Catskill Animal Sanctuary Receives $1.5 Million Matching Grant
Catskill Animal Sanctuary (Saugerties, New York 12477) announced today that they have been awarded a $1.5 Million Matching Grant from an anonymous donor.
Mirage, one of many blind animals who are happy, permanent residents of CAS
November 17, 2009
The funds will help expand their work to end cruelty to farm animals.
“This is a chance of a lifetime opportunity to realize our dreams,” says Catskill Animal Sanctuary founder and director Kathy Stevens.
The first $25,000 has already been used to increase operations for the group’s animal rescue efforts:
- 4,000 sq. feet of new shelter buildings have been added to their location
- New pastures have been added and existing ones expanded
- Animals in greatest need are being brought from around the region to CAS, where they will receive the personalized care for which the organization is noted
“This generous gift can double to provide us with $3 million dollars in a very short amount of time,” says Stevens. “With it, we will fast-forward our vision by funding the permanent expansion of our rescue programs and creating two innovative education programs designed to help people align their lifestyle with their values.”
CAS plans to expand their rescue program to serve the neediest of animals awaiting refuge. They will also launch “Camp Kindness” – a children’s program that teaches compassion for animals through first-hand experiences and “Compassionate Cuisine” – a series of programs developed by an on-site vegan chef that include workshops, cooking classes and gardening experiences.
The group has recently mounted an impassioned campaign to meet the match of the funder, by calling on all animal welfare advocates to join the effort to help them reach their vision of the future faster.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary provides a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected horses and farm animals. They also raise awareness about the impact of agribusiness and serve as an educational resource to schools, youth groups and other community organizations. Stevens’ book about the work of CAS, Where the Blind Horse Sings, has just been released in paperback and is available on Amazon.com.
Since 2001, CAS has provided refuge for over 1,700 desperately needy farm animals: horses, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, rabbits, turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese.
