Here we “goat” again! Catskill Animal Sanctuary (CAS), one of the world’s leading sanctuaries for
farmed animals — is pleased to announce that it will host the third annual Goat
Games. From August 12-15, CAS will be joined by 13 additional farmed animal
sanctuaries located throughout the U.S. that will rally the support of animal
lovers nationwide in support of their life-saving work. To register or make a
donation, visit thegoatgames.org.
While the goats don’t actually compete, human
athletes can sign up for an activity of their choosing – “whatever floats your
goat!” – to raise awareness and funds for the sanctuary team of their choice.
Participants can join this nationwide, virtual event from anywhere in the U.S.
“Covid did a number on us, as it did on
nonprofits around the world,” said Kathy Stevens, Founder and Executive Director
of Catskill Animal Sanctuary. “Funding plummeted overnight, while the urgent
needs of hundreds of animals remained the same. So in 2020, we created The Goat
Games as a way for animal lovers and athletes to support the work of farm
sanctuaries and the thousands of animals who call these special places home.
We’re thrilled to host The Goat Games again to raise funds for farmed animals
everywhere— and that need is more urgent than it’s ever been.”
Stevens explained that not only are sanctuaries
“just digging out, in year three” of the pandemic, but they’re doing it at a
time when the cost of everyday supplies is through the roof. “Grain cost is up.
Hay cost is up. Medical supply costs are up. The cost of building materials is
so high that a contractor suggested we not build anything.”
The Goat Games is a virtual event that
challenges human participants to run, walk, bike, hike, or complete any
activity of their choosing to raise money for a participating sanctuary. Each
sanctuary has selected a farm animal as their team captain, and “athletes” will
rally behind the farmed animal representing the sanctuary they want to
support.
“We want to inspire animal lovers around the
country to participate,” said Stevens. “Do whatever it is that you love – whether
it’s running, reading, volunteering or knitting! Once folks pick their activity, they simply
invite friends and family to support
them as they raise funds for their favorite sanctuary.”
In its first year, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
raised over $42,000. In 2021, CAS expanded The Games, inviting nine other farmed animal sanctuaries across
the country to join, as a way to build camaraderie and increase national
awareness of their life-saving work.? The consortium raised over $217,000 to
help rescued farmed animals. This year, they hope to increase that figure to
$260,000.
For info on the games and how to participate in supporting these sanctuaries, click here.
The participating sanctuaries in the 2022 Goat
Games include:
- Catskill Animal Sanctuary -
the hosting Sanctuary (Saugerties, NY)
- Alaqua Animal Refuge
(Freeport, FL)
- Farm Sanctuary (Watkins Glen,
NY & Acton, CA)
- Farmaste Animal Sanctuary
(Lindstrom, MN)
- Heartwood Haven (Wauna, WA)
- Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
(Mehoopany, PA)
- Iowa Farm Sanctuary (Oxford,
IA)
- Kindred Spirits Sanctuary
(Citra, FL)
- Little Bear Sanctuary (Punta
Gorda, FL)
- Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge
(Pittsboro, NC)
- River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary
(Spokane, WA)
- Safe Haven Rabbit Rescue
(Clinton, NJ)
- Wildwood Farm Sanctuary &
Preserve (Newberg, OR)
- Yesahcan Sanctuary, Inc.
(Arcadia, FL)
When 14 animal sanctuaries from across the
nation band together to make a collective impact there’s nothing they can’t
achieve. You’ve “goat to see it to believe it!” Funds raised through donations
and sponsorships will support the life-saving mission of each participating
sanctuary. For more information on The Goat Games 2022 including registering
and/or making a donation, visit thegoatgames.org.
About Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Founded in 2001, Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit, 150-acre
refuge in New York's Hudson Valley. It is home to eleven species of rescued
farmed animals with between 275 and 400 residents at any given time. In
addition to direct animal aid, the Sanctuary offers on-site tours, a weekly podcast, an award-winning vegan cooking program, and educational programs that advocate veganism as the very best way to
end animal suffering, improve human health, and heal an ailing planet.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary is the only U.S. farmed animal sanctuary with
highest honors and accreditations from: Charity Navigator (4 Stars), GuideStar (Platinum Rating), Better Business
Bureau, and GFAS: Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
For more information, call (845) 336-8447 or go to www.casanctuary.org.
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