I was recently honored with an invitation to tour the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and experience a stay at their vegan guesthouse, The Homestead At Catskill Animal Sanctuary (Homestead Guesthouse). Eagerly accepting their kind offer, I packed my bags and embarked on a picturesque drive from my home in Massachusetts to the Catskills region of upstate New York. This area is renowned for its stunning hiking trails, skiing opportunities, majestic mountains, and rolling hills. My three-and-a-half-hour journey led me to Saugerties, New York, where I arrived mid-morning, ready to explore this unique haven.
First Impressions: The Charm of The Homestead Guesthouse
Upon arrival, The Homestead Guesthouse not only met but exceeded my expectations. It presented a remarkably pleasant and tranquil setting. This pre-Civil War home has been beautifully renovated using eco-friendly materials, adding to its charm. Guests have a choice of several rooms, from a suite complete with a living room and kitchen to smaller, cozy rooms with queen or double beds. I was fortunate to be given the largest room: The Rambo Room. This spacious accommodation boasted a king-size bed and three large, sunny windows, filling the room with light. Exposed brick walls, wide wooden floors, and beautiful quilts and furnishings created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Each room is thoughtfully named after an animal resident from the Sanctuary, a touching detail that connects the guesthouse to its compassionate mission.
Exterior view of The Homestead at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a pre-Civil War guesthouse with eco-friendly renovations, nestled in Saugerties, NY.
Spacious Rambo Room at The Homestead guesthouse, featuring a king-size bed, exposed brick, and sunny windows, part of a unique stay at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Downstairs, the guesthouse offers common areas for relaxation and socializing. Guests can unwind with a book in the spacious living room or watch television.
Cozy living room at The Homestead at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, inviting guests to relax and read.
The large kitchen features a cooking area where the chef prepares delicious vegan meals, a long table where guests enjoy breakfast, and counter space stocked with tea and juice.
Large, welcoming kitchen at The Homestead guesthouse, where vegan meals are prepared for visitors to Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Exploring Woodstock: Vegan Delights and Local Charm
After settling in and unpacking, I headed to the neighboring town of Woodstock, New York. My first stop was Oriole9 Restaurant, a popular downtown spot known for its vegan-friendly breakfast options. I savored the Curried Coconut Tofu, a delightful dish of tofu, tomato, oyster mushrooms, spinach, and potato, served with a side of greens and toast. My green tea latte with soymilk perfectly complemented this hearty and tasty meal.
Hearty Curried Coconut Tofu breakfast from Oriole9 restaurant in Woodstock, NY, a vegan-friendly dining option near Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
The rest of my morning was spent strolling through the town center, visiting various shops and galleries. Timbuktu Shop an eclectic gift shop, caught my eye with its selection of vegan items, including wallets and handbags by Shag, Lavishy, and Queen Bee.
Selection of vegan wallets by Shag, Lavishy, and Queen Bee available at Timbuktu gift shop in Woodstock, NY.
Colorful vegan handbags on display at Timbuktu, a unique Woodstock shop offering ethical products.
In the heart of town, visitors can also enjoy the natural beauty of gushing waterfalls at the Woodstock Waterfall Park.
Gushing waterfalls at Woodstock Waterfall Park, a scenic attraction in the Catskills region.
I paid a short visit to a charming pottery shop showcasing the work of several local craftsmen. It was filled with beautiful vases, dishes, bowls, mugs, and carved artistic pieces.
Handcrafted pottery by local artisans displayed in a Woodstock shop, showcasing regional crafts.
To my delight, I stumbled upon Peace, Love, & Cupcakes, a cupcake shop that, by sheer luck, offered a couple of vegan flavors. That day, they featured a banana cupcake with extra fudgy buttercream frosting. I couldn’t resist purchasing one of these delectable treats, and it was absolutely yummy!
Delectable vegan banana cupcake with fudgy buttercream from Peace, Love, & Cupcakes in Woodstock.
Woodstock’s downtown area is also home to several art galleries. I visited one that displayed unique contemporary art “mini-paintings,” showcasing the town’s vibrant arts scene.
