, in fact, that my mother never … Read more

Petunia’s Pledge: Continue Your Journey Of Compassion

On World Vegetarian Day (October 1st), we celebrate vegetarians and veg-curious folks like YOU — Let’s take the next step together! Take Petunia’s Pledge to go vegan for one month in honor of our rescued sassy queen, Petunia June. The pledge goes until World Vegan Day (November 1st) and we’ll support you every step of the way. … Read more

Opening Postponed— But We’ll Keep You Updated!

We know you’re as eager as Sister Mary Frances to gather around our Tours sign and visit the animals! When we made our decision to postpone our visiting season, we thought the world might have enough time to sort itself out. Yet there’s still so much uncertainty, and we’re not quite ready to reopen. We … Read more

Please Read This Before Starting Your Backyard Coop

“We just had a box of chicks show up, and [the whole box] is dead… This is just—happens repeatedly… Please, please do something for these poor animals.”   This spring has introduced new challenges to our sadly typical rescue request influx, as folks are not only panic-buying cleaning supplies and toilet paper, but now, it … Read more