Catskill Animal Sanctuary

We came here to visit two special pigs from a documentary coming out in 2016 «The Last Pig» named Audrey and Mario, and we knew it wasn’t just these two pigs that we would find meaningful only. The whole sanctuary itself is beautiful. Our tour guide could not have been better. I unfortunately forgot her name, but she wore a black top hat, and had a heart as big as the animals (some of the cows and pigs were pretty big!) The tour and the guide was connected as one, and she truly helped us understand how important animals are to us not as food, but as living being who feel love and pain.
The whole sanctuary was beautiful. The animals are well loved. There is no apprehension on the animals or staff reactions as you reach out to be closer and touch the animals… they were all welcoming and you can tell came from trust they have built with the sanctuary staff.
We will never forget the first impression we got when we pulled in and immediately encountered sheep and goats wandering around freely. We thought at first we had pulled into the wrong area of the sanctuary!
We were able to give little piglets belly rubs, and gently soothe some of the blind horses and a donkey who had their eyes removed as it was too painful for them. The trust they have to allow a strangers touch spoke volumes. We got to pet Mario who enjoyed the petting and let us know when we would stop, he would gently nudge the gate to tell us he wanted more! We would have stayed there all day, but the tour continued on!
The animals are so happy, and the place is so clean and well kept. Every day the hay is changed, and the place is taken care of well. The people here love these animals, and the animals love them back. It was emotional being there because you felt so much serenity and purpose.
Everyone should visit a place like this and decide on their own whether animals as food is correct. I can’t see myself being vegan any time soon, but I can however see myself dedicating certain days of the week for the rest of my life where I can go meatless. They encourage us that just trying a little counts for a lot.

There aren’t enough descriptive words to describe the experience my boyfriend and I had at the sanctuary this past weekend. Absolutely incredible on every level. We got to spend some time with Kathy, the founder. Our tour guide was great! The animals, of course, were the stars of the show. Please visit and open your eyes and ears to these wonderful creatures and connect with them… maybe reconsider your food choices.

CAS is absolutely wonderful. So many of the animals are incredibly friendly and love being pet! I pet as many as I was allowed to pet (that came out for pets, some refused to come out because they were much cooler in their sheds but them refusing to come out was sill funny, it was impossible for anyone to be upset with them for it). I never expected a goat to ask me for pets similar to how a dog does, or for a pig to make happy pig noises when she got belly rubs… also similar to how a dog would!
Before coming I was a bit worried they might be overly militant with the vegan message and turn off the omni family members I brought along but they weren’t like that at all. Our guide brought up going vegan a few times on the tour, and they had awesome vegan ice cream samples, but weren’t forcing it at all. The main focus was on the animals themselves along with good information about standard industrial farming practices (our guide wasn’t graphic with the descriptions either, possibly because we had children in our tour group). I’d love to go back anytime, but especially when it gets cooler and more of the animals are willing to say hello.

The Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a place overflowing with loving staff and volunteers who celebrate the lives of animals. I don’t agree at all with the person who gave this place 1 star, but from the looks of it, neither does anyone else, so there isn’t much to be said.
CAS is a place that EVERYONE should visit. I didn’t grow up as an animal lover necessarily, but I have grown to love and care for the welfare of our animals. I have never in my life interacted with animals the way I did when I was at CAS. These animals will challege your perspective on the intelligence, curiosity, and capacity for love that animals have. These animals will love you from the moment you sent foot on their land.
Make this trip a priority. Even if you don’t live a vegan lifestyle, you will find this to be a place that is deeply touching and honors the lives of all living things!

AMAZing! Life changing experience. Stayed at the homestead, Paulie room. Immaculate, clean the bathroom and products were great. Erica is the best! So friendly, helpful, social and delicious vegan waffles in the morning. It was truly an eye opening experience and made me more determined to shift from pesceterian to vegan. Even my cave man husband was moved. How can you not be?! Listen to the stories and come face to face with the truth behind agri-​business see the chicken cages and hear the back stories– how can you leave here not affected in someway ???
The animals are awesome and it’s an unforgettable experience. If I won the Lotto I would give the majority of it here ! Kathy Stevens’ books are emotional and life altering please consider reading them and donating to this amazing cause!
I would recommend for educational field trips too.
As for the negative review on here yes some of the females lay eggs occasionally but rarely because they are burnt out and are rescued from horrible situations– and they discard them, get over it — no reason to put a one start review about it. After they sheared the sheep they offered up the wool but no takers so they left It in the woods and the wild birds/​Animals used it for bedding. How can you even say negative things about such a fabulous place doing such good deeds– shame on you!