Unique contemporary mini-paintings exhibited in a Woodstock art gallery, reflecting the town’s artistic spirit.
Interesting signs are proudly displayed all over town, recognizing historic landmarks, figures, or events, adding to Woodstock’s distinctive character.
An interesting informational sign typical of those found throughout historic Woodstock, NY.
Culinary Adventures in the Catskills
A morning of sightseeing gave way to lunchtime. I decided to eat my mid-day meal at Garden Cafe in downtown Woodstock. This all-vegan restaurant offers some fabulous menu selections, and its walls are covered with decorative and unique art.
Decorative and unique artwork adorning the walls of the all-vegan Garden Cafe in Woodstock.
For a mid-day beverage, I selected the Vivacious Violet Smoothie, a blend of vanilla soymilk, chocolate soy ice cream, blueberries, and bananas. They also offered a tempting pumpkin coffeecake and other vegan desserts.
Vivacious Violet Smoothie and vegan pumpkin coffeecake served at Garden Cafe, a vegan culinary haven.
My entree was the Garden Bowl, consisting of cashew vegetable korma, coconut rice, and sauteed greens. I thoroughly enjoyed this flavorful and satisfying meal.
The Garden Bowl entree featuring cashew vegetable korma and coconut rice at Garden Cafe in Woodstock.
After a late afternoon lunch, I returned to the Homestead Guesthouse. I took a short walk around the main barn area to see some of the animals before they settled in for the night. Being a huge pig admirer, I stood outside the barn and called out, “Here…piggy piggy! Here piggy piggy!” To my absolute joy, four pigs ran out from the barn to greet me! That truly made my day.
Four friendly pigs from Catskill Animal Sanctuary running to greet a visitor near the barn.
Back in the guesthouse, I snacked on a piece of the wonderful chocolate chip coffeecake the chef had made.
Delicious homemade vegan chocolate chip coffeecake served at The Homestead at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
After a short nap, it was time for dinner. I drove to New World Home Cooking, a vegan-friendly restaurant in Saugerties. For dinner, I chose the blue corn crusted seitan cutlets in tomato sauce, served with black beans, brown rice, yams, and greens. This filling, gourmet meal was delicious. If you’re seeking a night out with music and eclectic gourmet cuisine, this is the place.
Gourmet blue corn crusted seitan cutlets dinner at New World Home Cooking in Saugerties.
For dessert, I opted for the vegan pear crisp. It was warm, moist, and fruity, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Warm and fruity vegan pear crisp dessert from New World Home Cooking, a sweet end to a Catskills day.
I returned to my accommodations for the evening and slept soundly in my comfortable room at The Homestead.
A Morning at The Homestead and the Sanctuary Tour
Erica, one of the managers at The Homestead, prepared a delicious breakfast of “Perfect Pancakes” for me. Drizzled with maple syrup and soy butter, they were accompanied by coconut banana strawberry vegan yogurt, fresh orange juice, and hot green tea. It was a lovely and absolutely scrumptious meal to start the day.
Delicious ‘Perfect Pancakes’ with maple syrup, soy butter, and vegan yogurt served at The Homestead at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
After breakfast, I was given a tour of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary by Kathy Stevens, the Founder and Director. She is the author of two insightful books on farm animal issues. The Sanctuary raises public awareness of animal suffering and is one of the USA’s top refuges for rescued farm animals. An individual $40 membership allows members to tour the sanctuary and includes eligibility to reserve a room at The Homestead guesthouse at the room’s advertised rate. The CAS staff are kind, helpful, and ready to answer questions about individual animal residents.
We met at the solar-panel heated main barn near the sanctuary entrance. It’s common for sheep, goats, chickens, and even pigs to wander over to greet you in the parking lot or along the fields. Many animals, including several pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens, stay in the heated barn overnight.
The solar-panel heated main barn at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a refuge for rescued farm animals.
As Kathy and I began to chat about the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a herd of sheep came frolicking by, playing and chasing each other just like children. Kathy knew them all by name. She explained how farm animals rescued from slaughterhouse trucks or taken from hoarders find their way here. Her words and emotions clearly showed her deep care for every sentient being living at the Sanctuary. CAS also hosts events to educate people about the cruelty and suffering farm animals endure before being rescued.
