Jennifer Tripucka 
Tucked away on a quiet country road in Saugerties, New York, the Catskill Animal Sanctuary is not your typical farm. Instead of raising animals for food or profit, this 150-acre property provides lifelong refuge to hundreds of rescued farm animals from all over the country. All of these sweet creatures are living the life of their dreams, surrounded by willow trees, open acreage, and caring humans. The Local Girl team got a chance to visit recently and wanted to share the beautiful work they do as a non-profit organization since 2001 (and yes, they’re open for visitors through November on weekends!).
Founded by Kathen Stevens, a former high school English teacher, the sanctuary began as her dream rooted in compassion. After witnessing the realities of industrial farming, Kathy left the classroom and set out to create a space for animals often overlooked: cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and horses. Two decades later, Kathy, recently retired, has built a beautiful legacy at the sanctuary that has grown into one of the nation’s leading farm animal sanctuaries, caring for more than 300 residents at any given time and welcoming thousands of visitors each year.
A Mission Rooted in Compassion
From the beginning, Kathy envisioned CAS as more than just a rescue. “Saving animals is only half of what we do,” she said. “The other half is saving people, by opening hearts and minds.” Through immersive tours, school programs, and volunteer opportunities, CAS encourages visitors to see farm animals not as commodities, but as beings with emotions and intelligence of their own.
Read More: Animal Shelters + Rescue Organizations to Support in New Jersey
On any given day visiting, you might meet Milton, the gentle cow rescued from the dairy industry who loves pets, or Quincy, the rooster who lets his lady friend Vanessa (a hen) fully eat her breakfast before he gently finishes his food. Walking around the sanctuary, you’ll spot Trudy, the mini donkey who is 22, and Miracle, 18, her daughter that she had birthed soon after she came to the sanctuary.
Many animals are rescued around the country, some as close as the Catskill Game Farm, where Trudy was rescued, to hoarding situations like Cricket, the elderly horse and a brood of chickens from Colorado (where they were left in a “cage free” building packed in wall to wall with hundreds of others). Today, they’re all living peacefully in harmony on the sanctuary.
Education Through Experience
The Catskill Animal Sanctuary has become a living classroom where empathy and education intersect. The team regularly hosts guided tours, children’s programs, and vegan cooking demos, all designed to help people make more conscious choices about animals and the planet.
Many of the staff come from animal-welfare and environmental backgrounds, and are able to share firsthand how the sanctuary’s work ties into border issues such as factory farming, climate change, and food sustainability — all without judgment. “We meet people where they are,” Kathy often says. “Our goal is not to shame, but to invite curiosity.”
Beyond its educational outreach, CAS has become an important part of the Hudson Valley community, drawing both locals and visitors from the tri-state area for weekend tours, volunteer days, and special events. It also operates The Homestead, an on-site vegan bed-and-breakfast, providing guests with a full-circle sanctuary experience, waking up to the sounds of roosters instead of alarms and sharing breakfast with panoramic farm views.
CAS’s work has been featured in major outlets and recognized by organizations like PETA and VegNews, but at its core, it remains deeply personal. Every donation, tour ticket, and volunteer hour goes directly toward animal care: feed, veterinary services, and ongoing habitat improvements.
How to Visit
The Catskill Animal Sanctuary is open for public tours seasonally, typically from spring through fall, with advance reservations recommended. Visitors can explore at their own pace, book a guided tour, or even stay overnight at The Homestead. To learn more or plan a visit, head to casanctuary.org.
Donations to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary directly support the daily care, feeding, and veterinary needs of more than 300 rescued farm animals. Supporters can contribute online through the Donate page at casanctuary.org, where both one-time and recurring gifts are accepted.
The sanctuary, located at 316 Old Stage Road in Saugerties, NY (EIN 14-1827972), also participates in employer matching gift programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for animals who have found a safe home for life.
CAS also welcomes in-kind donations and sponsorship opportunities, allowing individuals and families to symbolically “adopt” an animal and follow their story throughout the year.
How to Volunteer
CAS welcomes volunteers year-round, from individuals to groups who want to lend a hand and make a difference. Opportunities range from hands-on animal care and barn maintenance to gardening, event support, and visitor education. Training is provided for all new volunteers, and shifts can be scheduled for a few hours or on a recurring basis.
To get started, interested volunteers can fill out a short form on the Volunteer page at casanctuary.org/volunteer.
See More: This New Jersey Local Flew Across the East Coast for an Animal Rescue Mission
Whether it’s mucking stalls, leading a tour, or helping with seasonal events, each volunteer plays a vital role in keeping the sanctuary thriving, and in sharing its message of compassion with every visitor who walks through the gates.
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