My boyfriend and I stayed at The Homestead on the Sanctuary property; we took the tour, and visited the animals on each day of our stay. The staff and volunteers are enthusiastic about the care and personality of each animal. It’s a fantastic place to learn about and observe chickens, sheep, goats, a donkey, bulls, ducks, cows, horses, roosters, rabbits, and pigs, and several really enjoy being pet. We highly recommend it!

Love, love, love the Catskill Animal Sanctuary! I came here on their last day of the 2014 season (for tours, that is) and fortunately, it was a beautiful fall day. Finding the CAS could not be easier, and you can count on being greeted by a bevy of friendly animals AND people! For a nominal fee (I can’t remember how much, but it’s benefiting the sanctuary, so I was happy to pay it), you are taken on a guided tour of the sanctuary (much like a farm). My tour guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable; she gave us the history of each animal (where they came from, how they got to the CAS, etc) and definitely shared some interesting insight into the maltreatment of animals. I’ve been vegan for some time (initially in an effort to be more healthy), so I’m familiar with the nature of factory farming, animal abuse, etc. Still, I learned quite a bit that I didn’t know before!
My favorite part of the visit was in the beginning. I was waiting beneath the tree for the tour to start and was able to hold a chicken, who sat so contently in my lap, all the while a goat was chewing on my hair. This definitely proved to be an up close and personal animal experience!
Though their touring season is over, they’re always posting to FB asking for volunteers. I’d imagine this would be similar to a tour, but WAY more hands on! It’s definitely on my list of things to do this winter.
So… would I do another tour? Yes, and I’d probably try to drag along some carnivorous friends/​family, as this is truly an eye-​opening experience!

I had been wanting to visit Catskill Animal Sanctuary for years and finally, I got my chance and even stayed at their B&B, the Homestead.
Alex greeted me when I arrived and even provided me amazingly delicious vegan chocolate chip crumb cake/​brownies. They were so good. He also recommended a great local spot with a delicious vegan menu.
As guests of the Homestead, we got to utilize their VIP passes which allowed us to walk around the sanctuary as we pleased. The animals are amazing here. It’s great to see how much space all of them get. You can tell they really care!
The Homestead itself was GORGEOUS. It was clean. The bathroom was immaculate. We stayed in the Paulie Room and I adored it, I didn’t want to leave. There is always fruit and water for guests as well as free wifi.
The next morning, Erica had made us breakfast (she had called prior to check if we had any food allergies which was really considerate). She had made these amazing vegan pancakes. Yum! Also, I got to try vegan Greek Yogurt for the first time (fan!).
We took a tour with Shaylana (I may be completely spelling her name wrong) but she was so nice, so friendly, and since we were the first ones there, we got a private tour. It was so much fun. We got to hear about all the animals and their back stories. I got to hold a chicken, Jailbird, saved from a meth operation (never in my life would I think I’d get to hold a chicken!!!). I got to cuddle up with some pigs and baby goats. She even told us that they’re expanding the sanctuary, including adding a vegan café! Cannot wait!
I’m definitely planning on returning and making a longer trip out of it next time. It was so relaxing to be up there and the air is so fresh. The sanctuary is so much fun. I could hang out there all day, reading, and cuddling up with the animals.
If you can just go for a tour, do it at least once in your life! It is an amazing experience!!!

I visited the for the Shindig event. I drove up with a few people from a meetup group, although I know there were some bus arrangements as well. I would definitely love to go back when there isn’t a big event and just check out the animals.
For the event, it can be a little crowded, but there were lots of vendors and cooking demos. The children really enjoyed it. Tours were arranged throughout the day. Guides told stories about the animals: how they were rescued, what they do now that they are on the farm. It’s so crazy how a few hours outside the city there are farms with animals.