A herd of playful sheep frolicking in a field at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, embodying the joy of rescue.
Kathy then offered me the chance to hold one of the roosters! Emmett, a gorgeous, colorful rooster, made me feel completely at ease as I held him.
Visitor holding Emmett, a gorgeous colorful rooster, during a tour of Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
We walked to a spot where several pigs were enjoying their morning playtime, with plenty of space to roam. Kathy sat down in the grassy field and called out to a couple of the pigs. They came rushing over, and she cuddled and stroked them lovingly.
Kathy Stevens, founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, cuddling with rescued pigs in a grassy field.
My heart filled with emotion as Kathy told me the story of the horses we encountered next. They had been badly abused and injured, and their eyes had been removed to alleviate severe pain and suffering. Despite their past, the horses seemed content at the animal sanctuary, maneuvering around the field with apparent ease. It was heart-warming to see how gentle they were as I stroked their manes. The loving environment at CAS provides a haven for these horses to feel safe and cherished.
A gentle, blind rescued horse at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, finding peace and love in its new home.
Next on our agenda was a tour inside the main barn. There, I met a group of goats enjoying their morning breakfast of hay, straight from a wheelbarrow. Again, these gentle beings allowed me to pat them on the back.
Rescued goats enjoying their morning breakfast of hay in the main barn at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Within an attached barn, I met a large pig named Moses. Since it was a rather cold morning, he was still resting under a pile of hay to keep warm. I was thrilled to sit in the hay beside him and stroke his face! What a precious piggy.
Visitor gently stroking Moses, a large rescued pig resting in hay at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
As we headed back outside, we found Sister Mary Francis, a smaller pot-bellied pig. I had the opportunity to take a photo with this adorable piggy too! She enjoyed frolicking on the spacious grounds, seeking food and fresh air. Moses and Sister Mary are so gentle and sweet. Meeting them truly made my day!
Visitor posing with Sister Mary Francis, an adorable pot-bellied pig at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Among the 300 animal residents at CAS, there are many ducks and chickens. Muscovy ducks, a unique breed with bright red beaks, resemble turkeys.
A unique Muscovy duck with a bright red beak, one of many bird species at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
The expansive grounds include several barns to house the animals in chilly weather, large grassy fields for them to run and play, and a pond for the ducks. A forested and mountainous background provides a soothing and scenic environment for both animals and visitors.
Expansive grassy field at Catskill Animal Sanctuary with a scenic forested and mountainous background.
Ducks enjoying a serene pond on the grounds of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, highlighting the natural environment.
After my tour, I wandered on my own for a while, spending more time with the animals. Before heading back home to Massachusetts, I returned to Woodstock for my mid-day meal. Taco Juan’s offers several vegan options, and many of their Mexican menu items can be made vegan. I opted for the Taco Bowl, containing tofu, black beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions, with tortilla chips encircling the entree. The meal was incredibly flavorful! My beverage was a cinnamon hot apple cider, which was quite tasty as well.
Flavorful vegan Taco Bowl from Taco Juan’s in Woodstock, a satisfying meal after visiting the sanctuary.
A Memorable Weekend Getaway
My weekend at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and The Homestead At Catskill Animal Sanctuary was truly delightful. Meeting the good-natured and precious animals there touched my heart deeply; all of them were so sweet and adorable. I thoroughly enjoyed the insightful tour given by Kathy. Knowing that someone genuinely cares about the plight of these animals and is doing such important work for the cause was incredibly reassuring. The vegan-friendly Homestead Guesthouse provided a wonderful accommodation experience with its comfortable rooms and delicious vegan breakfasts. The art galleries, picturesque vistas, and vegan-friendly shops and restaurants in the Catskill Mountains region also contributed to a very pleasant stay. I wholeheartedly encourage any compassionate vegan to visit the Catskill Animal Sanctuary to meet the charming animals and to enjoy an overnight stay at the spacious and comfortable Homestead Guesthouse!
