“Free For Flock Or Stew Pot”

As spring blooms into summer here in the Hudson Valley, the messages have already started — unwanted roosters need homes by the dozen. At Catskill Animal Sanctuary, we are no strangers to this heartbreaking reality. Each year, well-intentioned individuals find themselves with roosters they never intended to have. The birds are often offered to us … Read more

Deceptive Labels — Don’t Buy It!

We recently came across a thought-provoking article on Vox titled “Undercover audio of a Tyson employee reveals “free-range” chicken is meaningless”. As an organization deeply committed to protecting the lives of farmed animals, we felt compelled to address this investigation and to share our perspective on deceptive labeling within the food industry. The investigation conducted … Read more

Uniting Hearts and Hooves: Celebrating Pride at Catskill Animal Sanctuary

In a year marked by challenges and adversity, it is more important than ever to come together as a community and create safe spaces where everyone can find solace, joy, and support. At Catskill Animal Sanctuary, we are thrilled to announce our first ever Pride Day, a special event dedicated to celebrating our LGBTQIA friends … Read more

From Heartbreak to Hope: Saving Mother Animals and Their Babies

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the love and nurturing we receive from the special people in our lives. But this year at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Mother’s Day feels even more poignant as we welcome our new sheep mothers and their babies, spending their first spring with us enveloped in love. Watching the lambs—who … Read more

From Henry to Millions: The Loss of Individuality in the Bird Flu Crisis

Recently, The New York Times published an opinion piece by David Quammen titled, “Why Dead Birds Are Falling From the Sky”, which highlighted the importance of addressing the current widespread outbreak and the dangers posed by avian influenza or bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI). Mr. Quammen focused on the devastating impact of … 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

Rescue Alert: Twins For Twosday!

On February 22nd, the team at Catskill Animal Sanctuary welcomed home three sets of twins — and two mamas. It was one of the busiest rescue days we’ve had at the Sanctuary in a long time. First thing on Tuesday morning, we welcomed twin newborn calves, rescued from a dairy farm — and an hour … Read more

4 Reasons Why You Should Sponsor A Turkey For Thanksgiving

Turkeys know their names, recognize their friends, and will run with excitement to their favorite people. Turkeys are love on two legs. Their amazing capacity to express warmth and compassion blows people away— we see it all the time! Just like any other animal, turkeys feel joy, pain, fear, and love. This is why we … Read more

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