We stopped at this place on the way up to Roxbury, New York, not really sure what to expect. This turned out to be a delightful and enjoyable way to spend a few hours!
This truly is a huge working farm full of animals that have been rescued from other places for various reasons and are now recuperating and living a much happier life here.
You go out on a walking tour (in very small groups) with a tour guide and the tour guide shows you all the different animals and gives you a back story on each of them (why they were rescued, age, general animal characteristics etc). The great thing is, you’re not just walking and looking at the animals, but you’re able to interact and touch with most of the animals (some you’re not able to for obvious safety reasons). You’re in the pig pen petting a huge pig, you’re scratching the goats ears, petting the horses, feeding other animals etc.
Our tour guide (I believe her name was Melissa!) was amazing. She was personable, knowledgeable, and very interactive. She didn’t rush us from one animal to the next, but, let us stay as long as we wanted and pet/​play with the animals. She answered all the questions that were asked and was just a good sport in general.
I don’t have any kids and loved this place. Don’t be fooled: CAS is not just a place to bring your children to. Our group was comprised of all adults except one couple who had a child and everyone had the time of their life.
The best part of this place are the 2 goats who wander the farm on their own and act like they run the place. You’ll never know where you’ll find the 2 goats!
Definitely worth the price of admission and even donating money once you see what a great thing they’re doing at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

Absolutely amazing trip!
I found out about this place via a meetup that had organized a bus tour but it was booked out so my boyfriend and I drove up ourselves today.
We had an awesome time, came just in time for the last tour at 2:30.
It was a small group and towards the end it was just the tour guide and the two of us as the other members had small kids with an attention span of less than 90 minutes.
We got to hold the large and gentle rooster! Amazing.
The entire tour was informative but not preachy at all. Yes, we also had the tour guide that was not a vegan but so what? I eat milk and eggs myself and see life as a journey. As you learn you evolve. So if you are a meat eater and afraid that this place will try a hard sell on veganism do not worry. This is not what it is about.
You will learn a few things about the US agribusiness that may be hard to stomach for those that have no clue, but in the end you will leave empowered to make better choices for yourself and loved ones.
The animals are all amazing. Many were actually rescued not from farms but from animal hoarders. Did not know such a thing existed. It’s amazing to learn about their individual stories and to be able to get close to these gentle creatures.
We especially liked the donkey senior and the goat that climbed on our tour guides back and then stood on his shoulders!
Will absolutely go back and visit again.
The visitor hut is small and sells a few books, some nice T shirts and cards. It would have been nice to be able to purchase some snacks or drinks there.
At the end of the tour we got some amazing vegan cookie treats filled with cashew butter. If those had been for sale I would have purchased a box!
Highly recommend this place.

A wonderful place to visit if you just want to see some beautiful, rescued farm animals or if you are interested in educating yourself about contemporary farming practices and what impacts they have on animals.
You can take a tour or just wander around. We took a tour and our guide was happy to take what ended up being just my wife and I around to meet the animals, get a little bit of their background story, and even feed a few. It was fun.
This would be a great place to bring kids, as they can interact with the animals and get to romp around on a farm. Many of the animals you can get close to, and pet, but some are better left alone due to their heartbreaking backstories. No animals that aren’t 100% safe roam around, anything you come across you can greet.

The grounds are beautiful and the animals are well cared for. It is truly a blessing what the sanctuary is doing, and we will definitely be back. While I think our tour guide was a very nice fellow — his presentation was meandering, and he really should be vegan. Another of the staff was extremely rude and aggressive when my son sat on their tractor. In the context of such a non-​violent environment, these two things seemed out of place.

Loved everything about my visit-​! Rebecca, the current Program Director did the tour and was great. Loved the goat, Jimmy!
You are more than welcome to touch the animals, in fact, you are encouraged. The plight if each along the tour is so bittersweet. They are well-​cared for by a great team of volunteers and staff; it shows.

Author Kathy Stevens runs this vegan Shangri-​La for rescued farm animals. Meet the animals and stay the night at their beautifully renovated farm house less than 2 hours from NYC. Sleep beneath a thick blanket of stars and wake to their rooster alarm clock. Ahhh, aren’t you relaxed already?

Is it possible to fall in love at first sight with a turkey? It is if you meet CAS resident Henrietta. Henrietta is a GMO turkey hardly able to carry her own weight but come heck or high water that sweet birdie will come over and want to meet you. She loves scratchie butt, by the way. I had the pleasure of meeting her as well as many of her rescued formerly abused and neglected friends on a beautiful recent sunny afternoon. CAS is home to farm animals who are so lucky to be given a happy life thanks to the tireless and exhausting efforts of CAS’s dedicated staff of volunteers. It was a really moving experience to learn about their organization and meet the critters and learn more about living a compassionate life. There are day trips out of NYC volunteer opportunities as well as farm tours and a summer camp for kids. All great things! They also do adoptions of the animals after a lengthy and time well spent application process. Could a goat or three be in our future???