Catskill Animal Sanctuary: A Refuge for the Hoofed and Beaked Among Us
by Gretchen Primack

When most Hudson Valley residents and visitors imagine their local animal shelter, they picture a tail-wagging terrier or a calico kitten. But Saugerties is home to a different type of animal rescue altogether: Catskill Animal Sanctuary. CAS is a 105-acre haven for abused horses and farm animals. Though these animals were once intimately familiar with the worst humanity has to offer, their lives now resemble a children's bedtime story, wherein Rambo the ram nuzzles Mr. Peepers the duck, and a couple of potbellied pigs snuffle by. But this is for real, and has taken untold patience, energy, and no doubt love.

Through care and training, the 130 residents of CAS are now happy, well-adjusted ambassadors of their species. The most recent rescue, in February, brought 20 starving, dehydrated horses from a Schoharie county property; one horse was too ill to save, but the other 19 have been rapidly gaining strength and responsiveness. The community has answered the call of these creatures. CAS volunteers helped quickly build a 2,000-square-foot pole barn to shelter them, and many more have offered to foster and otherwise help with their care.

CAS has a visitors' center and farm tours open to the public every weekend in the spring, summer, and fall. Many residents and weekenders make it a regular stop. "I never imagined I'd get kissed on the cheek by a cow, or fall in love with the personality of a goat, but now it happens to everyone I bring to CAS," says Gus Mueller, a Hurley resident.

"We love to see how moved our visitors are," says CAS Director Kathy Stevens, whose love of animals and background in education made her want to combine the two. "Animals who've never known kindness or security heal so very quickly here, and do a great job of dispelling the many myths about farm animals. Most people wouldn't believe that, for instance, a sheep could (or would) spend the night lying by a sick pig, or run to the parking lot to greet new guests. But that's what our Rambo does." Stevens hopes that the Sanctuary is a place of profound self-discovery for humans, and credits some "pretty remarkable creatures" with encouraging visitors to examine their lifestyles and how our personal choices impact the animal kingdom.

In its short history, CAS has already taken in over 370 animals via the police, the State Humane Association, or from individuals. The sanctuary's first charge, a miniature horse named Dino, was the sole survivor of a Brooklyn stable arson back in 2000. Tiny Dino, who is currently 130 in human years, kicked out his stall and was dragged to safety; he suffered permanent lung and eye damage, but shows no sign of slowing down.

Now that Catskill Animal Sanctuary is well-established, the calls come in regularly—starving horses; 13 abandoned goats; a rooster stuffed in a mailbox in the Bronx. CAS takes in as many as possible, keeping in mind a healthy staff ratio and the rising cost of feed and vet bills. "We help keep costs low by relying on wonderful volunteers to fill out our small staff," says Stevens, "but unfortunately we still turn down animals every day."

Space does arise when animals are adopted by community members who have gone through a rigorous application process. These adoptions are real success stories, and a tribute to the love and care the animals receive at CAS. Take for instance the story of an old horse named Chance, who arrived at the sanctuary suffering severe psychological damage. Chance had been kept in a stall for nine years without once being let out. Her manure was packed six feet high and she was terrified of people. But with time, patience, and love, Chance began to drop her defenses. Still, Stevens assumed she'd be among the "lifers"—older special-needs animals who live out their days at CAS. But an especially skilled and compassionate volunteer fell in love with her—and took her home. "Imagine my surprise! We literally wept with joy," said Stevens.

Stevens emphasizes the importance of families like Chance's who adopt CAS animals, since "there's a whole line of needy animals waiting to come in."

Catskill Animal Sanctuary is located at 316 Old Stage Road, Saugerties, NY 12477. Weekend tours offer information and up-close encounters with horses, goats, donkeys, pigs, cows, sheep, chickens and more. For more information, go to www.casanctuary.org or call (845) 336-8447.

Ways to Help the Animals

If you've never felt a pig "snouting you" or a rooster begging at your feet for a bite of the food you're snacking on; or felt the purr of a cat or set a dog's tail in motion, you're missing out. Here are some ways you too can experience these or other joys of the human/non-human animal bond:

Be a volunteer. Catskill Animal (CAS) and other animal rescue groups and shelters are always looking for people who can put in some hours each week. At CAS, you can feed the animals, help build a new barn, be a Saturday "greeter" to visitors, or help with whatever else is needed. Dutchess SPCA, and other animal rescue groups need dog-walkers, people to help with adoptions, with cleaning cages and pens, and others who can provide "foster" homes. Pets Alive in Middletown also needs volunteers to help feed and clean after their many farm and companion animals.

Adopt an animal. Bring the joy right to your home by adopting a needy animal. CAS and other rescue groups and shelters, including Dutchess SPCA and Animalkind, Inc., have many wonderful animals for the RIGHT person. You may be just the person for an aging goat or a rambunctious kitten—or not. First assess your lifestyle and think of what animal might suit you and that animal, now and into the future. If you cannot provide adequate outside shelter for a farm animal, that animal is not for you. Not to worry, though, people at CAS and the other rescuers know what their animals (and you) need.

Sponsor an animal. If you can't adopt, sponsor. CAS has a monthly sponsorship program which ranges from about $10 per month for a chicken to up to $100 a month for a horse. You will be providing that animal's basic needs: grain, hay and bedding. Other shelters, such as Animalkind, will work out fee schedules to sponsor companion animals.

Help a feral cat. Animalkind has feral cat and spay-neuter programs to help control the overwhelming overpopulation of unwanted cats. Some caretakers feed colonies of spayed and neutered cats each day. Your help is needed.

Donate. All this work and effort costs money. If you can't provide cash, ask for what else they may need (blankets, hay, food, newspapers, etc.).

Help a stray. If you find a stray, call one of the rescue groups or a dog control officer for help, depending on the situation. You can find the names of dog wardens by calling the local Town Hall or veterinarian.

Shelters. If all else fails call a "no kill" shelter in the area: Dutchess SPCA (845-452-1640), is very crowded although they are worth a try; or call Columbia-Greene Humane Society (518-828-6044). In Middletown, try Pets Alive at 363 Derby Road, or call 845-386-9738 or 845 386-5408, or visit www.petsalive.org. Pets Alive shelters farm animals as well as companion animals. A caveat—many shelters don't take feral cats.

Rescue groups. Animalkind, Inc.can be reached at P. O. Box 902, Hudson, New York or at their website www.all-creatures.org/ak. Or you can visit Animalkind's store or shelter, AristoPets, 721 Warren Street in Hudson. Another local group PANT (Partnership for Animals Needing Transition) can be reached at P.O. Box 143, Salt Point, NY 845-486-7075.

—Constance Young